Springsteen sings for Obama

Yes, Bruce Springsteen says, President Obama has had "a really rough ride" in his first term.

But that's the fault of others and Obama deserves re-election, says the singer/songwriter who gave the world the 1975 song and album Born To Run.

"We're still living through very hard times but justice, equality and real freedom are not always a tide rushing in," Springsteen says in a message posted on his website. "They are more often a slow march, inch by inch, day after long day."

Then, citing the lyrics from one of his songs, Springsteen says: "I believe President Obama feels these days in his bones and has the strength to live them with us and to lead us to a country ... where no one crowds you and no one goes it alone.'"

That last line is from the tune Long Walk Home, from the 2007 album Magic.

President Obama's campaign team is certainly looking for some electoral magic from The Boss as he sings/stumps for the incumbent in the key states of Ohio and Iowa.

Springsteen appears Thursday with former president Bill Clinton in Ames, Iowa, and Parma, Ohio.

In his letter to fans, Springsteen notes that, back in 2008, Obama "carried with him a tremendous amount of hope and expectations."

"Unfortunately, due to the economic chaos the previous administration left him with, and the extraordinary intensity of the opposition, it turned into a really rough ride," Springsteen adds. "But through grit, determination, and focus, the president has been able to do a great many things that many of us deeply support."

The Hall of Fame rocker cites the health care law, the auto bailout, and issues important to women and gays and lesbians. He also praises the end of the Iraq War and the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

Springsteen also asks fans to support Democratic congressional candidates, singling out incumbent Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren.

Also from Springsteen:

"Right now, there is an ever increasing division of wealth in this country, with the benefits going more and more to the 1 percent. For me, President Obama is our best choice to begin to reverse this harmful development.

"Right now, there is a fight going on to help make this a fairer and more equitable nation. For me, President Obama is our best choice to get us and keep us moving in the right direction.

"Right now, we need a President who has a vision that includes all of our citizens, not just some, whether they are our devastated poor, our pressured middle class, and yes, the wealthy too; whether they are male or female, black, white, brown, or yellow, straight or gay, civilian or military.

"Right now, there is a choice going on in America, and I'm happy that we live in a country where we all participate in that process. For me, President Obama is our best choice because he has a vision of the United States as a place where we are all in this together.

"We're still living through very hard times but justice, equality and real freedom are not always a tide rushing in. They are more often a slow march, inch by inch, day after long day. I believe President Obama feels these days in his bones and has the strength to live them with us and to lead us to a country …where no one crowds you and no one goes it alone.

"That's why I plan to be in Ohio and Iowa supporting the re-election of President Obama to lead our country for the next four years."

Bruce Springsteen