Roots, Toots n' Hoots Blog

Is Tim McGraw's political career kaput before it started?

Jeffrey Remz  |  February 25, 2011

Tim McGraw has made it clear he, one day, could be interested in a political career. He would not be the first country singer ever to do so. Jimmy Davis became governor of Louisiana and had a strong recording career - he's the guy who wrote You Are My Sunshine.

Roy Acuff wasn't as fortunate. He was a huge singing star, but he could not get elected governor of Tennessee in the 1940's, getting trounced. Sammy Kershaw hasn't fared so well either in trying to be elected lieutenant governor of Louisiana .

But is McGraw's career over before it began? A story in USA Today said that he was way behind incumbent Republican Sen. Bob Corker, who is up for re-election next year.

Corker was favored by a 50-28 percent margin in a poll of 500 voters.

But I wouldn't worry just yet if I were McGraw. First off, it's hard to imagine he'd run for Senate while he still has a healthy recording career going on. He's touring again this summer, hitting the sheds and just had a number one hit with Felt Good on My Lips. He also enjoys an acting career, getting positive reviews for playing Gwyneth Paltrow's husband in the not so well-received "Country Strong."

Chances are he's not going to give these activities up just yet to enter the iffy political arena.

I also wouldn't be overly concerned about some poll. It's only a snapshot. It's early, and maybe Corker's campaigning and planning, but I'm not sure McGraw is.

McGraw has done little to outwardly encourage a political career - at least recently. He has occasionally been involved in politics, most notably when he and wife Faith Hill knocked the Bush Administration's response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Nevertheless, I suspect McGraw will wait until he is ready, if he is ever ready to run. Of course, running for office is not the only option to contributing to the betterment of society. McGraw has a voice and is encouraged - as we all are - to use it.