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TAMPA, FL -- When you think about presidential politics, the name "Danny Gokey" isn't the first thing that comes to mind.
And to be honest, politics has never really been on the mind of Gokey, either — at least not until the former "American Idol" star got married in January to model Leyicet Peralta.
"I’ve never been a student of politics, but my wife and I have differing views, so it has made me really look at what I have always believed," Gokey told Patch shortly after performing on the floor of the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night. "You know, we’re raised a certain way and we tend to believe things that our parents tell us.
"This is the first time that I’ve really taken a hard look at our system, and I kind of am taking on a more active political viewpoint," added the country singer from Milwaukee.
And what exactly is his political viewpoint? Well, the fact that he performed before thousands of Republican delegates and party insiders last week is an indication that he's leaning toward the GOP.
"I just want a man who can lead our country and be good for our country," he said. "I thought that having President (Barack) Obama elected to office was a really great moment in our country’s history, but it could be time for a change."
When asked specifically whether Republican candidate Mitt Romney was his choice, Gokey said:
"Well, I’m weighing all of the issues, but he could be. What I like about our political system is that if he’s not the one, then hopefully the next time, the next guy is the one."
Gokey said he and Peralta, who is pregnant and has a Jan. 21 due date, spend a lot of time debating politics.
"My wife grew up more Democratic and I was raised Republican, and it’s funny how she has caused me to challenge my views," he said. "It has caused a lot of interesting conversations, and I’m sure our unborn baby has heard a lot of interesting views on politics."
Gokey performed just a few hours before Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan formally accepted his nomination as the party's vice presidential candidate. His manager said Gokey was invited to sing because he's from Wisconsin, a state that played a big role in this year's convention.
As soon as his finished singing his hit song, "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me," Gokey went on the convention floor to meet and pose for photos with the Wisconsin delegation, including Gov. Scott Walker.
“It was awesome," he said. "I’m always nervous every time I go on stage, but it was a good kind of nervousness. The crowd was really into it. This my first time at a convention like this, so I’m really like a sponge absorbing it all."
Gokey said he is talking to several record companies about signing a new deal and is working on a book that will be autobiographical but also will focus on the Sophia's Heart Foundation, named in honor of his first wife, who died in 2008.
"A lot of people don’t know about Sophia's Heart. We’re taking in homeless families right now and we’re getting ready to open up a human trafficking wing for ladies who have been sold into sex trafficking. I’m opening up 12 rooms for them," Gokey said. "We do music and arts programs, we have scholarships, and do what we can to help families and children have better lives."
Nuitari
1:17 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
The man with beyond his 15 minutes of fame has spoken....and he is right.
Annie Nominous
1:29 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Glad to see how fame has not affected Danny negatively, but for sure, positively. He is a rare gem. Danny has a very promising and great life ahead of him, and he seems to be a very grounded, intelligent man. Once his new baby arrives, he will probably trend conservative. Most of all, because he rather save his hard-earned money for his family's use and his charity, rather than turn over his (highly taxed) income to the government under the democrats' tax plans. I am certain that Danny knows how to effectively and efficiently spend his own, hard-earned money for the good of others much better than the government would do.
Bren
1:47 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Right. His hard-core christian stance had nothing to do with it. I am acquainted with several members of his church near the Milwaukee county airport and they are all GOP. Q: Why not just say "I'm becoming more politically active" instead of going this route? A: Because this avenue brings more attention to Danny Gokey, something those acquaintances suggest has been a long-term interest of his.
Ed Willing
1:51 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Bren, I'm acquainted with members of his church by the airport as well, and they aren't all GOP. In fact, several are about as lefty as you can find.
But who the heck cares? Your word usage implies you're a Christian-right bigot.
FYI - he grew up at Evangel Assembly of God on the north side. I grew up at Oak Creek Assembly of God on the south side. Deal with it; wear the bigot badge with pride.
Brian Dey
10:40 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
You go on Bren about how Paul Ryan should be condemned because he follow's the polical structure of Ayn Rand; an aethiest. And now you decry Gokey because of his Christian views. You are either the biggest stooge, or so pro-lefty that you no longer grasp the words you speak. He is not a Christian because he is Republican; he is Republican because of his Christian beliefs. I will now say that you have proven why a college degree doesn't make you smart.
Annie Nominous
10:46 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Bren: I do not think it is fair for you to claim third-party accusations against Danny Gokey.
Annie Nominous
10:55 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
To Edward Willing - name-calling (to Bren) is low...can't you just disagree in a civil manner and explain yourself better?
Bren
4:20 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Did either of you actually read my post? Have to wonder.
I'm a Christian.
I'm taking a little exception to Mr. Gokey's approach. My acquaintances at that church are GOP. That is relevant to my post. I don't universalize.
Next time, read the post or ask for help.
The Donny Show
9:04 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
....said the attention whore who is Bren.
Bob McBride
5:13 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
I'm just impressed that Mark, apparently, scooped everyone else and got a one-on-one with Danny Gokey. Danny Gokey, for crying out loud! Bam! Take that, CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, MSNBC, HSN, OWN, LS/MFT and all the rest of you!
Nuitari
6:47 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Don't be jealous Bob. We know you have a Gokey Nation t-shirt tucked away.
Bob McBride
8:08 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
I'm gonna have go to google that to see if they actually made those..
James R Hoffa
8:32 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Hoffa has never heard of Danny Gokey before reading this article.
$$andSense
9:00 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Doofa
You really do live in a cave. All the ladies at my work place swoon over Danny Gokey. How old are you anyway? Your non-association with women is really showing. This guy has talent and lives in SE WI and you never heard of him? Really? The ladies at work would consider you a big dork.
James R Hoffa
9:22 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
@$$andNonsense -
Hoffa was born in '78. Sorry, but Hoffa's not very big on today's pop-culture. But here's a video of the legendary Al Martino performing the hit 'Volare' that Hoffa thinks is pretty groovy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS87g9b8jTA
If that makes Hoffa a dork, so be it! The ladies at work probably aren't good enough for Hoffa anyway ;-)
$$andSense
9:50 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Born in 1978. Just making sure here -1978? You are kidding. And all this wisdom from a 30 something gennyxer about labor issues and life in general? Gokey is a mere 2 years younger than you. This just keeps getting better. This isn't a dating site if you are looking to impress single women with your political acumen and insight as you have have been attempting for over a year now. Women want personal connection, not political rhetoric. This advice is free to you. But, I will confirm on Tuesday but I can guarantee the ladies at work (all married to men of good character unlike your twisted self importance) will still agree with you being a BIG DORK! Good luck with the ladies :)
LOL hahahahaha!
James R Hoffa
10:26 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
@$$andNonsense -
You mean this isn't Match.com??? Damn it - Hoffa must have gotten Patch and Match confused! This whole time I thought that the comments were just a part of the patented compatibility matching services!
In all honesty, Hoffa's first serious girlfriend was a former third runner up in the Ms. Virginia beauty pageant and Hoffa's ex-fiance was a semi-professional runway model. In fact, she just ended up doing some kind of fitness/beauty contest thing up in Canada that she had to have a professional video profile produced. You probably don't believe me, but Hoffa assures you that it's all quite true.
Hoffa may currently be single, but someday, he'll find someone that will love Hoffa for who Hoffa is instead of what they want Hoffa to be.
James R Hoffa
10:48 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
@$$andNonsense -
And Hoffa bets that the ladies at work have never even heard of one of Hoffa's personal favorites, Namie Amuro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R17t_GmYhrQ
G-d I love that song, and Namie is such an angel!
Hoffa prefers to follow South Korean and Japanese television dramas to the stale product being turned out by today's American broadcast and cable networks!
Bren
4:25 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Ladies, beware. Looks matter to Mr. Hoffa! ; )
James R Hoffa
5:39 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
@Bren -
Not really. Self respect and confidence matter to Mr. Hoffa. Both were remarkably smart - the first is ivy league educated, holding a Doctorate from Colombia University, among a multitude of other degrees. She just ended up marrying a dentist this year and is currently pursuing her third Doctorate degree at the U of Georgia. The second one is a JD but ended up going into biological sciences, recently earning a Doctorate from the U of Utah and starting a some kind of research job in addition to her part time modeling.
Both are world travelers and always on the go, constantly changing what they do. Hoffa's preference to slow down and start a family just didn't sit well with them at the time Hoffa was a part of their lives, even though Hoffa loved them both very much.
And they both initially pursued/chased Hoffa - not vice versa. It never developed into more than just a friendship when Hoffa does the initial pursuing/chasing for some reason or another.
Annie Nominous
11:20 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Is Hoffa really Jimmy or George Costanza from Seinfeld? ("The Jimmy" - Season 6, Episode 19).
James R Hoffa
11:40 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Hoffa had to look that one up!
Hoffa's even better than Jimmy and George, as Hoffa only refers to himself by his surname, and not his first name!
Booyah!
Annie Nominous
1:01 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
You do have a valid point there, Hoffa! Nice to see you have a sense of humor, too.
$$andSense
8:54 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Still a DORK when it comes to women. They are all ex's for a reason. Women don't walk away from a man with good character, conviction and livable expectations of a life long commitment, including children. If you don't have it together at 34 years of age, you never will. A bit of advice. Give up on the eye candy you refer to previously dating and settle for a lady that has that quiet class that doesn't need to show it off. There is an old saying that a person should be undoing the mistakes of their 20's when they are in their 30's. Based on your posting record, you still are in your 20's. Think about that.
Did your parents abandon you psychologically or physically? The fact that you claim you don't drink is telling about one or both parents. I'm in the people business and you display some interesting and tell tale characteristics.
James R Hoffa
10:48 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
@$$andNonsense -
The ladies seek Hoffa out, not vice versa!
Hoffa chooses not to drink because it's not logical. Why would one voluntarily consume a known poison such as alcohol? Hoffa has adopted a lifestyle of logical conformity. If it's not logical, Hoffa doesn't do it.
Hoffa is very close with his parents - there is no abandonment of any kind.
Hoffa is starting to suspect that $$andNonsense may be an old MK-Ultra experiment that was rejected due to defect.
$$andSense
12:42 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Doofa's response confirms $$ intuition. Denial, deflection and self adulation are the classic signs. Just not comfortable with the ladies that want more than casual sex?
"Hoffa is very close with his parents - there is no abandonment of any kind." Whatever you say. Sure. OK.
And there are lots of other holes in your "logic" that you hide behind that speak volumes. The third person obsessive reference to a former but now non-existent person of some form of reactionary societal influence is another. You and Saul adopted your namesakes accordingly.
Cats don't live as long as humans. Better stock up on kittens. The Humane Society has lot of them.
Don’t like the message? Don’t read it or respond to it then. Yet, you are programmed to respond to it. Mark my words, you will!
James R Hoffa
1:23 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Watashi Ga Renai Dekinai Riyuu
Bren
4:32 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Mr. Hoffa, you are absolutely right about Asian TV. Writing and acting are far superior. I have a young relative addicted to K-Pop. Who knew?
; )
James R Hoffa
5:49 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
@Bren -
Hoffa often recommends South Korean / Japanese films and tv shows, and J-Pop and K-pop music to his friends and family, to which he is always called weird for some reason or another.
Even though Hoffa doesn't understand the Japanese or Korean languages, he still loves it. Especially when compared to the product being turned out in this country today!
The only show that Hoffa has been able to get into since Star Trek Voyager ended is AMC's Breaking Bad, although CSI Vegas with William Petersen wasn't too bad and CSI Miami with David Caruso was fun sometimes!
The Anti-Alinsky
8:19 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Hoffa, why do you waste your time with $$andNonsense. His only purpose in life is to try and bait you and me into making a faux pas (and failing so far). His post have no other substance than to insult and provoke. I picture him as a nasty little troll, sitting in his troll-hole waiting for you to reply.
Strange isn't it, your a 30-something GenXer, and $$andNonsense must be a 900 year old savant from the way he talks, yet you make so much more sense.
Keith Best
9:32 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
America has a clear choice, Obama/ Biden with 4 more years of failing policies, or America's Comeback Team of Romney/ Ryan.
Mitt laid out a 5 Point Plan to get the economy growing and put people back to work. Obama offers 42 straight months of unemployment over 8% and more Americans out of work than when he took office. "Hope and Change" have faded.
Paul Ryan said "we can do this" and Mitt Romney showed us how.
Obama was a nice experiment but high expectations from a first term senator who spent most of that first term running for another office, were never met. Time for a real change.
N. Peske
7:49 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I know headlines are designed to spur controversy, but really, can't we ever begin to focus on common ground? Gokey's full comments show he's dialoguing, thinking, and still working it all out--but eager to learn about politics. It's wonderful that a public figure who appeals to young people can take such a civil approach to the political discussion and serve as a role model for gathering information and not jumping into an opinion before thoroughly looking at all sides of an issue. I wish the headline reflected that.
The Donny Show
9:06 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
In the end I agree it is time for a change, BUT who cares what Danny Gokey thinks. He is who is because of a dumb tv show. Why is this even a story? I care as much about Gokey's opinion as I do about Keith "the thief" Schmitz's.
Nancy K
9:13 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Danny Gokey is DOING SOMETHING rather than sitting back and expecting the government to take care of the families who come to Sophia's Heart. This is exactly what Jesus instructed his followers to do. Danny, as a Christian, is doing that. I commend him. Shame on those of you who condemn him.
conservative1960
4:05 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012
Yes