Bruce Springsteen announced on Sunday that he is taking his support of President Obama to a new level: he and the E Street Band will give a free concert on Tuesday in the swing state of Virginia as part of a get-out-the-vote campaign.
The announcement comes after Mr. Springsteen made appearances at Obama rallies in two other swing states last week. He joined former President Bill Clinton at a Obama campaign event in Parma, Ohio, last week, then performed at a second rally in Ames, Iowa.
Mr. Springsteen also posted a letter on his Web site on Wednesday outlining his reasons for supporting Mr. Obama's bid against the Republican challenger, Mitt Romney. The increasing disparity between rich and poor was high on his list. “Right now, there is a fight going on to help make this a fairer and more equitable nation,†he wrote. “For me, President Obama is our best choice to get us and keep us moving in the right direction.â€
Mr. Springsteen, whose music oft en focuses on the working-class experience, has always been a supporter of Democrats, but he started playing a direct role in campaigns during John Kerry's failed bid for the presidency in 2004, singing at rallies. He also endorsed Mr. Obama in 2008.
The get-out-the-vote concert in Virginia will take place at 2 p.m. at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Charlottesville.
