John McCain’s campaign has mocked Democratic rival Barack Obama as a celebrity, but the Republican candidate stepped into the world of show business himself on Monday with an endorsement from Daddy Yankee, a Reggaeton star from Puerto Rico. McCain introduced Daddy Yankee , 31, at a high school in the senator’s home city of Phoenix, ArizonaThe star, in a black shirt and sporting sparkling earrings and dark sunglasses, hugged some of the female students, prompting screams from the audience.
Some reporters covering McCain (including this correspondent) had not heard of Daddy Yankee and had at best a hazy understanding of Reggaeton, a style of urban music which mixes hip hop, reggae and other influences. But the 71-year-old senator seemed to have at least a passing familiarity with Daddy Yankee’s work. He praised the star, real name Ramon Ayala, as a “great American success story”.
McCain said the singer had come from a very poor family and a part of Puerto Rico where people often make wrong choices. He noted Ayala had been married for 15 years and had three children. Later, aboard McCain’s plane, the singer said he supported McCain because the senator had fought for immigration reform. “He’s always been a fighter for the Hispanic community,” he told reporters.
Daddy Yankee also displayed some impressive political skills when asked what one of his most famous songs, “Gasolina” — viewed by some as having rather raunchy lyrics — was about. “Energy independence,” he replied quickly, with a big smile.
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I just think that this is funny after all the celebrity ads about Obama. Like McCain isn’t just as celebrity, if not more.
- Posted by NicholeFolks, this is politics. You’ve got to praise the strategists behind Mccain. These people are smart “can do” people. At the beginning of the campaign, Obama was riding high in the polls with Oprah Winfrey on his side.
Mccain was very concerned but with proper and carefully orchstrated diabolic strategic ads he has begun to destroy the reputation of Obama. For instance, one of the ads potrayed Obama as a good close friend of Paris Hilton. We all know that Paris Hilton has a low reputation - now that’s gonna hurt.
Obama has suffered in this process, from his alleged assocaition with Pastor Wright and more. The democrats need to re-strategize and come up with well thought out ads that will create confusion in the voters mind and Mccain look bad as well.
Hispanics are not going to vote for Mccain - No way. Yankee Daddy is Yankee Doodoo. This exposure is good for his record label and possible movie endorsement.
America is RACIST country. At last white people will vote for Mccain and that will be the deciding factor - nothing more nothing less.
- Posted by The ShifterThank you Daddy Yankee. Obamajust picked up a gazillion votes! Richard
- Posted by RichardI will never support Daddy Yankee again !!!! He has made his choice… He is a fake sell out!!!
- Posted by zakelFunny, Daddy Yankee endorses John McCain but Daddy Yankee, who is from Puerto Rico, can’t vote in the presidential election.
Why does his endorsement matter?
You are a tricky one J.McCain!!
- Posted by D.RiosObama Song Spanish Reggaeton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0dMxqgS1 -8&NR=1
Cada día te quiero más que ayer y menos que mañana.
Sí se puede” Obama/Biden
- Posted by Me haces felizI wonder if McCain knows that,”Gasolina” means raunchy sex? He’s so lame but funny.
- Posted by Jimmy GreenToday Obama started loosing the internet vote when it was aired out the views of Biden on internet privacy, and internet monitoring (this dude wants to monitor p2p??? wtf)
Then McCain goes for the reggaeton vote, that’s a lot of young voters that want their families legalized in this country, I wouldn’t take that lightly, Daddy Yankee is known to millions and millions of latinos in this country.
End of the line, what daddy yankee says to them will matter, specially since many of them compare Obama to Chavez, they don’t want none of that leftist shit in this country, that’s what they’re running from
- Posted by GIt doesn’t make any sense why DY would support McCain other than for some enormous cash. DY’s answer of ‘energy independence’ to question about his ‘gasolina’ song contradicts with the song’s chorus ‘dame mas gasolina’. Or was DY just using irony in his cleverly phrased allegoric pop references?
- Posted by phantasmitoactually, I’m glad they posted this, cuz let’s face it, if it was Obama who did this, he’d not only be a laughing stock, but he’d lose all credibility. Why is it that McCain can actually do such idiotic things and escape unaffected?
- Posted by AshHow is this news?
- Posted by Maxso sad… just… so so sad…
- Posted by Ashgood for Daddy Yankee(never heard of him) probably not good for McCain. Seems a shameless, desperate act. Gobama!
- Posted by wesleyThe lead (lede) uses the word “mocked” to describe what McCain’s camp has done. Which of the following definitions of “mock” does the writer (cough) excuse me Reuters “reporter” intend to mean?
1. to attack or treat with ridicule, contempt, or derision.
2. to ridicule by mimicry of action or speech; mimic derisively.
3. to mimic, imitate, or counterfeit.
Was this a play on words? Blogs are not the same as news. But it would be nice if there was at least an attempt at impartiality.
And thank you Kyle for providing McCain’s record with Latinos and attempting to debunk the other comments alleging McCain had done “done nothing for Latinos.”
- Posted by Jessica FarleyWhat would you like McCain to do for Latinos that he hasn’t done or won’t do for Americans in general? It is misguided that any politician should have to cater to Blacks, Latinos, Christians or anyone else. They should have a platform applicable to all Americans and then let it be challenged/modified from there. America’s civil rights and laws of the land should not allow latinos to be Mexicans in America or Arabs in America (etc…), but if a latino or Muslim is a citizen of the USA then they should be American first and foremost. Of course a person should be proud of their heritage, but it should not usurp their citizenship.
- Posted by JasonMcCain is doomed.
- Posted by TockI hope that by the time im McCain’s age I have more homes than he has. Maybe even let someone run them so I don’t have to be bothered with it. Real Estate, if done right, supports itself. What do you bet every person McCain rents a house to is a Obama voter. Thats the difference in the parties. Socialism vs Capitalism. If McCain is a tired, senile old coot then Obama shouldn’t have a hard time taking him in an open forum debate. McCain has offered that opportunity up to Obama many times, whats Obama afraid of?
- Posted by Jake…but he wears big hats!
- Posted by ArtSpot