Posted on 10/12/2005 12:06:17 PM PDT by jern
U2 (tickets | music) concerts will be the site for the upcoming political fundraisers of two disparate U.S. senators, but the band isn't endorsing the candidates or the events.
"It is not uncommon for politicians, from both parties, to organize events at all kinds of music concerts and other entertainment events," said a statement issued by Jamie Drummond, executive director of Data, the African advocacy group co-founded by U2 frontman Bono. "If any political fundraising events take place at a U2 concert, it is without the involvement or knowledge of Data, U2 or Bono. U2 concerts are categorically not fundraisers for any politician--they are rock concerts for U2 fans." Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, a Republican, reportedly plans to host a $1,000-per-person event at U2's Sunday (10/16) concert at Philadelphia's Wachovia Center. He's raising money for his re-election campaign.
Meanwhile, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, a Democrat, reportedly will be on hand for U2's Oct. 19 show at Washington, DC's MCI Center. She is hosting a $2,500-per-person fundraiser for one of her Political Action Committees.
U2 is in the midst of a fall tour of North America to support the group's 2004 album, "How to Dismantle and Atomic Bomb."
Sounds like an endrun around campaign finance laws to me...
BINGO!
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