You give Gov a bad name

Could there be a Governor Bon Jovi in New Jersey's future?

New Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi lives with his family in Soho, but he's keeping his Garden State home because he "could be planning one day to run for governor of New Jersey," the New York Post reports.

Bon Jovi, who often helps Democratic candidates raise money, hired Ken Sunshine, one-time chief of staff for ex-Mayor David Dinkins, the newspaper reports.

Must. Not. Make. Fun. Of. Ken. Sunshine.

But it's intriguing to think that Jon might have political aspirations. He certainly has the money. And politics aside, you might have governors' summits with a kick-ass concert, with Gov. Bon Jovi (D-N.J.) and Gov. Nugent (R-Mich.) headlining.

So, when is Buffett running for governor of Florida?

UPDATE (2:24 pm 11/14/07): I had to update the title. It's much more appropriate now. (It was "Campaigning on a prayer" ... see what I mean?)

Today's Daily Schadenfreude: Michigan

For the first time (I think), an entire state gets the Daily Schadenfreude award. And it's a state for which I have a great deal of love and respect (at least in the six months it's not winter there), having lived in Michigan from 1966 to 1973 and again from 2001 to 2004. It's a beautiful place and the people (most of 'em, anyway) are just wonderful.

But I have to laugh, and yes, commiserate a bit, because native Michigander Ted Nugent is talking about running for governor:

For all of his wild-man antics, the politically conservative Nugent is talking about following in the footsteps of celebrities such as actor Arnold Schwarzenegger or wrestler Jesse Ventura, who won gubernatorial races.

"That would be beautiful," Nugent said when asked if he would run for governor of Michigan in 2010. "I have threatened to do so and I was sincere."

Some of Nugent's antics make even Schwarzenegger's past outspokenness appear measured by comparison.

"Michigan was once a great state. Michigan was a state that rewarded the entrepreneur and the most productive, work-ethic families of the state. Now the pimps and the whores and the welfare brats are basically the state's babies."

Oh, my, wait till the pearl-clutchers get a hold of that! ... oh, wait. IOKIYAR. I forgot for a moment there. Sorry.

Well, then, what about this?

Nugent refuses to mince words and often uses a racial epithet to describe blacks that normally would mean political suicide. He says his embrace of the word reflects his respect for the black contribution to rock and roll and has another expletive for anyone who disagrees with him.

Uncivil!! Uncivil!! Uncivil rationalization, too!

Nugent currently lives in (you're not going to believe this one) Crawford, Tex., of all places, but the Detroit native maintains a home and a hunting preserve in Michigan. Sorry, Michigan, but you're going to be the laughingstock of the U.S. if Nugent runs. Well, that is, the laughingstock after California, Minnesota, Texas ...

Anyway, congratulations to the Great Lakes State! Today's Blast Off! Daily Schadenfreude is for you!