John Mellencamp for Senate? What About Kendra?

Fans of the liberal rocker launch a campaign to draft him to become the next senator from Indiana

If Al Franken can do it, why not John Mellencamp?

A bunch of Indiana fans have launched an online grassroots campaign to recruit the Hoosier hero to run for the U.S. Senate soon to be vacated by the retiring Evan Bayh.

The Draft John Mellencamp for Senate popped up on Facebook a few days ago and has attracted nearly 3,000 members.

According to the Facebook page, Mellencamp's name first came up via a commentator at the popular political blog Talking Points Memo.

As a founder of Farm Aid and a history of celebrating working-class folks in such anthems as "Our Country," "Pink Houses" and "Small Town," Mellencamp compares favorably to the likes of Sonny Bono and Jesse "The Body" Ventura.

The 58-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer also hasn't been afraid to mix it up, barring Ronald Reagan and John McCain from using "Pink Houses" during their presidential campaigns while backing Democratic candidates.

Ultimately, though, the choice will fall to state party officials. The fan campaign began too late to collect enough signatures to get Mellencamp on any preliminary ballots.

Still, he's not the only famous name being mentioned. At least some callers to local radio stations have taken up the cause for Kendra Wilkinson, according to reports. But the 24-year-old recent Indiana transplant is six years too young to run for Senate.

Given his highly publicized addiction to cigarettes, Mellencamp could probably do well to avoid smoke-filled rooms. But we're all for Kendra in 2016!