There was a time when a personable manner, some solid policies and a good speech or two used to be all you needed to get pretty far on the American political ladder. But these days, the ability to sing it like Sinatra, Smokey or Springsteen is fast becoming a crucial skill for those who have an eye on power. Political candidates have zoned in the electorate’s love of shows like “The X Factor” and “The Voice,” and now it seems as though they want some of that approval, too. So in lieu of “America’s Got Talent” holding open auditions on Capitol Hill, we’ve devised our own talent contest to decide which public servant can hold a tune while simultaneously holding office.
CHRIS CHRISTIE
“Thunder Road” (Bruce Springsteen), 2012
Jimmy Fallon coaxed Christie into a duet on his show earlier this month, and the New Jersey governor happily obliged.
Song: Christie claims to have seen the Boss around 130 times, so it’s no surprise to see him sticking to what he knows.
Vocals: Passable, but he lets Fallon do all the real legwork.
Performance: Nobody expected Christie to crowd-surf, but he could have looked at the crowd.
Rating: Christie has some talent, but he might need to break out of his shell a little when he sings. Perhaps next time he sees a Bruce show, he should try staying awake for it.
DENNIS KUCINICH
“Sixteen Tons” (Tennessee Ernie Ford), 2007
The Ohio rep’s long shot bid for the 2008 Democratic presidential nom got longer when he tried to sing at an NYC address.
Song: The workingman’s blues as sung by someone who once posted a total annual income of $38. Full marks for authenticity.
Vocals: He sounds like a frustrated Elvis impersonator trapped inside the body of a frustrated Democratic politician.
Performance: He works the podium well, but not the crowd.
Rating: If he were to sing full time, his income would sink below $38.
JOHN McCAIN
Barbra Streisand medley, 2002
McCain had a cheeky pop at Babs in a mock commercial for “Saturday Night Live.”
Song: A string of Streisand hits performed by the then 66-year-old McCain. And they say “SNL” isn’t hip anymore.
Vocals: A bad karaoke wannabe combined with bottom-of-hotel-style cabaret.
Performance: He rocks the white turtleneck like it was going out of fashion. Which it did about three centuries ago.
Rating: A musical disaster but he gave us a laugh.
MITT ROMNEY
“America the Beautiful,” 2012
Hot on the heels of Obama’s brief salute to soul at the Apollo, Mitt Romney tried to seduce the electorate with his own unique croon at a rally in Florida.
Song: “The Star-Spangled Banner” is usually the patriotic anthem of choice, but the more modern “America the Beautiful” (written in 1895) may well have been Romney’s attempt to prove he’s down with the kids.
Vocals: The ex-Massachusetts governor apparently doesn’t understand that there is more than one note.
Performance: We like the Rat Pack-esque hand-in-pocket pose.
Rating: Clearly, God made Romney rich so the rest of us would never have to hear him constantly singing for his supper.
VLADIMIR PUTIN
“Blueberry Hill” (Fats Domino), 2010
An honorable mention goes to the Russian leader who sang at a charity fund-raiser in St. Petersburg for a crowd featuring Goldie Hawn, Sharon Stone and Kevin Costner.
Song: An early popular song covered countless by rock ’n’ rollers, but few heads of state.
Vocals: Despite leading one of the world’s most powerful nations, Putin sounds like a petrified field mouse.
Performance: Pillars of concrete inside the Kremlin move more than he does.
Rating: He would have been more at home with “Back in the USSR.”
BARACK OBAMA
“Let’s Stay Together” (Al Green), 2012
The 44th president broke into song spontaneously at the Apollo Theater in Harlem during a fund-raiser back in January.
Song: A stone-cold classic, an apt choice for his appearance at such a musical landmark and the perfect slogan for a president seeking re-election.
Vocals: You gotta hand it to Obama from Chicago: Those pipes are pitch-perfect.
Performance: Obama doesn’t have the moves, but that “I’m-so-money-and-I-know-it” smile is all the choreography he needs.
Rating: Al Green may still be the pastor of soul, but the president has his own flock.