TURNING THE POLITICAL PARTIES INTO "PAR-TAYS"
Some people may have enjoyed riveting performances by Jon Secada and Emilio Estefan at the Republican National Convention, but not Robi Rosa. The songwriter and former Menudo member lashed out at the GOP for exploiting the Latin community.
Said Rosa in a statement: "It is perverse that the Republicans are trying to forge a connection to the Latin community with the use of my song, 'The Cup Of Life/La Copa De La Vida,' and by parading famous Latinos on stage."
Rosa said three-quarters of the GOP delegates had income in excess of $1 million a year. He said: "I don't see the connection at all… I can't wait to see what famous Puerto Rican they are going to pull out of their closet when they campaign in NYC." Rosa co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca" for his former bandmate Ricky Martin, as well as Sisqo's family-values sing-along, "The Thong Song."
Rosa has yet to comment on George W. Bush and Dick Cheney's selection of Billy Ray Cyrus' "We The People" as their theme song. The song features Montgomery Gentry, John Anderson, Waylon Jennings, Danni Leigh and Yankee Grey.
"We The People, " which appears on Cyrus' upcoming "Southern Rain" album, includes the lyrics: "The farmers rise up every morning at five/The truckers drive their 18-wheelers all night/The factory workers, they build it with pride/24-seven down the assembly line/In every city, in every town/Somebody's got to make the world go round."
The Democrats, meanwhile, had to nix plans to adopt "If You're Happy And You Know It Clap Your Hands," for fear any movement would shatter Vice President Al Gore and frighten voters.
Bleeding-heart liberals Jimmy Buffett, Bette Midler, Don Henley, Sheryl Crow, Glen Frey, Jon Bon Jovi, Lenny Kravitz, Macy Gray and Crosby, Stills & Nash have all signed on for "The Concert," a Democratic National Committee fund-raiser to take place Sept. 14 at New York's Radio City Music Hall.
Meantime, Jewel has come out in support of the Democrats' announcement that Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman has been chosen as Gore's running mate. The folkie took the stage Tuesday night (8/8) in Nashville in honor of the first Jewish vice presidential candidate.
Democratic sources denied reports that Lieberman had said he'd "like to be the one to put the ‘Jew' in Jewel" as obvious Republican attempts to defame the Senator.
