Country-turned-pop superstar Taylor Swift has been so apolitical over the years that jokingly decrying her silence on the controversy of the week has become a popular Twitter meme.
Not anymore.
In an Instagram post Sunday night, Swift included a lengthy statement opening up about some of her political views and endorsing two Tennessee Democrats. The former Nashvillian says she'll be voting in Tennessee for Phil Bredesen in the U.S. Senate race and U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper in the Fifth Congressional District. Swift also speaks against Bredesen's Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn.
"As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn," Swift writes. "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."
The announcement shook the internet last night, and unleashed a wave of almost-clever references to Swift song titles. We'd never reach for that low-hanging fruit. But you can read Swift's statement below. Tennessee Democrats aren't out of the woods just yet, but this endorsement doesn't hurt, given Swift's legion of dedicated fans. She and Blackburn definitely have bad blood now.
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