- Music
- 13 Oct 05
U2 have hit out at former first lady Hilary Clinton after it was revealed that she is using their Washington concert as an opportunity to fundraise for the Democrat Party.
She has offered 18 people the opportunity to use her luxury suite at the Washington MCI Theatre during their concert, in return for a party donation to the tune of $2,500 (€2,100). The funds will be used for her 2006 re-election campaign.
Mrs Clinton’s spokeswoman said: "We do a meet-and-greet with the senator, and then go in and listen to music."
It also transpires that Rick Santorum from the Republican Party has planned a similar event at U2’s Philadephia show, where he is charging $1,000 for the experience.
U2 were quick to condemn the actions, especially after mistaken media reports linked the band to the Santorum.
Making their position crystal clear, a spokesperson for the Irish rockers said: "Throughout the U2 tour, politicians from both sides have been organizing fund-raisers at the venues or around specific shows. U2 concerts are categorically not fundraisers for any politician."
He added: "They are rock concerts for U2 fans."