Inside Clinton's Elton John Fundraiser: Singer Amazed By "Misogynistic Attitudes" Of Some In USA

NEW YORK — Experience is central to Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential bid, and Wednesday night she tapped one of pop music's most venerable rockers to help fill her campaign coffers with $2.5 million. Elton John, who has sold records and filled arenas for four decades, played a benefit concert for Clinton at Radio City Music Hall.

"I've always been a Hillary supporter," John, 61, said before launching into his 1970 breakthrough hits, "Your Song" and "Border Song." "There is no one more qualified to lead America."

The English singer, composer and pianist added: "I'm amazed by the misogynistic attitudes of some of the people in this country. And I say to hell with them .... I love you Hillary, I'll be there for you."

The cheapest tickets, $125 and $250, sold out quickly, campaign aides said. The other seats were filled by fans paying as much as $2,300, the limit for an individual's contribution to a federal candidate.

Preceding John on stage were Clinton, her husband, former President Clinton, and their daughter, Chelsea.

Hillary Clinton struck a defiant, underdog note in describing her battle against Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

"What I want you to know is I'm still standing, and I believe this country is worth fighting for," the New York senator said, playing off the title of one of John's hits. "So we're taking our campaign to Pennsylvania and all the states that haven't voted." Pennsylvania votes April 22.

The Clintons have hobnobbed with Hollywood and music industry figures for years. In 1998, John performed at a White House State Dinner the couple hosted for then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Last October, Clinton celebrated her 60th birthday with a fundraiser at New York's Beacon Theater that featured actor Billy Crystal and musicians Elvis Costello and the Wallflowers. It netted more than $1.5 million for her presidential effort.

Comments

[JonStewart4President]

I don't know why this concept is so hard for some Hillary supporters like Elton John to understand, that not likiing or criticizing Hillary isn't because she's a woman, it's done on her gender neutral doing crappy things. At least that is what it is like for most people. Not all, because there still is plenty of sexism in this country, and some people in the MSM have displayed t at times. But mostly the criticisms were policy or actions based, NOT because Hillary happens to have all X chromosomes.

[Meggie]

I'm SURE that Elton voted for Margaret Thatcher - no matter her character or political views - just because she was female. So I guess because of that he feels superior to Americans who look at more than that for their elected officials.

[veteran1964]

No he didn't vote for Thatcher. He continuously talked bad about her.

[AnninCA]

It's really very simple. The reaction to any campaigning has been swift, ferocious, and way over the top.

It doesn't make sense.

The ONLY explanation that works is that this is sexism. Good girls don't make men look bad, even if they screw up. We are suppose to always make men look good, right?

The reaction is why there's a tell-tale trail of sexism in this campaign.

[debwarot]

The ONLY explanation that works is that Hillary is not our choice for President. That does NOT make us either traitors to our sex or misogynists, it simply means that we feel very strongly that she is not someone we want to lead our nation.

[kisp]

It's just Diva Worship....What have the Clintons done for the gay community?

[Meggie]

Don't ask, Don't tell!

[BJMS]

...and don't forget the Defense of Marriage Act!!!

[WaynesWhirled]

Unlike Obama, the Clintons actually talk with the gay press. Hillary Clinton doen't have anti-gay bigots like Donnie McClurkin representing her campaign. The Clintons have been long time advocates for the Gay community. Bill Clinton was the first to say the Military was wrong to discriminate gays, and HIllary says that she will eliminate Don't Ask Don't Tell, whereas Obama only says that a repeal is possible. Hillary has also announced she will work to eliminate the disparities for same-sex couples under federal law, which would render DOMA irrelevant.

The Clintons have been advocates for the LGBT community for a very long time, and that's whay a majority of Gay people give them our loyalty.

[SheTiffany]

Throw them under the bus.

If I were gay, I wouldn’t condescend to support Hillary for president.

[CostaMesaJoe]

Yet another idiot pulling out the hackenyed notion of misogyny.
We don't suppot Hillary so we are guily as charged.

Ridiculous.

One ludicrous statement deserves the other:

I for one, am amazed at the bigoted attitudes of some of the people of the UK.

(Btw Hillary - you can't seat any super-delegates from Britain)

[pinkyboo]

He said SOME PEOPLE- can no one read on this site? Yes some who are against HRC are sexist - not all. Some who are against Obama are racist - not all!

[AjicNYC]

and your a RACIST if you dont vote for OBAMA!

WHAT to do? (sigh) what to do?

[FrankBlackFrancis]

I've heard Hillary supporters insinuate that but haven't heard Obama supporters suggest it. Perhaps you could provide an example. If you are denying that there has been some racist comments from her campaign, you're kidding yourself. So once again, there has been legitimate criticism in that regard.

[democraticjack]

I am amazed at the gall of people who defended "God damn America" and "Ferraro and Hillary are f*cking whores" coming after Sir John for his remarks. Hillary is constantly accused of being "whiny" on these posts, yet everytime anything either positive for Hillary or even the least bit negative about Obama gets posted, here the Obama troops come, whining at the top of their crybaby lungs. What a sham this whole "hope and change" message is turning out to be.

[emerywood]

Misogynistic ?
Is Elton referring to the polygamist camp in Texas where molestation en-mass of young girls is practiced by men under the cover of religion ? If so, he is absolutely right. There are still a lot of these men around.

[sugarmoes]

i just hate a desperate cheater... don't matter the gender, race, etc....

bush: white male... hate him.

[Taaj]

This is the 21st century and sexism, racism, homophobism, no longer have a particular face. Just because most folks want to vote for Obama instead of Hillary does not address misogynistic attitudes.
As a woman, who loves being a woman and believes that I should have equal rights. As a woman, who love men as human beings and believes they should have equal rights, I'm voting for the person whom I believe share these core values.

Someone who can understand the female perspective, and the importance of equal rights in the Gay and Lesbian community, none of the candidates will stand up for Marriage. Because the American people will not stand up for this issue, and until we do it makes it impossible for anyone to say yes to Marriage and get elected as the President of the United States.

As for Elton John, it doesn't matter if you are straight or gay, white, blue or black, female or male, etc.
power players have their agendas, and usually it has nothing to do with us. But they will look out for each other.

Obama 08

[AjicNYC]

can you stop the propaganda "most people" crap

OBAMA-13,355,209 Hillary-12,638,123

And that does not include FL or MI

[underdog]

Keep up the "Vote for Hillary, or you're a pig" meme. That's great way to win people over to your side. Not.

[democraticjack]

Sort of like the "Vote for Obama or you are a racist" meme? Please. How many posts have you read where he is called a "bitch", fat assed, shrill, wrinkled, fat ankled and on and on and on.
You think posts like yours are going to turn undecided Pennsylvania voters to your side. Hah!

[k6007]

So, you choose your vote by reading Huff posters. No wonder the country is so scrooed up.

[SheTiffany]

Obama has been complaining about double standards? I sure did miss that.

Do you have any examples of Obama whining about being picked on because he is a black guy?

[JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin]

Elton must have gotten instructions from Mark Penn to play the gender card.

I love Elton's music (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is one of my all time favorite albums), but he's absolutely wrong on this one. The reasons for Hillary's demise are numerous and quite complicated.

[pinkyboo]

You just assume that Elton's remarks were not his real opinion? That he was being told what to say? Thant makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. From everything I've seen/read/heard about Elton I would have to say - no chance in hell.

[daddigrace]

It's okay to play the gender card. At least it seems that way to most of these Wright obessesed Clinton supporters.

[throwoutthebums]

Shouldn't Elton John's services be considered a donation to Hillary Clinton's campaign and isn't it illegal for a non-citizen to do that. Elton John makes his considrable income performing. Is his performance any different from a donation of cash to Hillary's campaign? Had he just said a few words on her behalf that's a non-issue but to perform isn't that technically a contribution? For Elton John to use his considerable fan appeal to raise money for her campaign I question whether this is legal since he is a citizen of the U.K. Does this not open the door to a whole host of foreigners getting involved in our political process?

[Meggie]

good point. but the Clintons have a history of taking money and services from foreigners and foreign governments. question is, how much of this are Americans going to take? How much of our current indebtedness to China started with deals clinton made? really not much different from Bush holding hands with Saudi rulers. it all hurts average Americans in the end.

[Plank]

Yep.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992434/posts

[Lyria]

Nope.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/03/17/elton_john_to_croon_for_clinto_1.html

Note the comments from the FEC spokesman:

"The British pop icon -- who was knighted by HM Queen Elizabeth II -- announced today he will be performing to raise money at a Hillary Clinton fundraiser April 9 at Radio City Music Hall in New York. And, lest there be any concern about a non-citizen thereby making an in-kind donation, the Federal Election Commission says it hasn't objected to this type of foreign aid in the past.

"Musicians are permitted to donate their time and talents to assist candidates, even when the performers hail from foreign soil, said Bob Biersack, an FEC spokesman.

""If you volunteer your services, then under the regulations that's not a contribution," Biersack said.

"The only legal hitch -- the Clinton campaign will need to pay the cost of putting on the show, including lighting, make-up, staging and venue costs, Biersack said."

[weinbob]

Seems like a campaign contribution from a foreign national.

If the campaign had to pay Elton John's normal fee, it would have lost money - so is this not really just a donation from Elton?

PS. According to William Saffire and my lying eyes - the Clintons have an honesty problem.

[Meggie]

they also have a bill paying problem, so Elton can't very well charge them. they can't even pay the schools for the space and security they've used recently. so much for caring about education in America, Hil!

[photo6six]

Hillary Clinton: The Wal-Mart Videos

By Bill Hogan and Alan Green

Throughout the 2008 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton has studiously avoided discussing her five-and-a­-half-year tenure as a director of Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer.

Clinton, who served on the Wal-Mart board from November 1986 to May 1992, while she was First Lady of Arkansas, makes no mention of the experience in speeches, nor is it listed in her official biography or referenced anywhere on her campaign’s website. Indeed, as The New York Times put it last year, her stint as a director of Wal-Mart “remains a little known chapter in her closely scrutinized career.”

For more information:
http://www.publicintegrity.org/clintonwalmart/index.htm

[TheRebel82]

There goes Clinton and her supporters playing the victim again. "they're beating up on me because i'm a woman" Oh boo hoo. Enough already! You're losing because Clinton is an opportunistic person that will say anything to win an election.

[Meggie]

A pity that with all of their millions in earnings after leaving the white house they couldn't give that $800,000 Bill earned working for the colombian trade deal to those working stiffs in ohio and pennsylvania who are put out of work because of things like the colombian trade deal and nafta.
After all, the Clintons would not have over $100 MILLION dollars since they left the white house if they hadn't taken advantage of their position. And how much of that money do they really need to live on, anyway?

[studlyguy]

Elton John is a ICON ,and is a brilliant artist , unlike any of you foul mouth losers spouting the usual hate ,sick , comments,as usual everytime a famous person goes against your candidate Obama ,start with the insults and hate,just shows how cultish you are,Obama supporters are a nasty ,sad crowd,

[atlfemdem]

Yes, Elton John is a brilliant artist and has the right to show support for whomever he chooses. And so do I. Please don't resort to name calling. It's quite immature.

[pinkyboo]

I agree plenty of immature Obama and Clinton supporters in Huffland.

[studlyguy]

Please ,these comments coming from some of the nastiest ,hate filled name calling i've ever seen,over the months,when people are not for Obama ,if you consider my comment nasty you must live in a very sheltered life ,just stating the obvious to the cultish Obama followers,this is for all of the comments above,

[granamica]

Studlyguy loves him some Elton. Leave Elton alone!

[Aywaller]

I am a long, long-time Elton John fan and I agree that he is an icon and brilliant artist. As an Obama supporter, I just think he is wrong to say it's sexist not to support Hillary.

[AnninCA]

He didn't say that. LOL* He said the sexist bias is obvious.

Totally different meaning.

[2008andbeyond]

"Foul mouth losers." And out went your credibility on this post.

Elton is not against Obama. He is for HIllary. If the blinded members of Camp Clinton, the true cult worshippers in this election, had a similar attitude you would be easier to deal with. It would be easiest if you all weren't hypcorites on the issues as well but that's asking too much.

Elton can support who he wants but you can't deny that he played the victim gender card, which should be beneath a diva. Can you imagine Ms. Ross, Aretha Franklin or Betty Davis doing such a thing? Had he been a Barack supporter and played the victim race card, I would've been bothered. Fortunately both cards are only dealt from Clintonland.

[treadway123]

Wow big guy! no one is putting Elton John down here! But this does raise serius and ethnical questions about how legal this is! Do you want a citizen of China, Iran, Syria, Afganstan,viet nam, kambodia, Columbia and other countrys involved in our elections and picking our president? Elton John is legally a citizen of the U.K! This could be a arguement for other countries to say if Elton John can donate to Americans Candidates for President-­---------S­o can We! This has nothing to do with Obama! This is A seriouse situation we all need to look at clearly and see what implication and problems this could cause for America. If your a American Citizen studlyguy, you should be lookin at rather you want to decide our next President or allow foreigners to do it for us! I admire Elton John as much as you do! A Lot of us do! He's in our lifes a lot and we tend to forget he is a foreigner! But facts are fact---and Americans need to pick our president, not foreigners! also, laws are laws! I think this is against the Laws In the United States!

[CBS]

He has a right to his opinion. It is too bad though that he is overlooking the fact that The Clintons have continually appealed to racist sentiments in the general population in order to gain support for Hillary's campaign. They did everything short of calling Obama "boy" but we heard it anyway.

[pinkyboo]

Continually? please list said appeals? Or is this just MORE HYPERBOLE? I support Obama - but please support your arguments with facts- and don't bring up the "fairy tale" bit - Ive heard the whole thing it was not racist.

[k6007]

Blacks have, for generations, had to depend on the understanding of 'code words' for their very lives. Because of this- They're instantly recognizable.

[2008andbeyond]

"Shuck and jive" (never heard that used in a presidential race before, but then a dark skiinned person has never made it this far).

"Jessie won South Carolina." (20 years ago... now why would Bill make that comparison when he could've referenced Edwards and the last election?..)

"We are so stupid that we would think Hillary and Bill Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues, when Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood that I won't say what he was doing.." (meaning blacks should support Hillary cause they done been so good to us, we don't need to think for ourselves).

"How race got into this thing is because Obama said 'race'"(even though at that time they never did).

The Lanny Davis editorial yesterday. The majority of Americans have not only moved past this issue but the truth is that if Davis wanted further explanation, he could ask Barack himself. Now why would he write an editorial about a candidate's retired black preacher in the WSJ, uness he wanted the clip of the angry black man, who is not running for president, continuing to reel of TV? Hmm..

[Aleka]

You -don't- find it odd that the republicans defend Obama on the Wright thing - yet Hillary and her surrogates find -some- reason to bring it up once every few days?

[Meggie]

And of course he voted for Margaret Thatcher every time he had the opportunity to, or is he also misogynistic? After all, there could not be any other reason that you wouldn't vote for the female, right
Elton?
What a crack pot he's turned into. Not sure he's much of an endorsement since this is his first public appearance in several years where he's not red-and-bl­otchy-face­d screaming at some poor working joe for the cameras. Is Hil sure she wants to be seen with the likes of him if she's going for the average working person's vote. I hope that they aren't as ignorant as she seems to think.

[Duncan77]

How do you know if he voted for Thatcher or not?