Barack Obama hands the National an opening slot in Des Moines

Photo by Steve Cohen

The National's Matt Berninger performing at First Avenue in 2010.

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The National at First Avenue, 8/6/10

Band names are important in an election year. Pussy Riot's aware of it, so is Rage Against the Machine, but the National are so the band with the ideal moniker to open for our nation's leader, President Barack Obama. When he hits Des Moines on September 1, the moody Brooklynites will be there to warm up the crowd -- just like they did in Madison two years ago. And you can bet that they'll play "Mr. November." Update: Soundgarden/Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell will be there too.

The announcement came in via Twitter on Sunday evening.

Proud to support @barackobama again in 2012. We'll be opening for him in Des Moines on Sept 1. Follow @ofa_ia for details. #fourmoreyears

-- The National (@The_National) August 27, 2012

Another indie rock act Menomena reminded the guys of Kid Rock's Friday stand for Mitt Romney's running mate Mitt Romney in Michigan.

@the_national so it's you dudes vs. Kid Rock. may the best band win!

-- Menomena (@Menomena) August 27, 2012

This partnership actually goes all the way back to Obama's initial run at the presidency. Here's the National's "Fake Empire" in a 2008 campaign ad:



The site of Obama's speech has not yet been announced, but we'll keep you posted.