Dolly Parton is notoriously cagey about her political views, never aligning with one political party or candidate but instead pledging support and prayer to those who find themselves in elected positions. In spite of this fact (or likely because of it), some believed she had endorsed Hillary Clinton after an interview in The New York Times. Parton clarified the remarks in a statement today.
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Dolly Parton on Donald Trump, New Tour and ‘Simple’ Music »
Asked how she feels about a female presidential nominee, Parton responds in the interview with characteristic positivity and imagines the possibility of a woman in charge of the country.
“I think that that would be wonderful. Hillary might make as good a president as anybody ever has,” she says. She goes on to note that she thinks Clinton is very qualified, closing with the open-to-interpretation line, “So if she gets it, I’ll certainly be behind her.”
In her statement, Parton points out that she was merely responding to a question about a female presidential candidate and not endorsing one over the other. With trademark Parton wit, she also lampoons the absurdity of the national campaign trail with a couple zingers.
“This morning while I was watching the news I saw many reports that I had endorsed Hillary Clinton,” read Parton’s statement. “My comment about supporting a woman in the White House was taken out of context. I have not endorsed Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump. I try not to get political but if I am, I might as well just run myself ’cause I’ve got the hair for it, it’s huge, and they could always use more boobs in the race. But seriously, I have not decided who I’m voting for, but no matter what we’re gonna be suffering from P.M.S.: Presidential Mood Swings.”
Parton begins the second leg of her landmark Pure & Simple Tour July 19th at US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with dates scheduled through the end of 2016. The tour is named for her forthcoming album Pure & Simple, which will be out this summer.