Billboard on Madonna
Madonna has never aligned herself with a presidential candidate during the primary season. But because “the stakes are just too high” right now, the performer says she is throwing her support behind Gen. Wesley Clark in the 2004 race. A spokesperson would not confirm reports that Madonna will host an upcoming fund-raiser for Clark in her Los Angeles home.
In a statement, she notes that she has looked at all the Democratic candidates. “I respect them all for their dedication and patriotism,” she said. “But I’m supporting Wes Clark because in him I see the qualifications, character and vision that we so desperately need.”
The singer/author said she thinks that this is something she must do, as a concerned mother, American citizen and celebrity. “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,” she said.
“Thankfully, we have a candidate running for president who is committed to ensuring that our country lives up to its promise and its people. Wes Clark 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.”
“If it helps, spread this message on to everyone you know,” she said. “My opinions have made news before. Let’s make some news in 2004.”
Madonna’s most recent Maverick/Warner Bros. album, American Life, has sold 622,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Late last year, the label released Remixed & Revisited, a seven-track EP featuring alternate remixes from American Life.
In the Jan. 17 issue of Billboard, Madonna has three songs on the Hot Dance Club Play chart: Nothing Fails (No. 8), Me Against the Music with Britney Spears (No. 9) and Nobody Knows Me (No. 17). Coming up is a maxi-CD of American Life track Love Profusion, with remixes by the Passengerz, Ralphi Rosario and Blow-Up.
This year, she also published the first two titles in a series of children’s books: The English Roses and Mr. Peabody’s Apples.
Article by Michael Paoletta/Billboard
Billboard.com