It sounds like a fun story one would tell at a watering hole over a couple of pints. “Sarah Palin, Ted Nugent, and Kid Rock walk into the Oval Office and—“ They apparently had dinner with the president, something that would have to be very memorable with four such colorful people in the same room.

Sarah Palin needs no introduction to anyone with even a passing knowledge of American politics. She is a former governor of Alaska and vice-presidential candidate in 2008. Later Palin became a moving force in the tea party movement, helping to elect numerous Republicans to public office in 2010 and 2014.

She shocked the political world by endorsing Donald Trump for 2016 instead of her ideological soul mate, Ted Cruz. She is reviled by the left. Even some conservatives look upon her with suspicion. She is not the force she once was, but she has carved out a place in American political history that is undisputed.

Most people these days don’t know that Ted Nugent is an old rocker, having performed since the early 1960s in the psychedelic rock and hard rock styles. He is more recently been in the news as an enthusiastic hunter, author (including a game cookbook), and political activist. Nugent is a member of the NRA, an opponent of drug used, and a supporter of conservative causes. Like Palin, he campaigned actively for Trump.

Kid Rock, as his professional name suggests, is a rock and roller as well, starting with hip-hop in the 1990s before moving into southern rock soon after the turn of the century. Like Nugent, he is a hunter, something that like the older rocker has brought him into conflict with animal rights organizations. He affiliates with the Republican Party but identifies as a libertarian.

He endorsed Ben Carson for president in the 2016 elections before moving over to Trump. He was embroiled in a recent scandal for his use of the Confederate flag at his concerts.

The dinner may have had reasons beyond being a social occasion. Kid Rock has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the United States Senate in 2018 for a seat now held by Debbie Stabenow.

Michigan had been a solid blue liberal state. Since Trump carried Michigan in 2016 and its governor is a Republican as well as most statewide offices and most House members, a run for the Senate is not outside the realm of possibility for Kid Rock. Many blue collar Democrats have become disillusioned with Democrats, giving the GOP a chance to entirely flip the state.