Posted on 01/09/2004 8:04:05 PM PST by pixmo
The Material Girl, who announced her support for the Arkansan and former NATO commander last month, detailed Clark's qualifications in a letter released Wednesday on her Web site, www.Madonna.com.
"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," Madonna said.
Madonna, who calls England home, said she had never before aligned herself with a presidential candidate during the primary season.
She said she supported the former four-star general "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," she said.
Calling Clark "smart" and a "national hero," Madonna said she had committed to "do all that I can to help his campaign in the coming months."
She encouraged her fans to volunteer, donate to the campaign and vote for Clark.
The Clark campaign dispatched the letter to supporters via e-mail on Thursday.
"We're excited to have a big superstar endorse our four-star," Clark spokesman Bill Buck said. "I think it'll help bring new people into our grassroots movement."
Clark first met with Madonna in November and she has agreed to host a fund-raiser for Clark at her home in Los Angeles, Buck said.
Actor Ted Danson, actress Mary Steenburgen, and director Barry Levinson also are supporting Clark, according to the campaign.
Other presidential candidates also have racked up celebrity endorsements. For example, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean has the backing of director Rob Reiner and actor Martin Sheen. Rock band Hootie & the Blowfish endorsed Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., last month.
Celebrity endorsements will have little impact on Clark's candidacy, said Stuart Rothenberg, editor and publisher of The Rothenberg Political Report, an independent newsletter that analyzes elections.
"There are very few people who will support a political figure just because some actor or actress says so," he said. "More often than not they end up hurting candidates if they are lightning rods for controversy."
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