Merle Haggard: Presidential Candidates Leave Legend ‘Empty’

As the Presidential election looms closer, many celebrities are taking a public stand, either behind President Barack Obama, or his presumptive opponent, Republican Mitt Romney. But while Merle Haggard doesn't have any problem supporting a politician he believes in (and championed current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in her failed run for office in 2008 with a song entitled "Hillary"), the 75-year-old says neither Obama nor Romney will get his vote.

"I've got to be honest," Merle tells the Dallas Observer. "I met President Obama and he was a nice fellow, but I'm not going to vote for him, and I'm not going to vote for Romney. So, that leaves me without many options. I don't see much that I like in either of them. It's a tough world and I don't think either of them is capable of representing this country right now."

The California native says his reason for not supporting either candidate comes down to one issue. "There are many things that present a bigger problem for this country than the Middle East right now," the "Okie from Muskogee" singer explains. "Neither [candidate] wants to address them. They're purposely staying away from the economy, for example, and it leaves me kind of empty. I don't have a good prognosis for the country over the next couple of years."

The Country Music Hall of Fame member does have one piece of advice for whoever will be the nation's next leader, which he says has helped him in his own tumultuous life as well. "Faith is the only way we're going to make it. None of us are smart enough to do it on our own."

With the health problems that plagued him earlier this year behind him, Merle is spending much of the summer on the road, including stops in South Dakota, Wyoming and Iowa. Keep track of his upcoming shows here.