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The National Get Facebook 'Hate Mail' For Supporting Obama

Keith Klenowski

Rock band The National performed two dates in their home state of Ohio earlier this week as part of the GottaVote campaign, but their support for Barack Obama has earned them some criticism.

In an interview with Ohio State University publication The Lantern, singer Matt Berninger said the 2012 Presidential election is extremely important.

"Personally, we feel that the stakes are even higher this (election) than they were last time, in many ways," he said. "A lot of the people I grew up with who are very conservative feel a little bit alienated by the current sort of version of the Republican party. I think many of them don't feel represented by the Republican party anymore... so there's more at stake this time, just with the way the whole political landscape has shifted."

Berninger also added that the group, who supported Barack Obama in 2008 and whose song "Mr. November" -- the closing track on their 2005 album Alligator -- ended up being made into an Obama t-shirt slogan, have gotten some criticism for their stance. But he feels passionate about the band's collective stance.

"This is more important than a rock band," he said. "I know we've gotten responses from people (who) don't like the fact that we've taken a position on it, and I don't actually think artists or musicians necessarily have a responsibility to do that. But in our case, the five of us... talked about it and we were like, 'Yeah, it's worth it, for sure.'"

The band performed a brief set at the two Ohio stops in Columbus and Cincinnati, but also took time out to help students register to vote, assisting them with filling out different documents and paperwork at Ohio State University, the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. On September 1 The National also performed at a campaign stop by Obama in Ames, Iowa. Guitarist Aaron Dessner says the band has received some "hate mail on Facebook" from some people.

Regardless, Berninger -- who does really "want my rock music to be political" -- says university students will play a crucial role in this election, provided they first do the necessary paperwork to enable them to mark their ballots.

"It's their world that's being shaped and it's their lives being decided right now, by, quite frankly, older generations," he said. "It's their voice that needs to be heard because they're the ones who will most benefit or suffer from that."

On the recording front, The National are in the studio working on new material which will be the follow-up to their highly acclaimed 2010 album High Violet. Although no other campaign concerts or stops are confirmed yet, The National will play in New York City on Oct. 30 as part of the Freedom to Love Now concert with Rufus Wainwright, Fun. and They Might Be Giants among others. The band will also perform at All Tomorrow's Parties in Great Britain in December, the festival they are curating this year. The ATP lineup includes Kathleen Edwards, Owen Pallett, Hayden, Buke and Gase, Sharon Van Etten and Deerhoof among many others.

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Art&Arleen

Not hate mail. Send a Sympathy card.

October 07 2012 at 7:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
victorianrose12

You deserve what you get if Obama is re-elected. Higher taxes, more national debt
( in the trillions). You'll see a Pres. Obama NOT fulfilling his promises, his duties
etc. . You've given him what he wanted a second term to do absolutely nothing,
But that's a whole lot better than the other things he does, which is screw up. He's
a card board character who just stands there an lie.

October 06 2012 at 9:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to victorianrose12's comment
Jeff Miletich

And you want Paul Ryan telling you how to manage your vagina?

October 07 2012 at 12:52 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Jeff Miletich's comment
Lisa

get real. It is the democrats that want to dictate to the American people. Lets see Obama care in action when you are refused a medical item due to the cost, Lets see you go to NY and buy a 20 oz drink. DICTATORS and you people are standing around asking for more like mindless idiots without a mind of your own. We do not need more GOVERNMENT! we need less much much less.

October 07 2012 at 1:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down
Mike

Let me get this straight, Jeff. You have a vagina?

October 07 2012 at 7:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down
Sherry Humphreys

Republicans, Corporate America, & Millionaires would seal all our fates! I do not give a damn
what color my President is! What I care about is a President that represents the people, as for medicare! Again , those who can not afford it will not be fined or go to jail! This is the fear mongal Republicans feeding you they're B.S. Yes! You go Barak Obama!

October 06 2012 at 9:11 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Sherry Humphreys

Good for National! They are concerned about the future of our country, All facebook members that are racist! Think again! Wisconsin brought in the republican lying thugs & almost lost all they're unions, bet now they will consider just how damaging the republican party really is! I definately want to take our country back, & Barak Obama had his hands full with all these government freeloaders (millionaires using Walsrt eet to rob all of the USitizens, steal they're penions, their homes, & Mitt Romney sell our jobs over seas for years. China taking over the United States without firing a shot! Betrayed by our own !

October 06 2012 at 9:03 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Sherry Humphreys's comment
Mike

It would be a boon for the public sector to lose all their unions. Oh, but it was OK the union thugs came from all over the US to Wisconsin? Sherry, you are joke. And the idea that this President (or I guess any black President going forward) cannot get criticized without being called a racist to me means we will be unable to have any more black Presidents. Simple as that. Because I don't care what color his skin is. I care that he's NOT a leader and his policies (what work he's actually done) are damaging to this country. He has no idea how to budget for starters. And he's burying this country in debt. It's OK for him to "act" black in New Orleans in 2007 to play to the crowd, but then turn chameleon and be different in other circles. Give me a break. YOU'RE the racist.

October 07 2012 at 7:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ajax@when.com

This is the entire bane of this election year.. HATE! If it isn't Obama it's Romney (and the idiots under them are just stoking the fire with their stupidities). Look, it's either the Dem or the Rep (as they have given us no other alternative) so instead of hating Romney or 'Anybody but Obama', use you're brain pan and vote the way YOU feel, not the way others are trying to make you feel. Forget about hate.. Forget about lies.. Find you're own truth and be faithful to yourself and this Nation's future and if (in you're mind) the wrong man gets in, overlook you're disappointment.. Get behind you're president, use petitions to steer him in the direction of the majority and toss out anyone who plays the same game they did in the last four years. We're gonna have a president there's no doubt about it so you may as well back him instead of spitting on him.. and you threateners.. You need to join the KKK and get the F**K out of our country. If I want to support Roger Rabbit that's MY choice.. I shouldn't be threatened for what I believe in and neither should you or the National.

October 06 2012 at 8:34 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
EXHAULTED RULER

Wait they are supposed to be a band or singing group of some kind? Right? And this is the only way they get attention? IF they were good that might be different, I guess, well probably not. What did they do again?

October 06 2012 at 8:26 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to EXHAULTED RULER's comment
rohrscheibcroh

your right im from ohio never heard of them then again im over 30 lol

October 06 2012 at 9:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jeff Miletich

They get plenty of attention you idiot.

October 07 2012 at 12:53 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
saksr1of3

All I can say is good

October 06 2012 at 8:13 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Larry

If you think that the next 4 years under Obama are going to be any different, think again. First if reelected, Obanaxare goes into effect. If you like or love your insurance now, look out! The Feds are moving in and they're going to tell you what's best for you. If you don't like it, you pay a fine. So either way you pay, buy Obamacare or pay a fine. Next, all small businesses that can't afford Obamacare will close their doors for good, putting people in the streets. That means increased Unemployment put upon our already steadily climbing rate. Get it through your heads people! $ more years and America will no longer be a Democracy, it'll be a 2012 Socialist USSR!

October 06 2012 at 7:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
LISA BARTON

Stick with your convictions and don't let the bullies sway your opinions...Republicans don't like rock stars anyways...

October 06 2012 at 7:14 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to LISA BARTON's comment
rohrscheibcroh

uh they don't ? i guess im alone lol

October 06 2012 at 9:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jeff Miletich

I can't agree with you on that . I know a couple in my area that are big supporters of local music. They both rock. Sadly, they vote GOP.

October 07 2012 at 12:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jim

What do you expect from a band no one ever heard of? Only a band of idiots would support Obama.

October 06 2012 at 6:26 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Jim's comment
Brenda Wheaton

and only a fool like you supports a lier

October 06 2012 at 9:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply