There’s a better option for the ’08 election
By Jordan Bartel, Times Staff Writer (12-15-2006)

Forget Hillary and Barack. McCain? Nah. Newt, Guiliani, Edwards? Take a seat.

There’s a much better candidate out there for president in 2008. I’m talking about none other than Jay-Z. Yes, that Jay-Z.

Jay is a little busy right now promoting his new album “Kingdom Come,” and perhaps isn’t able to put any thought into a potential run for the White House.

Not to worry: I’ve done the thinking for him and he’s surprisingly overwhelmingly qualified. He’s got intelligence, money management skills and a good plan for universal health care. OK, he’ll have to work on that last one.

Here’s a Top 10 list of reasons why Jay-Z would make a good president. H.O.V.A for the oval office ’08!

10. He’s stylish

Sure, it’s superficial, but when’s the last time we had a well-dressed president? J.F.K?

Jay looks polished every time he’s out, which is a good thing for a politician. Plus, he’s 6 feet 3 inches tall and would tower over diminutive dictators like Kim Jung Il and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Quite the intimidation factor, don’t you think?

9. Foreign relations

Jay is a world traveler, so he knows the way of the land. Plus, he’s already made friends with leaders like Prince Charles and other dignitaries through his work with the United Nations.

Plus, he’s tight with U2′s Bono, who hasn’t met a world leader he hasn’t liked. Come to think of it, Bono would make a good vice president, if it weren’t for that whole born in Ireland thing.

8. Fiscal management

According to various estimates, Jay is worth close to $300 million, so he certainly knows how to keep a good budget. Plus, he has C.E.O. experience (Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella records) and founded his own clothing line.

He’s also part owner of the New Jersey Nets. Managing the White House and the nation should be a cinch.

7. Social issues

He’s passionate about several. Born in housing projects in Brooklyn, he certainly knows the plight of the working class poor. He’s also into looking at fair trade practices, knows when to boycott Cristal and has joined with MTV to fight global water shortages.

Certainly a Hurricane Katrina debacle would never happen under his watch.

6. A new presidential anthem

We all love “Hail to the Chief,” but perhaps its time for a change. Maybe a rap? More sampling from “Annie”? The sky’s the limit. Maybe he could even rap it himself when he enters a room. It’ll save money: that presidential band doesn’t come cheap.

5. A knack for

spotting talent

Jay mentored Kanye West. West for secretary of state? And he’s got a knack for spotting underground, offbeat talent like white British rapper Lady Sovereign. I’m sure he’d fill the cabinet with good choices.

4. War plans

He’s been a part of many rap wars and handled many others during his time founding Roc-A-Fella. He could bring those skills to the world stage.

3. He likes to collaborate

He often does duets with other artists, like Linkin Park, and likes to work with others with his many business ventures. Could he reach across the aisle in a way Bush never could?

2. His name

His real name is Shawn Carter and we can’t really have another President Carter, so doesn’t President J or President Z sound really cool? It sounds futuristic. Bonus: it’s easy to pronounce and spell. Hear that Ahmadinejad?!

1. Four words

First Lady Beyoncé Knowles.