The big stories in Portland this weekend have been two: Barack Obama picking Joe Biden as his vice presidential candidate -- as a Democrat, I’ll keep my mouth shut on that one -- and the birth of Rose-Tu’s baby at the Oregon Zoo.  One is a major national story with potential worldwide ramifications, and the other is a sweet story about a local zoo.  And the funny thing is, I’m not sure which one most of us are more interested in or excited about.  So this week’s song, “Running Mate,” suggests that we combine the two stories and give the Republicans some advice.

A side note: I realized, writing this song, that my chord structures tend to be pretty similar across some songs. This song has strong shades of “Just Another Northwest High Rise” and “A Primary Voice” (the latter of which is, I suppose, fitting).  Maybe it’s time for me to go back to my music theory classes...

Lyrics:

Take a look at the news today,

And you’ll know what we care about.

Barack Obama chose Joe Biden --

Well, I guess that’s a reason to shout.

But just below that headline,

Check out story number two:

There’s a 286 pound elephant

Just born at the Oregon Zoo.

Well I’m no pundit, I’m not a pollster,

But I think I have an idea...

It’s a little strange, a bit unorthodox,

But it would certainly spice up this year:

John McCain should pick the baby elephant to be his running mate.

It’s already the symbol of the party -- I think that it would be great!

How could it be worse than the other guys McCain could put on the slate?

It’s so darn cute, so let’s hear the cheer: McCain-Elephant 2008!

Think about it, and it makes some sense.

McCain needs someone fit --

Someone who’s young and in touch with the youth

(And the Asian thing can’t hurt a bit).

Now Oregon’s voted Democrat

Every year since ‘88, it’s said.

But maybe with one of our own in the race,

The state will finally go back to Red.

The elephant’s not a politician,

But the McCain camp would do well to pick it.

286 pounds of Republican force,

And an Oregonian on the ticket!

John McCain should pick the baby elephant to be his running mate.

It’s already the symbol of the party -- I think that means that it’s fate!

How could it be worse than the other guys McCain’s people contemplate?

He’s fuzzy and grey (I mean the pachyderm): McCain-Elephant 2008!

[The Press Conference]

John McCain should pick the baby elephant to be his running mate.

It’s already the symbol of the party -- and think of how it would be in debates!

How could it be worse than the other guys McCain could nominate?

Come on Portland, let me hear you say: McCain-Elephant 2008!