Tupac Shakur, a rapper and actor who built a career on controversy, announced his entry into the 2008 presidential race, declaring himself as the defender of all marginalized groups in America.
“We need to have our own political party ‘cause we all have the same problems. We built this nation and we get none of the benefits.”
Mr. Shakur announced his candidacy in Little Bobby Hutton Memorial Park, where the Black Panther was shot and killed by Oakland Police. Shakur’s political views and messages were molded on the Black Panthers. His mother, Afeni Shakur, was one of the Panther 21 and remains a prominent civil rights activist.
Tupac Shakur has long been a voice in the political sphere ever since former Vice President Dan Quayle declared his music to have “no place in society.” Shakur’s raps have long targeted those in government as overlooking the black community and those in poverty.
Shakur’s candidacy marks a sharp contrast to the current Democratic frontrunner, Senator Hillary Clinton. Clinton’s polished campaign has hoped to present an image of her as a strong leader, but critics have declared her as ingenuine and not enough of a change from the Republicans. Mr. Shakur did not hold back any punches when it came to the former First Lady.
“Your husband, Bill Clinton was present for eight years, and he did nothing for the black community. You talk, but you’ve got no action. You voted to back Ollie North’s colonial wars, and your husband cut welfare. I’ve see first hand how the Clintons damaged America; not just for black people, but for everyone.”
Mr. Shakur’s position as a political outsider serves as both an asset and a weakness. While he will have an easy time picking up traction in the polls due to his huge media profile, many might not take him seriously compared to Hillary Clinton and Al Gore’s candidacies. Terry McAuliffe, Chairman of the Clinton campaign, declared Shakur’s candidacy to be “nothing more than a publicity stunt” while Gore’s campaign manager Donna Brazile said “the next president needs executive experience.”
His announcement speech gave a detailed condemnation of an “imperialist foreign policy” and called for a new Constitution to be passed that would transition the country into a direct democracy. Shakur’s position on impeaching President North is likely the strongest of any of the Democratic candidates, and will act as a pressure towards Congressional Democrats. Along with his attacks on Clinton, Shakur attacked Al Gore for his failure in 2000 and Tipper Gore’s efforts with the PMRC.
Shakur insists that his campaign is a serious endeavor, pointing out that he has officially filed with the FEC and he would be willing to spend his personal fortune to win the Blair House. Forbes estimates that the rapper and actor is worth $275 million.
Mr. Shakur’s insurgent campaign is managed by human rights lawyer Chokwe Lumumba, who has represented Shakur previously. 2004’s insurgent candidate Mike Gravel has also joined the Shakur 2008 campaign, saying that the rapper’s campaign is the best hope for establishing a Legislature of the People. Several party insiders believe Majority Leader Daschle is privately backing the Shakur campaign, due to many of his former staffers offering their services.
It remains to be seen if Shakur’s radical campaign can go from long-shot to winning the nomination; but his presence will likely throw a wrench in the presidential race.