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Guitar-Playing Rep. Thad McCotter on Gibson Raid: ‘One More Reason Big Government Doesn’t Rock’

Sep. 3, 2011 8:53pm Madeleine Morgenstern

Guitar Playing Michigan Rep. Thad McCotter on Gibson Raid: One More Reason Big Govt Doesnt Rock

GOP presidential candidate and Michigan Rep. Thaddeus McCotter expressed his outrage over the recent Gibson Guitar factory federal raids. (AP File Photo)

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, the guitar-playing congressman from Michigan and GOP presidential candidate, had strong words for the federal raids on Gibson Guitar factories this week.

Agents raided the legendary guitar factories in Nashville and Memphis on Wednesday over the their alleged importation and use of illegal wood, citing a century-old endangered species law that was amended in 2008 to protect plants as well as animals. The Wall Street Journal described the raids as “aggressive enforcement of overly broad laws to make the company cry uncle.”

“It’s one more reason big government doesn’t rock,” McCotter told host Chris Daniel on Beck radio affiliate KMJ 105.9 in Fresno, Calif. Friday.

“You’re looking at American artisans having the federal government come in and tell them they’d be better off if they let people in Madagascar or elsewhere do the work is insane,” McCotter said. “That’s outsourcing by government fiat from an administration that claims to oppose it.”

McCotter added that the move wasn’t an entirely surprising move out of this Obama administration, which has made “an effort to pander to every type of radical special interest that they can” — in this case, “radical environmentalists.”

If there can be anything positive to come from the Gibson situation, McCotter said, it would be to “show artists exactly why big government is a problem.”

Listen to the full interview below:

In June, McCotter stopped by Fox News to jam with Mike Huckabee:

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Comments (110)

blue_sky
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:31pm
Who is Thad McCotter?
There is a hilarious 2min clip that explain your question (FUNNY!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAPL-nSazqM

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- DeanoC
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:38pm
  All I wanna know is were can I get a Tele painted like that….that guitar is sweet !!
  
  Report this comment
- MontanaRob
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 12:03am
  DeanoC Posted: All I wanna know is were can I get a Tele painted like that….that guitar is sweet !!
  
  Ditto! I have 3 Strats, and no Tele. That one would be totally AWESOME!
  Oh, and McCotter is a sharp cookie. I just wish more people knew it.
  
  Report this comment
- Weiners Wiener
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 12:12am
  @Blue_Sky — you might think you’re clever, but by not knowing anything about Thad Mccotter you prove otherwise. Had he the same recognition as everyone else running for the GOP nomination, he would easily win. He’s the closest thing to Reagan out of all the candidates. Staunch conservative, TEA party aligned, and probably as intelligent as all the others combined. Don’t think he’s irrationally hoping for a miracle win — he’s simply getting his name out there for the future. You’ll hear much more from him in the coming years, I guarantee it.
  
  Report this comment
- chazman
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 5:17am
  Yeah, the problem has been identified. So, what are you going to do about it, McCotter?
  
  Report this comment
- fastfacts
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 5:51am
  Another great clip, if you haven’t seen it is Santorum standing up against CNN’s Piers Morgan about Gay Marriage: http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2011/sep/santorum_morgan_gays.html
  
  Report this comment
- DallyWama
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 6:01am
  @Weiners Weiner
  
  Nice freudian slip, er name.
  
  Welcome back McCotter doesnt have the **** to be president. Good guy, just cant win unless he gets plugs.
  
  Gee I wonder what conservative radio host claims **** is important?
  
  Report this comment
- qpwillie
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 7:53am
  The Paulies think everybody but them is stupid and uninformed. Very much like the 0bamabots think about the mighty 0. In fact, there are a lot of amazing similarities between the Paulies and the 0bamabots.
  
  Be assured that most people know who Ron Paul is and what his policies are just as much as they know about any of the other candidates. The fact that everybody doesn’t agree with you doesn’t mean they don’t know who he is or are less informed and/or intelligent than you and your fellow cult members.
  
  Report this comment
- 13th Imam
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 8:15am
  Time to start calling that “If You See Something , Say Something” number. Turn in All Liberal Progressive Guitar Players. Their guitars are illegal and the owners should be jailed as rare wood thieves. Start with the Black eyed Peas. And I could swear that Harry Belafonte held an illegal guitar. Guitar string him up.
  
  Report this comment
- Rice Water
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:48am
  Why is he playing a Fender???
  
  As a citizen, I don’t agree with the draconian laws against Gibson, but as a guitarist, I have to say that Gibson is so much overpriced junk…almost as bad as PRS.
  
  Report this comment
- BenInNY
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 10:46am
  @rice water: I have a 45 year old Gibson acoustic that blows anythings else I’ve played out of the water. Yeah, prices have definitely gone up, but I’d still jump at the chance to get an old ES-335 if I could find a lefty for cheap enough. On Fender – long as it’s not a mexican strat I’d go for that too I guess.
  
  Report this comment
- Steverino
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:03am
  RICEWATER:
  “Overpriced junk”? Maybe now, but I stored my 7 guitars in a non climate – controlled facility for over a year. The only 2 guitars that were in tune when I pulled them out of storage were my 1982 Gibson Les Paul and 1968 Gibson SG. The Fenders and others were HIDEOUSLY out of tune. Says something about them, methinks.
  Steve
  
  Report this comment
- Tusker
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 1:15pm
  @ricewater, as a musician, I bet you SUCK!
  
  Report this comment
- Kurty C Wipe
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 3:59pm
  CEO of Gibson: Feds Told Us to Leave U.S.
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E-tXQ6kQoU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
  
  Report this comment
- WhoIsTheCoon
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 5:33pm
  @denoc I airbrush for hobby and that design could be so much better, still nice and definitely original.
  
  Report this comment
Rayblue
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:29pm
My 1931 haunted Kalamazoo began playing itself the other night.
It only does that when evil is abroad.
By estimates, it should be speed picking itself on fire.

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piper60
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:18pm
I hear the jack boots com in’,
comin’ down our street.
Obama’s thugs are ruining everything
about America that’s neat.

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- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:45pm
  @piper60
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:18pm
  I hear the jack boots com in’,
  comin’ down our street.
  Obama’s thugs are ruining everything
  about America that’s neat.
  ***
  It’d make “Gold” for sure, but probably Glenn’d be the only one brave enough to produce it in America!
  
  Report this comment
- mils
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 11:30pm
  MY ONLY QUESTION ABOUT THIS WHOLE Gibson thing is
  WHO..WHO INITIATED THE RAID…ONE PERSON HAD TO START AND GIVE OKAY…WHO WAS IT??? it wasn’t merely a department head…
  
  Report this comment
- Bluzie
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 12:13am
  @MILS,
  
  Probably the same person who initiated Fast and Furious, that same person that sued Arizona for trying to protect their residents, the same person that dropped charges against the New Black Panther party….Eric Holder.
  
  Report this comment
This_Individual
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:13pm
You rock!

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- oneshiner
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 1:27pm
  Just wish more people could get to know Thad McCotter. He could be our next Ronald Reagan. I said on another post it might be Sarah Palin, but I really like McCotter. Please guys, lets not go out and vote for the most popular person when we have a choice of clear minded, honest people running. Not sure who that is yet, but I do like Thad, or it might be Sarah Palin, or???????
  
  Report this comment
hikinggussie
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:00pm
How can anyone in their right mind vote for Obama???????? and the other libs. Disgusting. Gibson should be able to make their guitars out of cow poop if they want to.

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- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:16pm
  re : Gibson should be able to make their guitars out of cow poop if they want to.
  ***
  Wonder what that’d do to tone and what kind of pick they’d use? BUT I AGREE!
  
  Report this comment
- Ballot_Box_Revolution
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 11:37pm
  That wouldn’t work either, because Gibson would have to produce a lot of cow poop, and we know what Mr. Gore says Cow Poop does to the environment.
  
  Report this comment
P-51D
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:55pm
I would love to see these Nazis jump on stage at a Toby Keith concert with 20,000 plus Southern Boys in the crowd. That would be priceless.

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- Steverino
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:06am
  That WOULD be a sight to see!
  
  Report this comment
notmeatglennbeckdotcom
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:49pm
He looks like James Taylor (with a similar excitement) and his only remotely enthusiastic moments come when he attempts to garage band Bruce Springsteen. Stay home. If you can’t bring it, don’t bother trying to sing it.

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- notmeatglennbeckdotcom
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:53pm
  In rock vernacular:
  
  Na Na Na Na
  Na Na Na Na
  Hey Hey Hey
  Goodbye
  
  Report this comment
tankyjo
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:47pm
They were the best of times, and they were the worst of times. I thoroughly enjoy good tele pickin. And I thoroughly detest all Buffoon Obama stands for.

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EQUALIZER
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:42pm
Yo,YO,YO Al Y’all White House Party Dawgs!! When is the next White House Rock Concert with Petty,Mellencamp and Mcartney? Party DownDawg!!!

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South Philly Boy
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:41pm
Fed Govt Loose Cannons

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Whostolemypig
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:37pm
He has nothing on Obama. Barrack can lead all the liberal rat into the river as he plays his flute.

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- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:41pm
  @Whostolemypig
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:37pm
  He has nothing on Obama. Barrack can lead all the liberal rat into the river as he plays his flute
  ***
  And we’ll take up a collection for the Amp in case they’re not all close enough to hear him!
  [Let's send him back to Martha's Vinyard, the Potomoc may not be deep enough!]
  
  Report this comment
fatjack
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:31pm
When the middle class has had enough.

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freedommonger
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:20pm
For the first time since anyone can remember, Michelle Obama is at odds with this administration and the Feds on their actions in the Gibson case. She can’t imagine anyone being so upset over such a small piece of ebony wood!

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- jb.kibs
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:10pm
  Zing of the day!
  rofl…
  
  Report this comment
- Partofthemeltingpot
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:17pm
  Ok……Now that’s funny
  
  Report this comment
preppymom
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:20pm
I had the most lovely spotted owl salad tonight…did I say something wrong?

http://www.crackingthemalecode.com/

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- hikinggussie
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:02pm
  that is hilariously funny! good for you!
  
  Report this comment
tobinnieto
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:17pm
Thad McCotter already has my vote.

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macpappy
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:17pm
DOJ procecutes Gibson, but lets the New Black Panther Party have a pass. Do you need more evidence that this administration is out to shut down businesses that don’t play ball. They want them to outsource to Malaysa

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- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:50pm
  @macpappy
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:17pm
  DOJ procecutes Gibson, but lets the New Black Panther Party have a pass. Do you need more evidence that this administration is out to shut down businesses that don’t play ball. They want them to outsource to Malaysa
  ***
  BUT !!! Gibson doesn’t train kids on how to lop off a head with a machete!!
  Still think if they’d just hire all illegals FROM Madagascar, they’d be OK!
  
  Report this comment
WhoIsTheCoon
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:11pm
McCotter rocks. My favorite Republican running. Too bad he cannot win because he is drier than the Texas when he speaks.

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crymlaw
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:09pm
The history of the guitar in America is long and proud. I visit American guitar factories when I can. Watching these guitar builders select wood and form it into a work of art is inspiring. I have been playing the guitar since I was 10 years old. That’s 48 years ago. Today, I cry for America.

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- Steverino
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:09am
  Hear, hear!
  
  Report this comment
- ree758
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 9:42pm
  Stop crying and do something get a hold of your Rep and tell him to come to Gibsons aid or you will personally seek someone who is suited for his job!!
  
  Report this comment
I.Gaspar
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:09pm
Under obama, instead of dealing with the issues of illegal aliens, black panther intimidation of voters, union thuggery, and the administration ignoring Federal Court rulings, the DOJ and Eric Waterholder are systematically going after industries one after another after another.
No coincidence here that Martin is a non-union shop.
I just finished reading Atlas Shrugged for the 4th time since the 70′s…and for the first time I feel I am reading non-fiction…just some technology differences, but almost a play by play account of our Hope and Change messiah.
Each attack on business and freedom bring us closer to a very dark future.
I hope we can make it until November 2012.

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- I.Gaspar
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:11pm
  Gibson, not Martin, of course.
  
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- INOGAWD
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:16pm
  Gawd, I HOPE people are taking notes on this Administration !!
  
  He’s making Bush and Cheney look like a Quireboys..
  
  There has to be a way to take My Vote back…These people are
  
  rotten to the core !! Gonna have to hide My Guitar, what else
  
  are these jerks going to take away from America ??
  
  Report this comment
- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:54pm
  @INOGAWD
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:16pm
  Gawd, I HOPE people are taking notes on this Administration !!
  
  He’s making Bush and Cheney look like a Quireboys..
  
  There has to be a way to take My Vote back…These people are
  
  rotten to the core !! Gonna have to hide My Guitar, what else
  
  are these jerks going to take away from America ??
  ***
  PLEASE…..DON’T ANYBODY MAKE A LIST !!!! (The WH is liable to mistake it for their most recent Marching Orders!)
  
  Report this comment
zoose
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:08pm
That was a Hoot!

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John 1776
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:07pm
This leaves me speechless. It’s beyond words and should be thrown in Obama’s face! But, as usual, this is the only site carrying the story.

Is Gibson a Union shop? Bet not. And I bet that played a roll in the decision for such thuggery.

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- AMERICA4EVER
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:18pm
  No they are not union and are a republican supporter. Enough said?
  
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- michael48
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:22pm
  non-union…one other compeditor is a heavy Dem-Wit contributor and the other is owned by CBS and of course CBS is the Communist Broadcast System…Othugo SS regime …boot on the neck thingy…it will be decades before the DUNG this OBANGO crowd leaves behind , if ever, gets cleaned out….be better to boot ALL and start all over…
  
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- RA0725
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:30pm
  Why is Gibson being singled out? I’m no musician but I know that Gibson is an American icon. The
  Les Paul guitar is a classic example of excellent American craftsmanship. Is this a union push?
  
  Report this comment
- grumpyt
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:59pm
  This was burning Twitter up when it happened, AND it has been all over “alternative” ( read Alex Jones et al) media. This is just another example of a story that the majority of folks say “there has to be more to this” and disbelieve that the fed would do it.
  
  Report this comment
RON-BLAZE
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:07pm
did anyone think maybe its because there non-union? and of course the enviormentalist.

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IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:05pm
Most of our problems will “go away” in 2012 elections. McCotter does have a great sense of humor with truth. God knows the truth in everything we all do and will judge us accordingly.

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- chazman
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:16pm
  … the Gibson story, along with the fiasco of ‘Fast and Furious’ should be enough to hang this jug earred communist that we have in the oval office from the nearest cherry tree on Pennsylvania Ave.!!!!!!!!! But let us not forget the numerous other examples of this failure called OBAMMY!!!
  
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Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:05pm
Why does he not play a Gibson then?Hmm?

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- Ming The Merciless
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:17pm
  That’s what I was wondering?
  He should be playing a Les Paul – not this Fender Telecaster style body.
  
  C’mon Thad – get it together!
  
  Report this comment
- chips1
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:17pm
  Because in America we have the freedom of choice. Ford or Chevy?
  
  Report this comment
- AMERICA4EVER
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:27pm
  That show was probably prior to this scandal and I’m sure he has many guitars, as I do. I have played for 53 years ans am still rocking. This is so wrong and should be obvious to anyone what they are up to. This Gibson plant is in a right to work state and contributor to the republican party. Other guitar manufacturers do the same thing, but are union and I suppose they contribute to the democratic party.
  
  Report this comment
- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:28pm
  @chips1
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:17pm
  Because in America we have the freedom of choice. Ford or Chevy?
  ***
  At least till after the 2012 elections.
  
  Report this comment
- nappy
  Posted on September 4, 2011 at 3:06pm
  I am going to guess he’s not playing a Les Paul because he wants both of his shoulders at the same height. That and you can’t find a Gibson that sounds like a Tele.
  
  Report this comment
Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:00pm
I have utter contempt for the government in this case. This is clear harassment of Gibson guitar. The government has a duty to defend American interests and that include business interests. The government has no business at all in championing the cause of the foreign worker.

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- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:35pm
  @Dougral Supports Israel
  Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:00pm
  I have utter contempt for the government in this case. This is clear harassment of Gibson guitar. The government has a duty to defend American interests and that include business interests. The government has no business at all in championing the cause of the foreign worker
  ****
  Past tense; REMEMBER; “CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN”? GUESS THE PRESS SHOULD HAVE ASKED WHO [WE] IS, (but it was probably them!)
  Hope & Change: “I hope you have some change left for the next time I hold you up!”
  
  Report this comment

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