Rapper Ludacris Hypes Obama, Knocks McCain
Grammy Award-winning rapper Ludacris has released a new song called "Politics: Obama is Here", in which he disparages Hillary Clinton, Jesse Jackson and John McCain but has nothing but praise for Barack Obama, whom he asks to make him his vice president or give him "a special pardon if I'm ever in the slammer."
Ludacris, who has clashed with Fox News' Bill O'Reilly and Oprah Winfrey in the past, uses some irreverent language in the new song and encourages black Americans to propel Obama to victory and "paint the White House black."
The rapper saves some of his harshest critiques for McCain: "McCain don't belong in any chair unless he's paralyzed."
Update: The Politico's Ben Smith reports the Obama campaign has condemned the Ludacris song.
"As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn't want his daughters or any children exposed to," said spokesman Bill Burton. "This song is not only outrageously offensive to Senator Clinton, Reverend Jackson, Senator McCain, and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics."
