Taylor Swift Dominates at 2013 Billboard Music Awards
Tim McGraw's 'Superstar Summer Night' Special to Air May 19
Tim McGraw Stops Atlanta Show to Help Ailing Fan
Jennifer Hudson Performs 'Inseparable' With 'American Idol' Winner Candice Glover
Carrie Underwood 'Goats' Hunter Hayes With Blown Away Tour Prank
Tornadoes Strike Oklahoma
Mario Announces Nicki Minaj Collaboration, 'Somebody Else'
Justin Bieber BOOED While Accepting Award
Carrie Underwood Says She's 'Queen of Awkward' in Marie Claire Interview
PHOTOS: Tornadoes Wreak Havoc On Central U.S.
Stone Temple Pilots Tap Linkin Park's Chester Bennington as New Singer
15 Incredible Cat Photobombs
Miguel and Fan Are 'Okay' After Crazy Kick at 2013 Billboard Music Awards
Police END Search For Susan Powell
Taylor Swift Admired George Jones' Passion for Performing
PHOTOS:Eva Longoria's Almost Wardrobe Malfunction At Cannes
Student Expelled, Charged With Felonies For Same-Sex Relationship
PHOTO: LARGEST Python Ever Caught In Florida!
PORK BELLY: OJ Can't Get Enough Beans
Top White House Staffers Were Briefed On IRS Investigation's Conclusions, Didn't Tell Obama
Mark Penn Unlikely To Rejoin Hillary Clinton 2016
LOOK: Dolphins Make Rare Underwater Find
Stefon Marries Anderson Cooper In Final Show
PHOTOS: Stars Shine On The 2013 Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet
PHOTOS: Miley Cyrus Decides To Wear Pants To The 2013 Billboard Music Awards
OUCH: Singer Jumps, Lands On Fan's Neck
'Undercover Angel' Singer Dies At 72
Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson Reportedly Split
Radio Host Makes Shocking Claim About Shooting Hillary Clinton
Suspected PayPal Hackers Seek Deal To Stay Out Of Prison
Winning Powerball Numbers
LOOK: National Geographic's Stunning Photo Contest
All The Pics: Jessica Ennis Marries Andy Hill
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Something else the Country Music Hall of Famer continues to do is to speak his mind. And in an election year, with a race that will no doubt become even more contentious than it already has been, Merle has plenty to say.
"I think an ex-convict has got a real good chance," he tells CNN. "I probably oughta run! At least all of my past is aboveboard, and they won't have to spend a lot of money to run a make on me!"
Although he believes President Obama will be reelected, Merle cautions, "I don't think it makes much difference who the president is. I think there was a big ball rolling before he came into the picture. He kind of did what I do. I didn't do anything. He hasn't done anything that I can see that's made any real difference. I think he is a fine gentleman, and they treated us real well when we were up there at the Kennedy Center (he was a Kennedy Center honoree in 2010), and I am not going to badmouth him. I think he has the next four years wrapped up. He has done some good. He got Osama bin Laden. That is a real big plus ... We are in trouble economically. I don't think we can blame it all on one black man. I think we spent 50 years getting ourselves in trouble, and it may take a long time to get ourselves out of it. It is going to take more years than I got left."
In spite of the troubles he believes America is facing in the years ahead, the Oklahoma native is thankful to have his family, including Theresa, his wife of 18 years, join him on Working in Tennessee and on the road. He also acknowledges how fortunate he's been in his life and in his music career.
"I am smart enough to know that I have been gifted and have had a better than average shot at everything," he notes. "I have been blessed many times. I walk a blessed man's path. I believe in the heavenly Father, and if he is not there, then there is somebody disguising himself and answering my prayers. I am a deeply religious man, and I believe that if you give it half a shot, that he will help you. And he certainly has me.
"I am real fortunate," Merle adds. "I ain't got no artificial hips. I got a bunch of false teeth in my mouth. But considering all where I have been with everything, and what I have been through, I am in real good condition."
Keep track of Merle Haggard's tour schedule here.
Gtrh
babyann
Tou
4 Comments