http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/252350-ready-for-kanye-paperwork-filed-with-fedsAugust 31, 2015, 03:22 pm
'Ready for Kanye' paperwork filed with feds
By Megan R. Wilson
A GOP operative in Maryland filed paperwork to open a campaign committee in support of Kanye West's 2020 White House bid on Monday, a day after the outspoken rapper announced plans run in the next presidential election.
West, during an acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards, said that he had decided to run for president to bring “new ideas” to Washington.
It remains unclear how serious the entertainer is about the bid. During the same speech, West told the MTV audience that he had “rolled up a little something” prior to going on stage to calm his nerves.
Nonetheless, Eugene Craig III, a member of Baltimore County’s GOP leadership who founded the "Ready for Kanye" political action committee, pointed out that West has brought attention to policy issues including the war on drugs and the education system.
"He would bring an interesting dialogue to the political debate," Craig told CNBC. "His stances on some of the pressing issues of the day would be welcome."
West, who recently attended a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton with his reality star wife, Kim Kardashian, made one of his first political statements during a telethon fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina a decade ago.
“George W. Bush doesn’t care about black people,” West said to the camera, catching comedian Mike Meyers, who was co-hosting the event, off guard.
Though West is a noted Democrat, Craig said he could easily become a Republican.
"Given some of his ideological views, I do think he would fall in line with the Republican Party," Craig told CNBC. "If we are a party that can accept Donald Trump, we can accept Kanye West.”
According to Federal Election Commission records, West gave $15,000 to the Democratic National Committee last year. He gave Obama $1,000 during his reelection campaign in 2012.
