February 11, 2009 5:41 PM

Obama Meets With Ludacris

(AP)  Barack Obama is coming for that Number One Spot.

The senator, contemplating a run for president in 2008, met privately with Ludacris on Wednesday. "We talked about empowering the youth," said the rapper, whose real name is Chris Bridges.

Ludacris was in town to launch the YouthAIDS "Kick Me" campaign to raise HIV/AIDS awareness during a stop at Northwestern University in the Chicago suburb of Evanston.

The meeting at Obama's downtown Chicago office was a meeting of two star powers: Obama, who enjoys rock star-like status on the political scene, and Ludacris, a music superstar and budding actor.

They both have won Grammy awards: Obama for readings from his memoir, "Dreams From My Father," and Ludacris for his verse on Usher's "Yeah!"

Bridges said meeting Obama, known for his warm personal style, was like meeting with a relative. Obama declined to comment after their meeting, but walked with Bridges to the elevator as he left.

The spotlight has been on Obama, a first-term Democrat from Illinois, as he mulls a run for the White House in 2008. Obama has said he would make a decision in the coming months.

Photos: Celebrities With A Cause
Ludacris' latest album, "Release Therapy," debuted at No. 1 in September. His numerous hits include "Number One Spot" and the current "Moneymaker." He also has delivered well-reviewed performances in the Oscar-winning film "Crash" and "Hustle & Flow."

© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Add a Comment
by the_mirror December 2, 2006 10:39 AM EST
Notice Obama did not comment, only Bridges-if it is brought up Obama will sit on it until Bridges comes out with how Obama was mentoring and reaching out to him to change his style of rapping to a more positive light.

It would be a set up for finger pointers.
Reply to this comment
by angryliberal-2009 December 1, 2006 5:44 PM EST
and for some reason, kids look up to this extreme looser
Reply to this comment
by angryliberal-2009 December 1, 2006 5:44 PM EST
The aids epedemic is easy to solve.... DOnt have any *** before marriage, dont do heroine (or any drugs), and dont screw a guy if you're a guy or a girl if your a girl...problem solved.

people like "ludacris" acually help increase aids because all he sings about is drugs and ***......
Reply to this comment
by angryliberal-2009 December 1, 2006 5:35 PM EST
Let me guess, here is the lyrics to their song.

HEy Mother ***** dont **** with aids, aids is a mother *****'* pain in the *** and if you have aids no more hoes will **** you. What n***** what hey ho hey ho what on and on....

What a great service Obama has doen for this country.
Reply to this comment
by angryliberal-2009 December 1, 2006 5:31 PM EST
This doesnt seem like a good Idea for Obamma?!?! To associate with someone who calls women "******" and "Hoes". Ludracris glories gang life and violence and uses every profanity imaginable. Someone who uses the N-word constantly and someone who is outright racist against whites.

You can be sure if Obama runs for president this will come up. This seems like a bonehead mistake politically....
Reply to this comment
by agnim December 1, 2006 1:02 AM EST
The nation badly needs education to prevent AIDS from exploding through the population.
Any effort to assist in this regard from individuals who have any influence in the society is a boon for all.


And you jokers were just looking excuses for not voting for Obama; sooner or later you had to come up with some lame excuse. And the sooner the better, less Obama deceive himself that he could ever depend on your fake arses.
Reply to this comment
by sailorsgrave November 30, 2006 9:39 PM EST
I was just packing my stuff to jump on the Obama bandwagon.......until I read this. Meeting with Ludacris to empower youth??? Empower them to do what??? Believe that becoming a rapper is a legitimate career goal....? Perhaps he could bring in Britney as well in an effort to produce well rounded young women, and while he's at it he could get Kramer to speak on behalf of race relations......
Reply to this comment
by olebd November 30, 2006 6:58 PM EST
Well he has definitely lost my vote.

Reply to this comment
.
Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook