These days, politicians will use anything to win votes, whether that is their ‘love’ of football, their association with rock stars or the music on their iPods. US presidential candidate Barack Obama is no different. Like some well oiled political machine, the music on his iPod has been carefully selected to appeal to those voters he’s trying to sway, which means everything except for Garth Brooks.

Maybe he’s not aiming for the Garth Brooks fan’s vote?

According to Rolling Stone magazine, Barack Obama’s iPod collection suggests that he’s aiming at those Americans who were born between 1946 and 1964, the age group typically thought to prefer his presidential rival in the election. This represents some 80 million American voters, a sizable chunk who could be won over by an iPod.

Among the artists from that time frame are Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and the Boss, Bruce Springsteen. He’s also added other artists such as Elton John, to make sure he wins the gay vote.

The only sector Barack Obama seems to be missing is the music that is aimed at the followers of his former Democratic rival, Hilary Clinton. This being the white working class voter. The absence of artists such as Garth Brooks and Kenny Chesney could pose a serious chink in Barack Obama’s iPod armour.