Pop star Taylor Swift rarely speaks out in favor of political candidates.
“In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions,” she wrote on Instagram Sunday evening.
But she’s giving her unequivocal support to former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, the Democrat running against Republican Marsha Blackburn in the race to replace retiring U.S. Senator Bob Corker. She also said she’s supporting Jim Cooper, a Tennessee Democrat who represents the state’s 5th congressional district, which includes Nashville.
“I cannot support Marsha Blackburn,” wrote Swift. “Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives.”
Her Instagram statement has been met with both praise and derision.
“If you haven’t heard, multimillionaire pop star Taylor Swift came down from her ivory tower to tell hardworking Tennesseans to vote for Phil Bredesen,” said the National Republican Senatorial Committee, a national organization devoted to strengthening the Republican Senate Majority and electing Republicans to the United States Senate.
On Twitter, Bredesen’s campaign issued a statement of gratitude:
“Thank you for the kind words @taylorswift13. I’m honored to have your support and that of so many Tennesseans who are ready to put aside the partisan shouting and get things done.”
Satirical Web site The Onion published an article poking fun at Swift's rare political endorsement, with the headline Taylor Swift Breaks Political Silence To Throw Support Behind Restoring Sh?gun To Throne Of Japan.
