Not sure if this is Music: Non-Prince or Politics & Religion so I put it here instead.

Here is her official statement from www.madonna.com.

I've never done this before. But life is about taking risks is it not?
I know that people seem to pay attention to everything I do. Big or Small. Ridiculous or Sublime. So I am hoping they pay attention to this:

I am supporting General Wesley Clark for President.

Not only as a "celebrity" but as an American citizen and as a mother. I want my children to grow up with the same opportunities that I had – to know and understand what's going on in the world and to travel that world safely and with pride.

Now I'm asking you to join me.

http://www.clark04.com/

I am writing to you because the future I wish for my children is at risk.

Our greatest risk is not terrorism and it's not Iraq or the "Axis of Evil." Our greatest risk is a lack of leadership, a lack of honesty and a complete lack of consciousness. Unfortunately our current government cannot see the big picture. They think too small. They suffer from the "what's in it for me?" syndrome. The simple truth is that the current administration has squandered incredible opportunities to bring the world together, to promote peace in regions that have only known war, to encourage health in places that are ravaged with disease, to make us more secure by living up to our principles at home and abroad. The simple truth is that the policies of our current administration do not reflect what is great about America.

Thankfully, there is now a candidate running for President who is committed to ensuring that our country lives up to its promise and its people. He is a decorated soldier and a respected diplomatic leader, who has already given 34 years to his country. He is smart and he is good. He has worked hard to get where he is and he is a national hero.

A perfect example of the American Dream.

I've never aligned myself with a presidential candidate during the primary season. But this time, the stakes are too high, we have too much to lose and there is so much work to be done.

I'm supporting General Wesley Clark in 2004 and have committed to do all that I can to help his campaign in the coming months. I ask you to visit his website today to learn about his candidacy, his vision for our nation and the many ways you can get involved.

I've looked at all the Democratic candidates. I respect them all for their dedication and patriotism. But I'm supporting Wes Clark because in him I see the qualifications, character and vision that we so desperately need.

We are a country with incredible promise. As Americans we enjoy opportunities like no other. Unfortunately we take these opportunities for granted. You may not agree with everything I say or do, but whether you're rich or poor, young or old, black or white, gay or straight, I know you share my concern and recognize the need for change.

Even if you've never been involved with politics before, please consider joining with me. If you can give, give generously. If you can volunteer time, get involved now. And if you can vote, this time…make sure you do.

Wesley Clark has asked for my support and now I'm asking for yours

Madonna


PS: Please spread this message to everyone you know.

very smooth pr move... for madonna

she was deemed anti-american for her adoption of a british accent and moving to england. then she was considered even less of a patriot because of her video (the version that was pulled). her record sales have been pitiful in this country. and now she makes a public statement giving support to a specific political figure. very smart! i'm not saying she doesn't believe in wes clark but it is very interesting that she's publicly supporting him.

He's very gay-friendly, isn't he?



Why have I never heard of him before?

BinaryJustin said:

that's interesting because i haven't heard anything from the 'gay agenda' on his platform. i wonder if he keeps that on the dl?

TRON said:

!!!

Well Madonna would know all about that syndrome...

Well,it's nice to know that Madonna is a Democrat

I heard about this last night on a local news station.

Thanks for posting her release, I found it very eloquent.

SassyBritches said:

Surely you aren't implying that she's supporting him just to boost her own standing with the American people? That's absurd.Besides,at this point,it's highly unlikely that Wesley Clark will even get the Democratic nomination.Supporting a losing candidate really won't do HER any favors,will it?

DavidEye said:

It's all just a ploy to get attention for "American Life".

TRON said:

yeah I just love how people always assume that EVERYTHING she does is solely for the purpose of selling records or promoting herself.

DavidEye said:

It's true. She hasn't made one truthful, organic move in her entire life.

The babies, the marraige, the religions, all of it. Sell! Sell! Sell!

TRON said:

it's sad cos a lot of people believe that it's true!

TRON said:

I'm not well versed on the US political system, but by what date is the final candidate for the Democrats chosen?

She'll just love Weasley Clark once he gets his grubby little hands on more of her paychecks.

Clark is a complete and utter moron. The man was withdrawn from his military post because of his character flaws. The man wants to drop 50% of the taxpayers from paying income tax, all in an effort to ensure more Democrat voters in the future. And the man once made a statement about how "America was founded on the basis of Progressive Taxation" which was considered Unconstitutional until more recent times. He has been flip flopping on issues more than Dean and still has yet to come up with a solid policy besides his rediculous taxation thoughts.

Come to think of it, have any of the Democratic Candidates come up with an alternative policy? Or do they just bash Bush all the time without actually saying what they would be doing to fix things? hmmm...

sabaisabai said:

By March 9.That's when Florida,Texas and the southern states get to vote in the Democratic primary.Known as "Super Tuesday".But,let's face it,the race will be decided several weeks before that.Many of the other candidates would have dropped out by then,if they're doing badly and still trailing Howard Dean in the polls.
[This message was edited Thu Jan 8 5:51:11 PST 2004 by DavidEye]

coqui said:

Gephart has a lot of solid ideas and experience. At this point, I'd say he has the most well thought out platform. Pity he doesn't have more support at this stage.

TRON said:

The problem is...Gephardt,Kerry and Lieberman may have experience and some good ideas,but they just don't excite the Democratic base.Howard Dean isn't perfect,but at least he's getting the Dems excited,the same way that Clinton did in 1992.

But anything could happen.It's still likely that somebody OTHER than Dean could get the nomination.I predict that,if Dean stumbles and loses momentum,Clark is the one who will benefit.It's a shame that Clark has ruled out a Vice-presidential slot.A Dean/Clark ticket would generate alot of excitement.
[This message was edited Thu Jan 8 6:01:47 PST 2004 by DavidEye]

DavidEye said:

I disagree. I think a lot of true democrats are scared of Dean. The guy is so far left that if he does become President we better hope we still have a Republican Congress to keep his crap from passing. Shit, I'm almost hoping he wins to stop the Republicans from passing their crap.

Three cheers for gridlock!! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!

DavidEye said:

Of course I'm not implying that she's supporting him in order to boost her sales. I'm implying that she is making a public statement about it to boost sales and get media attention. i have no doubts that she supports clarke. madonna usually keeps her private life just that, private. unless she wants attention for it. i think its a savvy move. she gets to do what she believes in and gets a little media attention at the same time. why is that so hard to believe? c'mon, we're talking about madonna! lol.
[This message was edited Thu Jan 8 7:00:53 PST 2004 by SassyBritches]

TRON said:

i love madonna. really i do. but let's face it, warren beatty said it best in "truth or dare" when he said "why do anything off camera. why would you say anything if you said it off camera". the woman has lasted in the industry because she has devoted her life to it. i seriously doubt she makes any public moves without thinking through the most beneficial spin. though i think the claims of having kids for attention are extreme, even for madonna.

ahhh,now I know exactly who this "sassybritches" person is.We've had this same debate before when he used another name.

welcome back,pal!

DavidEye said:

SassyBritches said:

don't worry,your secret is safe with me...lol...

Oooohhh Yeeeaaa!

The Machooo Man and Dubya will go Tag Team on the Iron Sheik Osama and Wesley Clark. I'll drop an elbow on Wesley Clark from the top turnbuckle.

Oooohhh Yeeeaaa!

This will give loads of credibility to Clark.

oh for fucks sake




not only is HE an idiot, but so's she... first of all, is she even still a U.S. citizen?


second, the only reason she's supporting him, is because he came to talk to her. had Howard Dean or Joseph Lieberman taken 5 minutes to talk to her first, would she be trumpeting them?


third, does she not see how transparent he is? several weeks ago, his campaign had announced that he was going to bypass campaigning in the states where the first several primaries were taking place, and would instead go to Hollywood to get celebrity endorsements. i guess he found a sucker.




edit---

oh, and for the first several people that jump on me for being some conservative republican against free speech... cram it.


i'm more liberal than probably 90% of the people on this board, but there are 2 things (out of many) that i really hate: 1) Wesley Clark and 2) celebrities (ANY CELEBRITIES) giving political opinions (on either side... fuck you too, Tom Selleck and Patricia Heaton).


today i'm sad to be a Madonna fan
[This message was edited Thu Jan 8 17:33:09 PST 2004 by AaronAlmighty]

AaronAlmighty said:

Settle down! Jesus!

TRON said:

call me Aaron when we're among the flock
[This message was edited Thu Jan 8 18:29:08 PST 2004 by AaronAlmighty]

AaronAlmighty said:

But honestly, is it worth getting that heated over?