John Kerry Auditions For *NSYNC

For those who know about the basic history of the various pop "boy bands" in recent years -- New Kids, *NSYNC, O-Town, etc. -- you know that there seems to be a certain formula to them. There are usually four or five young guys: the cute one, the rebellious one, the gay ... umm ... make that the sensitive one, the fat one, and the talented one.

Perhaps John Kerry wanted to add "the really old one" to the mix. The most amusing leaflet of the convention was the one from the Kerry campaign that read: "Sen. John Kerry invites you to a meet-n-greet with special guest Chris Kirkpatrick from *NSYNC." Because, of course, when you think of boy bands, John Kerry immediately comes to mind. Also notice the hip new spelling of "meet-n-greet" too!

Chris -- the Kerry folks all referred to Kirkpatrick as as "Chris" -- was dressed in a full-length black leather jacket and dark shades. It was an outfit Chris kept wearing inside, even during the luncheon forum with Kerry.

Not reported: Today was apparently the first time Kerry and Chris (left) ever met. As Kerry headed into the luncheon, staffers pulled Chris over to Kerry's side. "C'mon pal, let's do this," says Kerry to his new sidekick as he grabbed Chris' sleeve and they headed into the ballroom.

Also not previously reported: It turned out that a Kerry staffer used to be a Mousketeer several years ago with some of Chris' friends and got him to do the favor for Kerry. It helped that Chris lived nearby in Orlando. Kerry -- in turn -- returned the favor by making a plug during the luncheon about "protecting intellectual property" (translation: I'll go after you folks who trade music files online).

I managed to slip through the crowd to Chris to ask him a question as the luncheon breaks up. Have you ever endorsed any candidate before?

"Never endorsed anyone before. This is my first time."

What is it that you like about Senator Kerry?

At that moment, protective Kerry staffers stepped between Chris and me and abruptly ended the interview. "Chris isn't here to answer any media questions today," said the aide. "Just pictures today."

I noticed Storm also was blocked by the same folks a few moments later when -- pretending to be a reporter from Teen People -- he tried to ask Chris if the boys had Kerry in mind while they were performing any of their songs.

Outside during the five-minute "meet-n-greet", Chris explained he must leave for "another meeting." Kerry leaned toward Chris, placed his hand on Chris' shoulder, and said: "Great to have you here, pal ... let's get together again soon." They're going to be hanging together? Yeah, right!

I asked Kerry Deputy Campaign Manager Marcus Jadotte to name Kerry's favorite NSYNC song. Answer: "Bye, Bye, Bye -- the one he's going to play for George W. Bush on election night."

Well, if Kerry is elected, will he ensure that *NSYNC bandmate Lance Bass will finally get to go into space?

"Yes, Senator Kerry certainly plans to work on making that happen," said Jadotte.

-- Full article can be found here.