Mellencamp yanked from playlist

PHOENIX – It may be “Our Country,” but it’s John Mellencamp’s song.

When the liberal rocker found out his songs were being played at events for Republican John McCain’s presidential campaign, Mellencamp’s publicist sent a letter that questioned the campaign’s playlist.

“Are you sure you want to use his music to promote Senator McCain’s efforts?” said the letter sent to McCain’s campaign Monday.

McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers said Thursday that the songs would no longer be played. He declined to elaborate.

The letter explained that Mellencamp was a liberal who had supported Democrat John Edwards. Publicist Bob Merlis said Mellencamp told him that the situation made him uncomfortable, and he couldn’t imagine McCain would want to be associated with him.

Mellencamp songs that had been played at McCain’s events included “Our Country” and “Pink Houses.”