Orlando Sentinel Blog: John Mellencamp Rocks Church Street Station On "Good Morning America"

"Good Morning America" had interviews with Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Sarah Palin on Thursday morning. But John Mellencamp may have made the most forceful comments -- in song and word -- as the ABC program visited Orlando's Church Street Station.

Mellencamp sang "Troubled Land" and "Pink Houses" at the Cheyenne Saloon. Chris Cuomo of "GMA" told Mellencamp that "Pink Houses" was as relevant when the singer wrote it years ago.

"I'm just trying to do my part, you know, trying to say something that might mean something to somebody and make people feel good about themselves," Mellencamp said.

Asked about the timely lyrics, Mellencamp said, "The American Dream has kind of been hidden lately. So I think that it's time for hard-working people to be able to earn a decent wage and realize their dreams. That's what this country was founded on. I believe in the First Amendment, and I believe in hard-working people."

The crowd at the Cheyenne Saloon gave his commentary thunderous applause.

Cuomo talked to Obama and Clinton after their late Wednesday rally in Kissimmee, which drew 35,000. In Ohio, Elizabeth Vargas interviewed Palin. In Orlando, Diane Sawyer talked to family members with sharply different political views. And the Cheyenne Saloon received a national showcase -- it would be the perfect backdrop for a variety show.

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