Mrs. Cheney Vs. Slim Shady

Lynne Cheney says she is "amazed and dismayed" that rock star Elton John is going to perform at the Grammys tonight with rapper Eminem, whose lyrics chronicle violence against women and gays.

The vice president's wife has taken an active role in condemning the music industry for promoting artists with violent lyrics and has been especially critical of Eminem.

"This certainly isn't the first time, but Eminem is certainly, I think, the most extreme example of rock lyrics used to demean women, advocate violence against women, violence against gay people," Mrs. Cheney said Tuesday in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

"Elton John has been good in the past about speaking out on issues of equality for gay people, on issues of being against violent language against gay people," she said. "I am quite amazed and dismayed that he would choose to perform with Eminem."

John has said he hopes to influence Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, at the Grammys to deliver his message in a more respectable way.

The rapper's The Marshall Mathers LP has been nominated by the Recording Academy for album of the year, and Eminem is nominated for three other awards.

Eminem has said his lyrics should not be taken literally.

The 43rd annual Grammys airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.