Don't get me wrong Ron. I have three or four late 60's or early 70's John Denver albums around here somewhere and like much of what is on each, as I liked his work with the Muppets and filmwork with George Burns.
But one of the questions was why he rubbed so many the wrong way, and in addition to his gas hording being at odds with his well polished John-Boy Walton public personna, I think it was obvious that,over time, he sold out.
His music went from sparse, mostly thoughtful and mostly acoustic to mostly trite and mostly overproduced. Such at least, is MHO, which of course could/should mean shit to anyone but me. Still, I can't envision Woody or Pete or even Harry Chapin on stage with an opera singer.

He was indeed a product of his times. Unfortunately, those were times which also brought us leisure suits, pet rocks and Tony Orlando and Dawn.

But to call him a republican? Well, lets not speak any further ill of the dead.

Regards