Wyclef Going From Pras to President
Wyclef Jean wasn't just singing about becoming president. He was serious
AP
Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean is overcome with emotion while discussing his recent visit to earthquake-stricken Haiti and how is organization, Yele Haiti, is helping with relief efforts, Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in New York. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)
If Wyclef Jean becomes president of Haiti, it won't take long to know what his political agenda is.
He's already made a song about it. Hopefully, his tenure would be a little longer than the three-day stint he foretold.
The Haiti native and adopted Miamian thinks he is the man for the job of righting his struggling nation and leading Haitians out of the rubble of the massive earthquake that struck earlier this year.
Wyclef's people have already confirmed the 37-year-old world renowned music superstar has submitted paper work to join the 2010 presidential election, which will be held on Nov. 28.
Since the earthquake in January that rocked Port-au-Prince and killed thousands of residents, Wyclef has been the most vocal and visible Haitian in relief work, and that includes current President Rene Preval.
"Wyclef's commitment to his homeland and its youth is boundless, and he will remain its greatest supporter regardless of whether he is part of the government moving forward ... If and when a decision is made, media will be alerted immediately," a statement from Wyclef's camp read.
If he does run for Haitian president, Wyclef would have to explain some of the issues that have surfaced in his Miami charity, Yele.
Accounting irregularities and allegations that Wyclef was using the earthquake to exploit people who wanted to help marred some of the relief work Wyclef organized.
But that might not be Wyclef's biggest issue. Most times, Haitian presidents don't get to fill out their 5-year terms and some meet very violent ends.
Wyclef knows this all too well and the chorus of his song, "If I Was President" alludes to it.
"If i was president, I'd get elected on Friday. Assassinated on Saturday. Buried on Sunday. Then, go back to work on Monday."
Nov. 28 is a Sunday so Wyclef might have to remix his timetable.
Posted Tuesday, Jul 27, 2010 - 2:24 PM EST
