Springsteen Not Interested In Becoming Senator

May 17, 2002 -- Bruce Springsteen has a message for those folks in New Jersey trying to draft him to run for the U.S. Senate: "If nominated, I will not run. If elected, I will not serve."

If the statement, provided by the Boss' publicist, sounds familiar, there's a reason. Springsteen was quoting Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman — another folk hero (at least in the North).

The "Draft Springsteen For U.S. Senate Campaign" is being managed by Doug Freidline, the guy who got Jesse Ventura elected governor of Minnesota, who's still convinced he can persuade Springsteen that he really is "born to run."

"I don't think that Mr. Springsteen has to participate to actually run," he said. "In this situation with my political experience, all he has to do is basically put his name on the petition forms and we're off. I think the only thing I'd require of Mr. Springsteen would be to participate in the televised debates." "He's accomplished most everything that he can in the entertainment field," Feidline said. "This would be another champter in his life and he'd really be able to give back to his community and I think that'd probably be my strongest pitch for him."

‘If He Believes in the Cause, He’ll Get Involved’

Springsteen has been involved with Amnesty International, Sept.11 relief efforts and efforts to feed the hungry around the world.

Two years ago, New York police unions urged members to boycott Springsteen's shows in Madison Square Garden, after he played the song "American Skin," about the killing of Amadou Diallo.

Even though Bruce is saying "no," Friedline's committee is moving ahead. If he refuses to be put on the ballot, they're going to try to organize a write-in campaign and get him elected anyway. Friedline says a new poll shows 22 percent of New Jersey voters would vote for Bruce.

The campaign needs 800 signatures on a petition by June 4 to get Bruce's name on the ballot. Friedline says he's confident he can get the signatures this weekend. Then, he plans to confront the singer and say, "Look, we've got the signatures to put you on the ballot. Now, will you sit down and listen to us? Because the people have spoken."

The Senate campaign already features incumbent Democrat Robert Torricelli, along with whichever Republican emerges from the June 4 primary.

Not having talked with Springsteen, Friedline is uncertain of the 52-year-old singer's ideology, but knows this: "His record shows that if he believes in a cause, he'll get involved."

With the success of Ventura, Friedline is confident that he can spot a winner. Since announcing his plans Tuesday, he's collected more than 300 signatures to get Springsteen on the ballot. He promises to have more than 500 more by next week.