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Smith paid $100,000 for campaign song

Fred Smith paid $100,000 for a song.

According to his most recent campaign finance report, the Republican gubernatorial candidate paid country singer Lee Greenwood to write a song and perform at several barbecues.

Greenwood is best known for his patriotic song, "God Bless the U.S.A.," which has become a staple of Republican political events.

He debuted the song, "From Good to Great," at a fundraiser for Smith in October. He's also played it live at a handful of Smith's barbecues, and the campaign has used a video of Greenwood at other functions.

Smith has used the barbecues to raise money, collecting nearly $28,000 from 900 donors who gave less than $50.

The money was paid to Lee Greenwood Inc. of Nashville, Tenn.

Hat Tip: The Insider

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Re: Smith paid $100,000 for campaign song

Submitted by cal on January 30, 2008 - 3:55pm.

I might actually consider enjoying the song if the thing didn't play EVERY time you opened his website. It could easily be the most irritating thing about his campaign...

Fred's voice would be a close second.

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Re: Smith paid $100,000 for campaign song

Submitted by natdug on January 30, 2008 - 10:55am.

The real question is if part of that 100k went to Jim Collins for ripping off the name of his book.

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Re: Smith paid $100,000 for campaign song

Submitted by RobSchofield on January 30, 2008 - 10:38am.

As we noted on the Progressive Pulse yesterday, in his introduction of the song, Greenwood appears to imply that the song was his idea and that he wanted to write it because of his commitment to the Smith cause.

Whoever came up with the idea, though, the fee Smith paid to Greenwood appears to work out to about $505 per word for the 198 word, three and a half minute song. You can read all the stirring lyrics here.

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