President West? I Ain’t Saying He’s a Vote Winner

Oh sweet Yeezus. Kayne for president? And—more alarming—Kim Kardashian as the first lady?

Two months ago, West left MTV’s “Video Music Awards (“VMAs”)” with a Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in his hand and a slack-jawed audience at his feet. In one of the most memorable acceptance speeches, he stumbled through a ten minute jumble of phrases, from juice conversations to oodles of “brahs.”

Then to everyone’s bewilderment, he topped his speech off with, “As you probably could’ve guessed by this moment, I have decided in 2020 to run for president.”

Well, his ego certainly qualifies him.

In the aftermath since, West has been all the rage. But let’s vacuum up the pop news fluff and consider—could Kanye West actually be a viable presidential candidate? Definitely.

Just look at the current trends.  Howard Fineman of the Huffington Post points out all Republican poll leaders have little political experience. West may be a celebrity, but so is Trump. West may not have a political background, but neither does neurosurgeon Carson. He does, however, have heavy experience in business, just as do Trump and Fiorina. Add in Democrat Sanders’ socialist views and we have the election of the radical. So, why can’t Yeezy make it four years from now?

Although his fashion lines may have met mixed reviews, it’s a far cry from Trump’s multiple bankruptcies and an alleged scam university. Carson himself said to ABC, “I was extremely impressed with his [West’s] business acumen.” West knows what people want, and he knows how money works.

The rapper is also able to connect to the everyday person, a quality that many other candidates, notably Hillary Clinton, lack. Not only is it in his music and marketing but also in his past. Growing up in the middle class with a single mother in Chicago rings familiar bells for many people nowadays.

Even now as a multi-millionaire, West has the U.S. citizen in mind. In a 2015 Breakfast Club interview, West said that the rich shouldn’t be asking themselves which luxury to buy, but instead, “How do we help the middle to the lower class to have a better life?” He’s stayed true to his word, aiding in many philanthropic organizations, most publicly Strong American Schools.

If anything though, it’s passion that will make West a powerful contender. Although his spats of anger need mangagement, as does his public speaking, one cannot deny his drive.

Forgotten by most, the music mogul made some deep points in the infamous VMA speech. West claimed, “We’re not gonna teach low self-esteem and hate to our kids. We’re gonna teach our kids that they can be something, that they can stand up for themselves, to believe in themselves…It ain’t about me, it’s about new ideas.”

For the ultra-egotistical West (who has referred to himself as God in songs), this is a surprising burst of humanity, one that is refreshing to hear from a potential presidential candidate. Politics are forgotten and for once, it’s just about the people and the innovation to boost them up.

That’s not the end, either. Over the years, West has made a name for himself in terms of human rights. He has been a longtime supporter of the LGBTQ community, calling for an end to homophobia in hip hop in a 2005 MTV interview. The evils of racism and police brutality have been brought up in his works (often rather harshly). He is also a member of Sound Strike, a group of musicians boycotting Arizona performances in opposition to their immigration laws, according to the TV network.

Misogyny has always been a parasite of West’s past, but according to a recent Vanity Fair interview, his two years living in the Kardashian household has made him a better man. Time will tell.

Most crucial of all, though, is his view on politics. “I want everyone to win,” he said to VF. “When I run for president, I’d prefer not to run against someone. I would be like ‘I want to work with you’…the idea of this separation and this gladiator battle takes away from the main focus that the world needs help.”

With hopes of harmony, education, equality and the neglection of political conflicts and nuances, West is definitely a man for the people. If he can focus that passion, bottle his ego and throw it out to sea, if he can manage his anger and make amends to his fiery past, West could be a serious contender for the 2020 election. If certain Celebrity Apprentice hosts can get this far, Yeezus can, too.

West even has the support of both the red and the blue. Carson said in his ABC interview he was “certainly willing to give him a chance.” The Democratic National Party’s Twitter account even voiced their approval of West’s declaration. Two month’s later, and he is set to play for their fundraiser on Oct. 10.

If nothing else, he could totally redecorate the White House, at least according to his wife.

Do I think he could win? Now I ain’t saying he’s a vote-winner, but he ain’t messing just for show, people. So go ‘head, Ye, go ‘head: be proud.

Photo by Wikimedia Commons