KID ROCK Talks About His Visit To The Middle East

CNN aired an interview with Kid Rock on Friday after they were forced to delay the broadcast on Thursday. Rock talked to Wolf Blitzer about his visit to the Middle East to perform for U.S. troops, his support for the war, and whether that support had strained his relationship with singing partner Sheryl Crow, who had strongly opposed military action. Rock was mum when asked about Pamela Anderson, but did offer an opinion on Thursday's Supreme Court ruling overturning the Texas sodomy law. Read on for a transcript.

Blitzer: Kid Rock, thanks so much for joining us, let's get to the issue at hand. You entertained a lot of U.S. soldiers, the marines, the U.S. troops, in Iraq. What made you want to go over there?

Kid Rock: It was not the first USO thing I've done, but every time I've been it's been a great experience. Just seeing those kids' faces when they see someone from the homeland. Especially, maybe, an entertainer, somebody that they look up to, just to see their eyes light up and see it all. The situations there to be taken away for a moment is just worth it itself. Plus, just being able to help out and do whatever I can, you know, for this great nation that we all live in.

Blitzer: Where exactly did you go and were you scared?

Kid Rock: We were in Kuwait, we were in Qatar, and we were in Baghdad, Saddam International Airport — I guess they formerly called it.

Scared? Maybe your nerves get a little wracked because things go through your head of ,maybe, what could happen. But at the end of the day, you know, you think about it, we have the best trained technical military on the face of this planet. So to be smack-dab in the middle with them is probably the safest place to be in the world.

Blitzer: What did those troops say to you?

Kid Rock: You know, the reason why I'm doing this interview and some other ones, is because a lot of kids kept coming up to me. And these kids 18, 22, 23 years old, they kept, Rock, what do they think of what we're doing, back home? What do they think of us? And I assumed, and from talking to them, that a lot of it had to do with what they hear coming out of Hollywood, and a lot of other people that have outlets to the media, and are very vocal with their viewpoints. And I don't think they understand sometimes that maybe some people that are talking about, you know, our president and government, it still means they support them.

And I let them know that, you know, there's a lot of people like myself, the people I'm around, and basically middle America that really appreciate and support you guys, and support our government, and are 100 percent behind you guys. So I figured that everybody else can take advantage of this media outlet they have to protest and say the negatives,

I thought maybe it was time that somebody step forward and say something positive about what these kids are doing, which is basically putting their lives on the line for our freedoms. Which we are all well aware of.

Blitzer: Is it fair to say, though, Kid Rock, that you're in the minority as far as the entertainment world, Hollywood, show businesses when it comes to your passionate support for this war?

Kid Rock: Well, you know, it's kind of funny. Because usually I'm in the big mouth category. And on this I do seem to be in the, I guess, small mouth minority category for some reason. But, I don't know, just I think a lot of us that support our government are really more focused on doing the right thing. Going to work every day. Taking our families, and supporting our government. Rather than go out and use all these outlets to talk so negatively about some things that maybe we don't understand.

Me myself, I'm not the most political person in the world, so I don't really think it's my place to speak because I'm not educated enough to make decisions for our country, so you know, that's what I think.

Blitzer: You and Sheryl Crow have a smash hit, which I love, but her politics are obviously a lot different than yours. She was adamantly against the war. Has this strained your relationship with her?

Kid Rock: No, not at all. You know, that's one of the beautiful things of our country that these guys are out there putting their lives on the line for, that somebody can be against it and somebody can be for it. And, you know, we've talked about it a little bit here and there, and I think maybe she has some good viewpoints. I think mine are a little better obviously, but it hasn't strained our relationship at all. She's still a great friend and wonderful person.

Blitzer: What else are you going to do for those troops beyond what you have already done?

Kid Rock: What else would I do?

Blitzer: What else would you do, yes. Would you want to go back?

Kid Rock: I would go back anytime, anyplace, anywhere. I was kind of joking with them, though, you know, I said next time can you guys try find a war to start a war in Tahiti or something? It's like 130 degrees over there. These poor kids in Baghdad have no running water, no showers. They wipe with baby wipes. My heart goes out to them. And I think everybody that was on that USO tour will tell you, that being in Baghdad that day, that afternoon, there was something very special in the air. And for a few hours there it seemed like everybody really realized what life's about, how important our families are, and how lucky we are to live in this great country.

Blitzer: I've got to ask you one last question, Kid Rock, before I let you go. We've been promoting your appearance on our program now for some 24 hours. I'm getting flooded with e-mails. All your fans out there are asking me this question, "what's going on between you and Pamela Anderson"?

Kid Rock: I won't even comment on that, Wolf. I don't think that needs to overshadow the important things that our soldiers and our military are doing for our country. I don't think it's really even important.

Blitzer: Alright, well it's obviously important to a lot of your fans. Their really curious to know, but I respect your privacy.

Kid Rock: I don't think anyone's losing sleep over it, Wolf.

Blitzer: Alright, you are probably are right on that. Kid Rock, congratulations to you. Thanks for doing a good job for the U.S. military.

Kid Rock: And Wolf, if I could just make one more comment, I've been watching CNN here, and I keep hearing about the decision with the Supreme Court with the homosexual ruling. I just want to say I think it's a beautiful thing. Because if you really think about it, you know, the more gay men there are in the world, that just leaves more chicks for me and you, Wolf.