'Small Town' Movement to Draft John Cougar Mellencamp for Senate Gaining Steam

He's been John Cougar, John Mellencamp and John Cougar Mellencamp. But now many Indiana voters want to bestow a new name on the crooner: Sen. John Cougar Mellencamp.

In the days following Indiana Senator Evan Bayh's shocking announcement that he will not seek a third term, a grassroots movement to recruit the musician has picked up serious steam.

Twitter is blowing up with tweets of support and a facebook group titled "Draft John Mellencamp for Senate!" has more than 4,500 members. According to ABC News, John Patterson, 57, a former Kansas Democratic congressional campaign advisor and Mellencamp fan, created the Facebook group in the hours after Bayh’s news — and quickly discovered that a whole lot of folks think it's a pretty great idea.

“Right away, people took it and ran,” Patterson said of the group. “As long as we don’t get any Shermanistic ‘I’m not going to serve if elected’ from Mellencamp, we’re gonna roll with it.”

On its face, the Mellencamp movement makes a lot of sense. Sure, he's a singer, but wrestlers and actors have been elected, so why not? Mellencamp has always had a gift for crafting songs that seem to capture the working-class heart of America seemingly inspired by his home state. Lest you forgot, his classic ditties include "Jack and Diane," "Pink Houses" and "Small Town."

Plus, he's a dedicated leftie activist who co-founded Farm Aid, which raises money for Midwestern farmers.

So, what does Mellencamp think of this grassroots campaign, and will he actually throw his trucker hat in the ring? Like a true musician, he's playing it cool — for now.

“He has no reaction/comment to offer at this time but, yes, he's aware of these efforts,” his agent, Bob Merlis, cryptically told ABC News by e-mail.

Perhaps Mellencamp is huddled in one of his "Pink Houses" trying to figure out his next move.

Photo courtesy of Martin Overstrom via Wikimedia Commons