John Mellencamp: Sarah Palin Is Smart

John Mellencamp: hater of the Internet, lover of Sarah Palin? The rocker made the unlikely move of speaking out on her behalf yesterday, telling the AP that while he doesn't support her positions, he's impressed by the mark she's made since the 2008 election (in which he asked running mate John McCain to stop playing his songs at rallies). "Just because she says things and winks" doesn't mean she's dumb, he says.

Palin "knows exactly what's she doing," he says. "She wouldn't be where she is today if she didn't. She's pushing the right buttons. You can't be stupid and do that." (More Sarah Palin stories.)