Paul McCartney supports Barack Obama’s re-election campaign – 5 November 2012

Monday 5 November 2012 · Paul McCartney · Video message

Paul McCartney publicly supported Barack Obama’s re-election campaign in a short video published on 5 November 2012. Appearing with his touring band, he addressed his North American fans on the day before the United States presidential election.

The clip was released through McCartney’s official YouTube channel under the title Paul McCartney And The Band Send A Message Of Support For The US Elections. McCartney encouraged participation in the following day’s election and explicitly endorsed Obama.

The video message: key facts

Watch the official 5 November 2012 video

Watch the original video on Paul McCartney’s official YouTube channel.

The featured image is the thumbnail accompanying this official video, published on 5 November 2012.

McCartney’s election-eve endorsement

McCartney opened by identifying the audience as principally his North American fans. He referred to the next day, 6 November, as voting day and stressed the importance of taking part.

He then referred to the three American members of his band, saying that they had already voted for Obama. The exchange included a response from the musicians confirming that they had voted.

McCartney stated that Obama was also the candidate he and the band were recommending. He finished with a call for the president to return to office and a brief reference to the Beatles song “Get Back”.

The message was circulated online immediately before the election. Contemporary coverage appeared on 5 November, with further reporting on election day.

The band beside McCartney

The video shows McCartney standing with the four musicians who formed his established touring band: keyboard player Paul “Wix” Wickens, guitarists Rusty Anderson and Brian Ray, and drummer Abe Laboriel Jr.

Anderson, Ray and Laboriel were the three American members mentioned in the message. Wickens and McCartney were the two British members of the five-piece line-up.

McCartney holds his violin-shaped bass, while Anderson and Ray have guitars. Instruments and equipment are visible around the group. The clip presents the musicians together in an informal setting rather than at a campaign rally.

The same core line-up had accompanied McCartney on his 2002 tour. Explore an earlier event on this date in our account of McCartney at Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, on 5 November 2002.

McCartney and Obama at the White House in 2010

Two years before the election message, Obama had presented McCartney with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The ceremony took place in the East Room of the White House on 2 June 2010.

McCartney performed during the concert celebrating the award. His songs included “Eleanor Rigby”, “Let It Be” and “Michelle”, the last addressed to First Lady Michelle Obama.

The 2012 video was a separate public endorsement during Obama’s campaign for a second term. Obama subsequently won re-election.

Paul McCartney in the collection

Explore the Paul McCartney Photo T-shirt and the Paul McCartney and Wings collection.

Frequently asked questions

When did Paul McCartney release his Obama support video?

The video was published on 5 November 2012, the day before the US presidential election.

Who appeared with McCartney?

His band members Paul “Wix” Wickens, Rusty Anderson, Brian Ray and Abe Laboriel Jr appeared alongside him.

Which candidate did the video support?

McCartney supported Barack Obama’s campaign for a second presidential term.

What did McCartney say about the American band members?

He said the three American members had already voted for Obama.

Which Beatles song did he reference?

He referred to Get Back at the end of the message.

When had Obama presented McCartney with the Gershwin Prize?

The presentation took place at the White House on 2 June 2010.