Tom Petty vs. George W. Bush, Michele Bachmann
Jason DeCrow/AP Photo
Tom Petty is a repeat objector to the use of his music by Republican campaigns. In 2004, Wixen Music Publishing president Randall Wixen told George W. Bush's campaign to stop playing Petty's "I Won't Back Down" at rallies: "Please be advised that this use has not been approved . . . Any use made by you or your campaign creates, either intentionally or unintentionally, the impression that you and your campaign have been endorsed by Tom Petty, which is not true." When Rep. Michele Bachmann played "American Girl" at a rally during her presidential primary run, she too received a cease-and-desist letter from Tom Petty's management.
