MIDDLETOWN, N.J. – Musician Jon Bon Jovi (search) says criticism and intimidation won't stop him from speaking out in support of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (search), who raised $1 million at the singer's home Monday night.
"I've received hate mail at my house. I've had people drive by my home and shout things out," Bon Jovi told guests gathered outside his home along the Navesink River. "And I think that they question my patriotism because I decided to stand up and have a voice. And I stood up to have a voice because I think that's the most American thing that you can do."
More than 300 people attended the fund-raiser, including actors Meg Ryan, James Gandolfini and Steve Buscemi, both of HBO's "The Sopranos," and Richard Belzer of NBC's "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit."
Kerry arrived via helicopter from Atlantic City, where he was staying the night and speaking to an AFL-CIO (search) convention Tuesday morning.
"I know it makes a lot of you nervous," Kerry told the guests, "the idea of my coming here to a fund-raiser, leaving at 8:30 with a million dollars and then 11 o'clock I'm on the news at the blackjack table in Atlantic City. I promise I will not gamble with your money the way George Bush has gambled with the money of this country."
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox