Bono Pro Santorum Pro Bono?

United States Senator Rick Santorum :: Photo Gallery

"Don't believe everything you read!" Jamie Drummond, Executive Director of DATA (debt AIDS trade Africa), the Africa Advocacy group co-founded by Bono

CNN played gotcha with my blood pressure today. They reported that Bono and U2 would hold a fundraising concert for PA's own right wingnut Senator Rick Santorum here in Philly on October 16. Then they retracted. Which is it? I had to know.

A Google search sent me to NewsMax.com's report Fundraiser for Senator Rick Santorum at U2 Concert

On Sunday, October 16, a unique political event will take place.

At a concert of the legendary rock group U2, Senator Rick Santorum will hold a fundraising event for one night only.

The thousand-dollar-a-seat fund-raiser has been put together by Sean and Ana Wolfington, and it will take place at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia in support of Santorum's reelection.

Santorum met Bono earlier this year, having been introduced by John Kasich, the former congressman from Ohio and host of Fox News Channel's "Heartland."

So what does the Irish rocker have in common with the conservative senator?

As in the case of Santorum, Bono's religious convictions inform his activities.

The U2 leader shared some of his faith perspectives with the author of the book "Bono in Conversation." He said, "It's a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the Universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people."

Santorum told "Christianity Today" that "faith is a source of morality; it's a source of virtue; it's a source of reason. It's a tremendous influence on my worldview."

Take me now, Satan. Say it ain't so, Bono.

And by the way, what is NewsMax: America's News Page? It's a right wing conservative Christian propaganda website (and magazine), not so cleverly disguised as a genuine news outlet. You don't have to search far to find the giveaways ... starting with today's Cover Guy, Charlton Heston, Alzheimer's victim, "screen legend and former president of the National Rifle Association" whose PR agent notes, "Got a call during the last Bush campaign (2004) from a staffer on the Bush campaign bus, who confided to me how much Charlton was missed."

One look at the contributors--Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Bill O'Reilly, David Limbaugh, James Hirsen, Michelle Malkin, Thomas Sowell, Barry Farber, Michael Reagan--tells you all you need to know. One glance at the flashing ads-- Build Handgun SWAT Skills, The Next 9/11 Begins This Month, BetOnIraq.com--makes you almost lose your lunch.

So is this where CNN got it's Bono-Santorum info? Or did Bono actually sign up to support Santorum and then have a politically correct change of heart? Inquiring minds want to know.

U2's official website has the answer.

Political Fundraisers (Not)

"We're posting the statement here because we've had a number of emails expressing concern about certain media stories people have read.

Jamie Drummond, Executive Director of DATA (debt AIDS trade Africa), the Africa Advocacy group co-founded by Bono said this earlier today:

'Throughout the U2 tour, politicians from both sides have been organizing fundraisers at the venues or around specific shows. Neither DATA or Bono are involved in these and they cannot be controlled. The U2 concerts are categorically not fundraisers for any politician - they are rock concerts for U2 fans.' [emphasis added]

Apparently, Santorum will use a luxury box during the U2 concert for a $1,000-a-head reelection campaign fundraiser. Not quite the same as a ringing U2 endorsement of Slick Rick.

The U2 site had one last thing to say in distancing itself from Santorum: "Don't believe everything you read!" To which I will simply add: Bono, Walk On