In an interview with singer Elton John on Tuesday's NBC Today that focused on the performer's AIDS awareness activism, co-host Matt Lauer teed him up to rate recent presidents on combating the disease: "Elton champions those he feels made a positive impact on the AIDS epidemic, but he also takes to task those he believes caused harm. And he doesn't hold back." [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]
Lauer declared: "Let's play a little game of political word association. Give me the brief answer to each of the names that I'm going to throw out, just your first reaction. Ronald Reagan." John sniffed: "Overrated." Lauer continued: "Bill Clinton." John gushed: "Fantastic. Made some big mistakes but, God, he's a fantastic man."
When Lauer brought up George W. Bush, John initially had praise: "I have a kind of soft spot for him in a way because he was very – what he did for AIDS was fantastic." Then John quickly added: "But I'm glad he's not in power anymore."
Moments later, Lauer turned to President Obama announcing his support for gay marriage and wondered: "As a gay man, how did you feel about it?" John proclaimed: "I think it's wonderful that he did that. You know, he's done a lot, he got rid of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. And you know, you just can't do things overnight and I really appreciate what he's done."
When Lauer brought up the possibility of Obama doing it for political reasons and to boost campaign fundraising, John dismissed such concerns: "Well, it's the right thing to do. It's ratification of our rights."
Wrapping up the segment, Lauer concluded: "Elton John is incredibly outspoken."
Here is a portion of the July 17 exchange:
8:23AM ET
(...)
ELTON JOHN: Overrated.
LAUER: Bill Clinton.
JOHN: Fantastic. Made some big mistakes but, God, he's a fantastic man.
LAUER: George W. Bush.
JOHN: I have a kind of soft spot for him in a way because he was very – what he did for AIDS was fantastic. But I'm glad he's not in power anymore.
LAUER: So for one issue...
JOHN: He was brilliant on this.
LAUER: ...he was the guy-
JOHN: Yeah, he was fantastic with AIDS.
LAUER: Not long ago, President Obama in an interview said he supports gay marriage. As a gay man, how did you feel about it?
LAUER: But do you think he said it for political reasons? That he was forced into a corner where he had to say it.
JOHN: By Joe Biden?
LAUER: Well, not only by Joe Biden, by some who were holding back financing and fundraising money until he came out and made that comment?
JOHN: Well, it's the right thing to do. It's ratification of our rights.
LAUER: Elton John is incredibly outspoken.
(...)
