WASHINGTON (CNN) - He's already an accomplished rap star with an impressive acting resume. But for Cris 'Ludacris' Bridges, platinum selling records and academy-award winning films isn't enough.
His next endeavor? A bid as a 2012 presidential hopeful.
In an address to the National Press Club in Washington Friday, Ludacris joked that "as long as they don't use some of the things that people want to criticize me for in the past during my Campaign. I feel like I have a very strong chance of winning."
He is perhaps best known for his sometimes-controversial lyrics. His 2008 release of "Politics" was meant to show support for then-candidate Barack Obama, but it was received unfavorably by some for its negative comments toward then-Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. John McCain, among others.
Ludacris is in Washington hosting the 6th annual gala dinner for his philanthropy, 'The Ludacris Foundation.' He noted that with his organization, he is "answering President Obama's call to service."
"The Gala will recognize the achievements of five individuals with a rich history of giving back and who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service," he said according to a release.
The foundation is presenting Rep. Maxine Waters with its first annual Congressional Leadership Award. The Ludacris Foundation teamed up with the California Democrat in providing assistance to underserved communities in her district of South Central Los Angeles.
Other honorees include legendary music producer Quincy Jones and BET CEO Debra Lee.
From CNN Politics
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Lotsa black people mentioned in this article. I look forward to an exceptionally acerbic batch of posts from GOPers.
Since president Bush ascendence to power, many believe this thing is a joke. Good luck with that my friend!
He couldn't be any worse.
Ludacris for President is just .......... LUDACROUS!!!
Three years and a gangsta rapper. Little premature to think this guy has even the remotest chance.
Ludacris is Ludacrious.
sheesh ... some people really ARE rediculous.
Stick wit rappin Luda...you're good at that...
COME ON NOW!!!! Stop trying to undermine what a great man President Obama is!!!!! Just because he is the first African American president – don't think you could be the NEXT!!! NO way NO how NO shape NO form – stick to your music and any company you may own as being the founder and PRESIDENT of!!! JEEZ – stupidity running AMUCK!!!
Watch out Obama, many of the blacks will relate with this rapper and VOTE for him just because he MAY BE more black than you!
really??
Oh please...what about me. I want to run for President too. Who cares?
Luudaa for president!! lol
Not necessary – there will already be a slate of ludicrous opponents when the republicans delcare their candidates.
Oh for the love of....
Take all the MONEY and Burn it. Then get food, shelter, healthcare, clothes, shoes, dental care, coats for everyone on Earht because we are following the teachings of the gods we speak about. Than we work to get the Bio-Regional Systems back in sync. We divest of all killing products like GMO's, (Monsanto), WMD's (A bunch), Big Pharmas, Diagnostics Keeps on Profitting Program and a bunch more. NO MO FISHING by Computers as the Oceans are dying. No MO Chemicals into the Soil as we are being killed and Cancered to DEATH! Down with WAR, UP With People/Animals. Let US ALL CREATE SOME PEACE, FREEOOM, Goodwill toward men, and all the rest of these things we all seek, but run like the Wind from. FEAR Is about to be our undoing OR we can get it right for a huge massive CHANGE we can believe in. This here Capitalism stuff is the ruination of this world if we don't all get on the same page and end this selfish greed, coveting, and all thee other deadly habits we worship unto our own deaths. Divest of the ugly weed, Tobacco. Divest of the Nasty killing of our master plants-Trees. HEMP can make all the paper and cloths we need and more durable, too. We could start walking and just stay home more as Capitalism is falling by it's own hand anyway. Rich screw up and get assisted! Hmmm? Others never get a piece and they get sold a bill of goods and have to pay for it all. Talk about Madoff. He has nothing on this Corporatocracy and their endless legalized Ponzi Scheme! Congress, just go home. Bernie Sanders, Dennis Kucinich, Me, Michael Moore, The Nation, HuffPO, Thom Hartmann and the Progressive Radio Crew, Ed, Steph and all the rest. We got this Obama if you'd just all step aside and let us lead you. Stop this FREE Market Capitalism as it coss too much. It is WRONG for this world. Just look at what it is doing to our HOME! Peace
Well he is about as ready as Palin will be in 2012...
Ludacris should be on the same ticket as Palin, they'd make a perfect pair, ludacris.
Ludacris: You ain't got a prayer!
What a joke. You whites will find anything to amuze yourselves with. Now you know this man does not have chinaman chance in hell to run for anything other than rap. This isn't even worth talking about. Some things just should not be a conversation and just let it go.
That idea my dear, IS LUDACRIS!
Now this is funny, I don't care who you are! He would do a better job than the one we have now.
I think that we need more independent and alternative candidates. President Obama is not listening to us. If Ludicris has a new point of view or thinks that he can do better, then I'm happy to listen to him with an open mind. My feeling is that we can't fix this problem until we get every single adult working and paying some taxes. Currently less than 50% of our citizens work, less than 40% of our citizens pay any federal income tax at all! A country cannot succeed this way. Everyone work, everyone pays some taxes, rich pay more than poor...it's not that complicated. Even Ludicrus can do it.
Why not........Your as qualified as Sarah Palin
LOL – this country is friggin' stupid enough to vote for him, too!
He now qualifies for a rhyming adjective – LUDICROUS LUDACRIS.
Great title for his next album.
Ludiscrous meaning laughable or hilarious because of obvious absurdity. Obvious Absurdity being his belief that he could be President. Not even when pigs fly.
and how Ludicris is that!
rapper against a joke, rapper will win. Obama LIES
Ludacris is more lucid than Obama. He would have my vote in any democratic primary.
All I can say, is that Rush Limbaugh and Glenn becks heads may collectively explode if they find Ludacris with higher numbers than any Republican candidate...Of course I doubt anyone would take Ludacris seriously....no more than Sarah Palin...what a joke
Sorry, but my woman, Hillary, will trump him out of the race.
You all are missing the point. It is a common, and one that political action groups use frequently, to take extreme positions, or support extreme candidates, in order to shore up the centrist credentials of another candidate or incumbent.
In short, by running Ludacris, some far left dems hope to make Obama appear centrist, and prevent the center and right from pushing Obama into that sphere.
But this is the work of amateurs: Ludacris as a candidate is ludicrous, and I have a hard time buying that a party that so masterfully manipulated the media and public opinion (helps that MSM and Hollywood work for them), is behind this.
Ludacris is a complete moron. He is an obnoxious person who uses foul lyrics and such coarse language. He belong in a jail, not the white house.
L for Ludacris
L for Limbaugh
L for Loud
Dear CNN –
Please stop reporting on this garbage. Your uninsightful journalism lends undeserved publicity to those who dont need it.
Are you kidding, he wants to run for President? Is America being Punk'd?
lmao
Kermit the Frog for President!
I like the msgs on here. Here's the right solution let's everyone judge and find EVERYTHING stupid that you dont agree w/, and see if you can just 'will' things to not happen.
...if he feels he's good enough and has the right credentials to run, he should. Actors have run, why not a rapper/actor... I dont think it's for him, but he should run if he can... he's made it THIS far.
All those w/ b/s comments - have y'all come from $10-15/hr to multi-million dollar fame/success? hmm... nope... guess you should shut up then.
His name says it all
JANE/SEATTLE.......where can I get some of what you're smoking??????
HAHA yea ok!
OK! I'm done laughing... He can't be serious can he? What a fool...but if Palin can run I guess anyone can do it! Still laughing at him and Palin foolishness....
OK – I had my belly laugh for today!
He's as qualified as Sarah Palin, and probably as entertaining.
Ludacris isn't running for president, it was a lighthearted joke.
I think the point of this article was to shed light on his foundation. He's one of the few rappers who's trying to make a positive difference in his community and is showing that not all rappers are thugs like the majority of Americans think they are.