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

[McSurgent]

Now if I was an Obama supporter, first of all it would be obvious that Obama is gonna get the nomination. Therefore, why would I want to say anything dismissive about Hillary or her supporters. I figure we're gonna need the votes of as many Democrats as possible. You score the winning touchdown and you politely hand the ball to the official and shake you opponents hands in the spirit of friendship. You won - why the anger?

[k6007]

Why can't we dance in the endzone? You're welcome to join us.

[McSurgent]

See, you have the right spirit. Let Hillary stay on the field all she wants. Show that Obama spirit of unity which calls for Democrats to embrace Republicans. You are supposed to respond with that new kind of politics not the old mudslinging type. Dance!

[Meggie]

No anger, and that particular attitude, along with "they hate", that comes right out of the republican playbook.
In any case, the scenario you mention requires the LOSER to leave the field!

[ChiGuy]

Because Hillary people like Lanny Davis post editorials in the WSJ continuing to pump the Wright issue, despite the fact that the first salvo didn't hurt him at all.

The "kitchen sink" sleaze/smear campaign continues from the Hillary camp, and as long as that's happening, don't expect us to not respond in kind.

[YRM]

On the subject of misogyny - that is, the media's complete lack of respect when it comes to their interviews with Clinton - the exchange with NPR's Michelle Norris on Tuesday is a must-hear. The candidate seems at her best when on a cell phone traveling in a car, reacting spontaneously to the crud as it's slung at her. And Norris was loaded with it. Here's a link.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89476099

[SheTiffany]

I need to repost this.

You Hillaryites love to claim sexism and misogyny when convenient to do so. I have two words for you Hillaryites, Bob Johnson. You know him?

Bob Johnson is the founder/former owner of BET (Black Entertainment Trash). While Bob Johnson owned and ran BET, the videos shown on "BET After Dark" would show you whiny Hillaryites what misogyny and sexism really is. It was appalling. That show did not get dumped until that pimp sold BET to Viacom.

Who is Bob Johnson backing in the Democratic primaries? The same Bob Johnson who warned and threatened the most powerful female Democrat in the country.

If she would reject and denounce Bob Johnson, I might have an ounce of respect for her.

You all have some house cleaning to do of your own in Hillaryland, or is that "la-la land"?

[k6007]

Exactly!!!! Judge the company they CHOOSE to keep! Bob Johnson, What a PIG! ugh!

[pinkyboo]

So it's ok to judge Obama on the whole Rev. Wright business? 20 years

[bleek]

Bring on the US-bashing foreigners. Why does Hillary Clinton hate America?

[treadway123]

Could some one research for me if it is Legal for a foreigner to Donate to or campagne for a American citizen running for President or any goverment Office. I love Elton. But he's a citizen of the U.K! I believe this is against the U.S. laws and could open the door to other countries believeing they can control our Elections in the future by giveing large donation through a Singer or such they send to our country to raise money for the candidate of thier choice! I have a real problem with this guys! It has nothing to do with Obama, Clinton or Mccain! It's about our laws, and do we want foreigners involved with our goverment and elections!

[ChiGuy]

Lots of threads on the forum at John's own website.
He's getting trashed.

One example:
http://forums.prospero.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=eltonjohn&tid=2906

[WaynesWhirled]

Reading these posts sadly reafirms what many in the Gay community already suspect: Obama and many of his supporters have some serious HOMOPHOBIC issues!

[ChiGuy]

Lame try there Wayne.

[k6007]

Replace "Obama and his supporters" with Americans, and I'll agree with you and them.

[Lyria]

How would reading these posts indicate in any way that Obama has any homophobic issues. Your claim about some Obama supporters could be supported, but how can your claim about the candidate himself be supported? (As an aside, I am sure that there are plenty of Clinton supporters who have such issues as well. Homophobia is horribly widespread in our nation.)

[WaynesWhirled]

Because the candidate himself, associates himself with known anti-gay bigots like Donnie McClurkin and James T. Meeks, that's why!

[Lisette]

Hey Elton,
Came all the way accross the pond to insult us?
Go home and take your sharp tongue with you.

[pinkyboo]

He said SOME PEOPLE - not all. And he's right there are plenty of people in this country who are sexist or racist or homophobic- we all know this.

[dm92]

Yes, but mysogyny is not the reason I don't support Sen. Clinton's candidacy - I would love to see a woman as US President - not her.

[SheTiffany]

What people? The voters in the Democratic primaries?

[ChiGuy]

Why then, doesn't he also acknowledge those of us who oppose Hillary for other more legitimate reasons other than gender?

Never mind. The answer is obvious.

[flasher3838]

this is too funny. suddenly all the progresives that think they are so open minded and rightous in their search for justice hate the gays, the foreigners because one dared not be for their noble little barack. the biggest phony around. what a pathetic joke you people are

[FrankBlackFrancis]

Huh? Project much? There have been a couple of bad comments, but don't pin on them on progressives. Your the pathetic joke flasher. Bitter that your candidate is losing. Many of us support Barack for mainly one reason, he's the nominee. Get over yourself.

[Aywaller]

"[A]ll the progressives" do not "hate the gays, the foreigners . . ." as you claim. I am probably one of the biggest Elton John fans around. And I don't have a problem with Elton supporting Clinton. The only thing I do have a problem with is the assumption that those of us who do not support Clinton are doing it because we are mysogynists. I am not.

[shubes61]

aywaller..­. i'm with you, on every point.

[Mexitli]

"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."

Did Bernie Taupin write this for him?

[Taaj]

Hey Mexitli,

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

[Vergadoce]

Oh I wish, I wish AIDS was more potent and worked quicker. Then I wouldn't have to listen to this feeble-minded fruitcake ever again!

[pinkyboo]

WTF is wrong with you?

[pinkyboo]

Actually - that sort of post - I wish you had Aids too!

[Lyria]

The feeble mind seems to be all yours, vergadope.

[WaynesWhirled]

"Oh I wish, I wish AIDS was more potent and worked quicker. Then I wouldn't have to listen to this feeble-minded fruitcake ever again!"

---------------

Spoken like a true bigoted homophobic Obama supporter!

[FrankBlackFrancis]

Come on! And y'all claim it's Obama supporters ripping the party apart. The AIDS comment was un called for but to apply it to Obama supporters is ridiculous.

[Aleka]

WTF?

Could you -twist- reality a bit more please?

Sad and pathetic that you feel it appropriate to spew something as disgusting and baseless as this.

It just goes to show the kind of petty minded, malicious, and immature people Clinton draws. You make me sick.

[foofighter]

I am a moderate Obama supporter. I assure you that doesn't make me homophobic since I am gay myself and not at all self-loathing.

You do not have to reply to a stupid post by producing another stupid post!

[CBS]

Flagged. Hate speech is not allowed here.

[kid5rivers]

I support Senator Obama, but would have gone to Elton's show: Elton's a great talent.
Oh! Forgot to mention that i would have snuck in or gone in on a donated ticket, not my money, at all!

[desmirl]

Hillary VOTED FOR KYL-LIEBERMAN, a backdoor, trapdoor method that could allow Bush and Cheney to order a preemptive INVASION OF IRAN. That's why PROGRESSIVES re turned off!

[McSurgent]

Progressives didn't turn off, they turned into Obamans. Not too many real progressives around any more in America.

[k6007]

Hillary damned sure isn't one. But, thats probably what you like about her.

[Bluesman48]

Is that like a McMuffin?

[Hallucinocynic]

What's a 'real' progressive?

[desmirl]

What does an Englishman know of American politics? Progressives are not supporting Hillary because he votes in the Senate prove she's a WARMONGER! Elton's comment is a smokescreen, probably whispered to him by one of Hillary's handlers.

[pinkyboo]

He likes Hillary because she has been more outspoken than Obama on "gay rights" And he has a right to his opinion as does everyone else.

[Fabienne]

There are many facts to contradict the idea that Hillary Clinton has been more outspoken on gay rights. See the Daily Kos diaries today.

[naschkatze]

He's not a voter registered American citizen. . . as far as I know.

[tonyrich]

Who cares what he thinks of the US, He is a British citizen, solve your own countries problems, first.

[speakingtruth2power]

He's "a rebel from the waist down".