The King is a Friend of Hers

Hillary Clinton (D-NY) reacts as "Belvis the Black Elvis" Dwayne Turner performs for her at the Kitchen Express Restaurant in Little Rock, Arkansas January 30, 2008. (AP).

By Anne E. Kornblut
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- In the topsy-turvy war of endorsements, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton picked up a surprise one here this morning: Little Rock's own Belvis. An entertainer -- one of a few -- known as the Black Elvis.

"One for the money, two for the show," belted out Belvis, nee Wayne Turner, across the crowded Kitchen Express diner as Clinton worked the crowd, to the tune of 'Blue Suede Shoes. "Three to get ready -- Go Hillary, go!"

Turner, 39, dressed in an all-white, bejeweled jumpsuit, said he met Bill Clinton during his gubernatorial days here and still reveres the couple. He offered to sing at the next Clinton inauguration. Clinton, looking delighted if a little surprised by the appearance, embraced Turner and thanked him for his support. One Clinton aide acknowledged that for all the campaign's well-laid plans, Belvis was not a plant.