Elton John Rakes in $2.5M for Clinton at Benefit Concert, Calls Her Detractors Misogynists
Elton John kisses Hillary Clinton on stage Wednesday at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, as Bill Clinton applauds during the concert fundraiser. (AP Photo)
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.
since 1988, this country has been led by a bush or a clinton. i do not believe that the founding fathers of our democratic society ever intended for this nation to be led by such limited depth and diversity. ok, sure, john quincy adams came along, but 28 years after his father left office, and neither for multiple terms.
considering no other criteria, it is my belief that hillary brings nothing new, innovative, or refreshing to the leadership of the nation; rather, she touts as her own accomplishments and experience the same politics and influence as her husband. unfortunately, obama brings even less experience to the picture. even mccain is the same old, same old.
What a way to characterize those who don’t like Clinton. As a woman I find it funny my failure to like her means I don’t like women. I thought this campaign was to help us get past all the race and gender bias. I don’t like Clinton, because I don’t like her, not women in general. Some of my best friends are female. I find Hillary to be weak and to never take responsibility for her mistakes or misspeaks. I lost all respect for her when she stayed with Bill after all the affairs. At that point, I realized she had no concept of loyalty in a relationship and was staying for political reasons only. While I don’t believe that most people’s familly life is open to the public, but theirs is as it occurred in the public eye and in the White House. The affairs left him open to blackmail while President and this could have affected me and my family. Hillary’s argument that it was all a “right wing conspiracy” was stupid, the right wind didn’t make Bill unfaithful. I don’t agree with staying with a cheating spouse that continually repeats this disrespectful act.
And the gender card is played by yet another Clinton ‘proxy’.
I don’t get it. If you don’t like Hillary you’re somehow classified as a hater of all women. That makes about as much sense at accusing one of being a racist if they don’t support Obama. Am I an ‘agist’ if I don’t support McCain? Where does it end?
When are people going to figure out that its not the gender that a lot of people have issue with - its the individual.
I don’t hate women; I am one. I just can’t Hilary, and it has nothing to do with her being a woman. I like Condi Rice just fine!
Go Hillay go…bust that party up …your doing a fine job. The greater the divide you cause the better for McCain. Your power hungry existance may just bring down the Democrat party. As for Elton John…the Kings of old never would have given him the title of “Sir” just becuase someone can sing does not entitle them to knighthood, it’s a disgrace.