Not that I was preparing to rush out and buy an Elton John CD or anything, but if I was, I'd probably rethink it.
John - following in the footsteps of legions of politically astute entertainers before him - was waxing political at a fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall with Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Wednesday night. Yeah, an evening with Elton and the Clintons. Sounds like a rippin' good time, eh?The event netted $2.5 million for Hillary's cash-strapped campaign. (She raised $20 million in March. Barack Obama raised $40 million.)
Newsday reported about 5,000 people showed up, paying anywhere from $125 to $2,300 to get in.
Bill was in usual form - introducing his wife, thanking the packed house for contributions and asking for more. "If you know anybody who didn't come here tonight who could send some money over the Internet ...," he was quoted as saying.
Elton sang some songs, but before that, he offered up the bitter sentiment that it's sexism that's sinking his friend Hillary's campaign.
"I never cease to be amazed by the misogynistic attitudes of some people in this country," he said. "I say to hell with them. ... I love you, Hillary, I'll always be there for you."
Elton, here's a flash. Hillary's campaign isn't suffering because she's a woman. It's suffering because she's Hillary.
The vast majority of Americans are not misogynists. We aren't a bunch of woman-haters.
But there are lots of us who don't like Hillary, her policies and her brand of politics.
And I tend to question the wisdom of the Elton fundraiser idea in the first place.
During the event, Hillary said, "What I want you to know is, I'm still standing ... I believe that this country is worth fighting for, so we're taking our campaign to Pennsylvania and to all the states that haven't voted."
OK, so how do you suppose the whole Elton vibe plays out in PA or Indiana or North Carolina or any of the other remaining states with primaries? Do you think people in all those states appreciate the notion that if they don't vote for Hillary they're a bunch of unenlightened misogynists?
What? They're walking around holding big clubs and dragging women by the hair?
This, on the heels of Bill's Colombian trade tomfoolery, may actually sink her in PA.
Hillary was in that state earlier Wednesday doing a little damage control, letting everyone know she was opposed to the Colombia free trade agreement.
She has to do that for two reasons.
First, because trade is a huge issue in PA. Lots of the state's manufacturing jobs have found their way overseas and unions say the Colombia deal makes it easier for companies to outsource.
Second, because Bill backs the agreement and was paid $800,000 by trade pact advocates to talk up the deal.
"I have a long record of being on a different attitude toward trade than my husband does," she said. "I don't think any married couple I know agrees on everything, and we disagree on this."
Well, I don't know exactly how long a history she's talking about, because I don't recall her being a huge opponent of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Bill steered that into existence when he was president and I don't recall her trying to stop him.
All in all, it wasn't a great week for Hillary with polls showing her lead shrinking in PA.
Who is advising this poor woman's campaign? I swear I could do a better job for her and I don't even want her to win.
