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Best known among international audiences for his 1994 song “Seven Seconds” with Neneh Cherry, N’Dour won a Grammy in 2005 for the album Egypt. He performs a style of traditional music known as mbalax.

Now at age 52, N’Dour, who has never held elected office before, hopes to defeat presidential incumbent Abdoulaye Wade.

This summer, Senegalese protestors took to the streets to rally against Wade’s efforts to implement constitutional changes that would have helped ensure him a third term. As a result, Wade, 85, has backed down from seeking those changes, but is still running in the election.

N’Dour told TIME magazine his reasons for throwing his hat in the ring and what he hopes to do if he’s elected.

Why are you running?

Youssou N’Dour: Firstly, I am a citizen of this country and I see the situation here deteriorating. Rights and civil liberties are being degraded. I cannot sit back and watch them diminish further. Secondly, more than a million people have, directly or indirectly, called for my candidacy. And thirdly, I do not have confidence in the way elections are conducted in this country. My joining the race will shed some light on it, bring some attention, some transparency.

What’s your vision for Senegal?

After my Presidency, this is the Senegal you will see: a moderate state, not a huge, encumbering state; where children are going to school; where AIDS and malaria programs are effective; where the country is clean and managed in an environmentally friendly way, just as well as Rwanda; more democracy, good governance; free, fair and transparent elections, safeguarded by an independent electoral commission; and robust institutions, which I think are the key to democracy.

Presumably it helps being a superstar when you’re running for office?

It helps. But it also brings a challenge. I have to change people’s perceptions of me from a superstar, as you put it, to someone with a credible story and with something meaningful to say. I have to convince the voters that I am sincere and have something significant to offer.

Read more here.

Entering the race just a few weeks before elections, it’s hard to gauge N’Dour’s chances as he joins an already crowded field of more than a dozen candidates. Some critics argue that N’Dour should have thrown his support behind another opposition candidate to oust Wade who has come under fire for years of accusations of corruption, nepotism and attacks against personal freedoms.

However, where he may be lacking in political and academic credentials, N’Dour has been politically active. He’s worked on Amnesty International events with other pop stars like Sting and Bruce Springsteen and as an U.N. goodwill ambassador, supporting anti-malaria campaigns and awareness about the crisis in the Darfur.

N’Dour told the New York Times:

“It’s true that I haven’t pursued higher education,” but “I have proved my competence, commitment, rigor and efficiency time and time again,” he said. “I have studied at the school of the world. Travel teaches as much as books.”

In fact, N’Dour’s far from the only pop star to seek office. With varying degrees of success from Wyclef Jean to Ruben Blades, singers have eyed the political arena.

Now it’s N’Dour’s turn. What do you think of his chances?

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I have reluctantly held my tongue on Herman Cain for quite some time now, but enough is enough. The “contender” for U.S. president is a comical Republican presidential candidate, and a disgrace to the Black community.

But what makes my skin boil is the painful reminder that Cain is a graduate (and member of the board of trustees) of my Alma Mater, Morehouse College (pause for unanimous gasp). Yes folks, a Black Republican is an alumnus from the only all-male Historically Black College and University in the country.

Now of course, I’m not saying it’s implausible for a Black man to be a Republican, because there are many of them roaming our American soil (sigh). However, the mere fact that Cain is the product of an institution that fosters social advocacy and a focus on the locality of the Black race, one would presume his political ideology to be one of progressive liberalism. There’s absolutely no component in the Republican agenda that benefits the African American community in any shape or form.

Personally, I think Cain’s conservative, “fiscal responsible” political stance is  influenced by one thing and one thing only: money. He’s a business multi-millionaire who is only seeking to preserve his wealth and, additionally, procure a little notoriety. Cain doesn’t care about the American people, nor does he care about the African American community.

Just a couple of days ago it was reported that Cain claimed he was called a racist because he decided not to stay on the “Democratic plantation.” He added, “it may shock you but some Black people can think for themselves,” mocking the Black community for their strong backing of President Obama. Cain has some nerve to indict African Americans let alone allude that they, unlike him, are not thinking beings because they’re Democrats. It’s absurd. I think Cain is a political coon, yet I wouldn’t call into question his thinking skills–okay maybe I would.

This is the same Cain who said that as president he would not sign any legislation longer than three pages, criticizing Obama’s 2,700-page health care bill. In other words, if Cain was president we would essentially have no legislation (in his defense, he retracted that statement). This just comes to show how ignorant and ill-equipped Cain is. Being the CEO of a pizza company does not qualify you to be president of the United States, and he has proven that theory.

It’s no wonder why Morehouse has not, and will not ever publicly endorse nor boast for Cain. He is simply put, a joke.

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Tuesday at Convocation I had the pleasure of welcoming our new freshmen to Wayne State University. I mentioned that, being deep into my second day on the job, I shared their excitement and am grateful for this opportunity.

Like our new students, I am just getting to know Wayne State – its history, its campus, its programs, its plans – but most of all its people. In just a few short weeks, I have met quite a few of you, and I appreciate both the warm wishes and the thoughtful insights. But I know I have just scratched the surface, and there is much to be learned.

One thing I learned is that I will be addressing the University on September 13. I want to be sure this is beneficial for all of us, so I’d like to ask your assistance. To help tailor my address, I would appreciate some input from you. What issues would you like to hear discussed? What are your aspirations and concerns for the University? What is on your mind as we begin a new school year?

Please visit president.wayne.edu/input to provide your input by Tuesday, September 6. This will allow me a few days to prepare. And though I am sure I won’t be able to respond to all of your issues at this point, I will address as much as I can and will use your input to guide my “education.”

Thank you, and I look forward to getting to know you and Wayne State University even better.

Allan Gilmour

President

The President and the First Lady host a night of music that inspired and reflected the Civil Rights Movement. Performers include Yolanda Adams, Joan Baez, Natalie Cole, Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, Seal, the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Howard University Choir, and The Freedom Singers.

New York (CNN) — Former President Bill Clinton was in “good spirits” Thursday after undergoing a procedure to insert two stents into one of his coronary arteries, his office said.

 
Clinton was hospitalized at the Columbia Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital after experiencing chest pain, according to Douglas Band, counselor to the former president.

Despite other media reports that he had left the hospital, Clinton remained there Thursday evening, a spokesman for the hospital said.

Clinton’s wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, left the White House after a meeting in the Oval Office and headed to New York, a State Department official said.

In a written statement, Band said: “President Clinton is in good spirits, and will continue to focus on the work of his Foundation and Haiti’s relief and long-term recovery efforts.”

Clinton hasn’t left the public eye since he left the White House, maintaining an active schedule devoted to global philanthropic interests and speeches. His latest role as the U.N. special envoy for Haiti has taken him twice to the earthquake-ravaged island nation and he is leading efforts to raise money for the hard-hit area.

A stent is a tiny tube that is inserted into a narrowed or blocked vessel to open it up and allow blood to travel through, according to CNN’s chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta.

Clinton underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2004 at New York Presbyterian. Doctors in 2005 removed scar tissue and fluid that had built up following that surgery.

According to his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Will Smith has his eyes on the Oval Office.

Jada Pinkett Smith told press, “Will is thinking about going into politics. He once said he could imagine becoming a US president. He wasn’t joking; he was quite serious about it.” It’s all part of leaving a legacy for posterity, says Jada. “Will and I want to leave traces on this planet – and with that I mean more important traces than just films.”

It’s definitely an interesting idea, and not that far-fetched. If Arnold Schwarzenegger can be governor of California, Jesse Ventura can hold down Minnesota, and of course, Ronald Reagan was a former Hollywood star, why couldn’t Big Willie be President?

Will’s a pretty smart guy with a great personal philosophy, but I can’t say I know much about his political ideology.

He’s got my vote if he picks Jazzy Jeff as his running mate though.

SOURCE

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From the Huffington Post:

Chris Matthews is definitely going to take some heat for exclaiming that he “forgot [Obama] was black tonight for an hour… I said wait a minute, he’s an African American guy in front of a bunch of other white people.” Matthews was analyzing President Obama’s first State of the Union speech when he made the remark.

Click here to read more.

Watch the video:

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(CNN) — 10:20 Address ends with Obama calling on Americans to “seize this moment — to start anew, to carry the dream forward and to strengthen our union once more”

Click here to read in chronological order

10:18 Obama acknowledges that his administration has had political setbacks; says “some of them were deserved.” Obama says the “spirit of determination and optimism” is what keeps him fighting

10:17 On discord in politics: “Democracy in a nation of 300 million people can be noisy and messy and complicated. And when you try to do big things and make big changes, it stirs passions and controversy”

10:13 Obama says he will work with Congress and the military to repeal “the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are”

10:08 Obama says the threat of nuclear weapons is “perhaps the greatest danger to the American people”

10:06 Obama details the challenges in Afghanistan: “There will be difficult days ahead. But I am confident we will succeed”

10:02 Obama mentions Massachusetts special election: “After last week, it is clear that campaign fever has come even earlier than usual. But we still need to govern.” He calls out Republicans, saying, “just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it’s not leadership”

9:59 Obama calls on Congress to publish all earmark requests on a single Web site before there’s a vote “so that the American people can see how their money is being spent”

9:57 Obama says Washington is facing a “deficit of trust,” and calls for action on “both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue” to restore credibility

9:54 Obama announces he will establish a bipartisan deficit reduction commission by executive order

9:54 “We will not continue tax cuts for oil companies, investment fund managers and those making over $250,000 a year. We just can’t afford it”

9:52 Obama proposes steps to “pay for the $1 trillion that it took to rescue the economy last year,” including a partial freeze on some government programs. He says he will enforce the freeze by veto if he has to

9:48 On health care, Obama urges Congress not to walk away. “Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people”

9:45 Standing ovation after Obama acknowledges first lady Michelle Obama for her efforts to tackle childhood obesity. With all eyes on the first lady, Obama notes, “She gets embarrassed” as she motions for those in the chambers to sit down

9:44 Obama gets more laughs: “By now it should be fairly obvious that I didn’t take on health care because it was good politics”

9:41 CNN’s Candy Crowley observes: A call for safe, clean nuclear power plans brings GOP to its feet

9:37 Obama announces goal of doubling exports over the next five years, an increase that he says will support 2 million jobs in America. “To help meet this goal, we’re launching a National Export Initiative that will help farmers and small businesses increase their exports, and reform export controls consistent with national security”

9:36 On climate change: “Even if you doubt the evidence, providing incentives for energy efficiency and clean energy are the right thing to do for our future — because the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy. And America must be that nation”

9:34 On financial reform: “The lobbyists are already trying to kill it. Well, we cannot let them win this fight. And if the bill that ends up on my desk does not meet the test of real reform, I will send it back”

9:29 Obama urges the Senate follow the House’s lead and pass a jobs bill, saying, “I want a jobs bill on my desk without delay”

9:28 Obama says workers in Tampa, Florida, will soon break ground on a new high-speed railroad funded by the Recovery Act

9:27 On stimulating the economy: “I’m proposing that we take $30 billion of the money Wall Street banks have repaid and use it to help community banks give small businesses the credit they need to stay afloat. I am also proposing a new small business tax credit — one that will go to over one million small businesses who hire new workers or raise wages. While we’re at it, let’s also eliminate all capital gains taxes on small business investment; and provide a tax incentive for all businesses, large and small, to invest in new plants and equipment.”

9:23 Obama credits the creation of 2 million jobs with steps his administration has taken toward economic recovery, adding, “We are on track to add another one and a half million jobs to this total by the end of the year”

9:20 CNN’s Candy Crowley observes: Always some good theater at these events. Obama talks about the taxes he has cut. No Republican stands to clap, and the president calls them out, “I thought I’d get some applause on that one”

9:18 Obama says the bank bailout “was about as popular as a root canal”

9:16 Obama draws first applause after he says he has “never been more hopeful about America’s future” than tonight

9:13 On the economy, Obama says “the worst of the storm has passed”

9:12 Obama says America is being tested, but said “we must answer history’s call,” conjuring up memories of such times of struggle as the Civil War Battle of Bull Run, the storming of Omaha Beach in World War II and the stock market crash of 1929

9:11 Obama begins his State of the Union address

9:10 Vice President Joe Biden lets out a cheer as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi welcomes Obama

9:08 Obama enters chamber, greets members of Congress, his Cabinet and Supreme Court justices

9:05 Wilson Livingood, the House Sergeant of Arms, introduces Obama

9:01 In holding room, Obama was talking with Sens. Lamar Alexander, John Cornyn and John Thune. He turned to the entire congressional welcoming committee and joked, “We just brokered a health care deal right here.”

8:48 p.m. The president’s speech is being written right up until the last moments, according to two White House aides, who say they have not seen a new draft since about noon today. An embargoed copy of the full speech was supposed to be released at 8:30 p.m., but there’s no sign of it yet because of last-minute changes.

8:38 p.m. Obama en route to Capitol

8 p.m. CNN’s Ed Henry reports:

Senior officials said the president’s broad goal was to seize back the mantle of change by talking about the need for a “new beginning” between Democrats and Republicans that can restore trust in Washington.

Along these lines, the president was to make what officials described as a passing reference to the special election in Massachusetts but would not have a “chastened” tone like Bill Clinton after the 1994 election. Instead, officials said he would use the election defeat as a way to challenge Republicans to meet him halfway on the major issues facing the nation.

Officials said he would note that with Republicans now having 41 votes in the Senate, they can’t just block everything.

The first test will come next week when the Senate is expected to begin debate on a jobs bill. The president was to specifically try to sprinkle the jobs bill with small business and corporate tax cuts to win over some Republican votes and call their bluff if they do not come on board.

While jobs and the economy were to make up the bulk of the speech, officials said health care would also figure prominently. But they noted the president would not get too specific on the path forward because key lawmakers want to take a deep breath on the volatile issue while ramping up much more time on the jobs legislation.

Beyond jobs and health care, officials said the second tier of the agenda would focus on three primary issues:

– Financial regulatory reform, which would give the president another chance to press Wall Street to change the rules of the road to prevent another crisis.

– Climate change legislation, where the president would specifically cite the work of lawmakers in both parties trying to broker a compromise.

– Education reform, where the president would push for an increase of up to $4 billion despite lean times for other key parts of his budget.

Washington (CNN) — It’s a tale of two speeches.

On one hand, top officials say President Obama will use his first State of the Union address to hit the issue of jobs hard by pressing his vow to keep “fighting” for the middle class — spending new money on everything from child care to student loan assistance and sending signals to liberals that he’s not giving up the battle for health care reform.

On the other hand, top officials also say a key theme will be fiscal discipline, as Obama tries to get tough on those very same liberals and tack to the political center by pushing a freeze on non-security discretionary spending for the next three years — including a symbolic move to hold the line on the salaries of senior White House officials.

It’s a sign of a president still sorting out his next move, as the administration tries to reset for his second year in office after a rockier-than-expected first year, though top aides see no contradiction in the competing messages on spending and austerity.

“We are investing in what we believe is important to invest in,” explained White House press secretary Robert Gibbs. “We’re cutting in programs that we think have outlived their usefulness and that need to be cut. Again, that’s what a family does. That’s what the government should begin to do.”

This administration also needs to begin finding ways to again appeal to independent voters, who abandoned Democrats in droves in the three big electoral battles recently in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia.

Obama’s balancing act is made all the more difficult by the fact that he’s walking into a much more hostile environment than he faced last February for a speech to a joint session of Congress. Even though goodwill was at an all-time high back then, Obama knew full well that it could evaporate quickly.

“Here in Washington, we’ve all seen how quickly good intentions can turn into broken promises and wasteful spending,” Obama said last February.

Republicans have been circulating that quote in recent days to suggest that Obama himself has been thrown off course, abandoning his promises to bring real change to Washington by going on a spending spree. White House officials fire back that the spending was necessary to stave off a second Great Depression caused by the previous president, and they insist Republicans are the party of “no” and have done little to work with the new commander in chief.

The bottom line is that these are the same old predictable corners that each party tends to fall back into after a year or so of a new administration. What this State of the Union address affords Obama is an opportunity to rise above the finger-pointing and use this as a pivot point to show the country he’s learned from mistakes in the first year and is ready to make the adjustments necessary to govern.

Bill Clinton used a similar speech in 1995 to pick himself and his party up off the canvas following the 1994 election and declare, “The era of big government is over.” That not only recalibrated the agenda to give the American people some important victories — a bipartisan balanced budget, for example — but it set Clinton up for a sweeping re-election victory in 1996.

The good news for Obama is that he tends to rise to the occasion for the big speeches. But the question mark hanging over this one is whether Obama is ready to chart a new course, or is still struggling to figure out which path to take. Here are three big questions he has to answer tonight:

• On jobs, White House aides are saying the right things about trying to find a bipartisan consensus. “The president has taken steps, and will renew his call to take further steps in the State of the Union, to continue to create an environment where the private sector is hiring again,” Gibbs said.
But is the president going to adjust the jobs plan he introduced in December, which made little progress when he had 60 Senate votes, so that it pulls in even a couple of Republican votes to deal with the new reality on Capitol Hill?

• On fiscal discipline, Gibbs says the president’s new budget, to be released on Monday, will take steps to “put our fiscal house in order” after years of excess. But since the spending freeze only covers a fraction of the overall budget — projected savings of $250 billion over 10 years at a time of $1.4 trillion deficits — what is Obama going to do about the big-ticket items like defense, Social Security, and Medicare?

• After spending so much political capital on health care, how does Obama want to move forward now? So far, aides are being vague about the specifics, with Gibbs saying only the president “will speak about health care” in the speech.

Obama has already faced criticism from some in his own party for not being specific enough during the health care fight. Unless that changes soon, and health care gets cleared from the plate one way or the other, it may be difficult to finally move on full time to the rest of the agenda.