# Kanye West signals intent to run for presidency **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 5, 2020, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362 "2020-07-05T04:45:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2020, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/121 "2020-07-25T20:33:35Z")
I would love to see the president dump Pence and name Kanye West as his running mate. Now there’s a winning ticket … but for the Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2020, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/122 "2020-07-25T21:54:00Z")
Trump will only dump Pence if he can get a religious woman to take his place. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2020, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/123 "2020-07-25T22:02:17Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I would love to see the president dump Pence and name Kanye West as his running mate. Now there’s a winning ticket … but for the Democrats. Haven’t we learned _never_ to say stuff like that? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/124 "2020-07-25T22:26:32Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Haven’t we learned _never_ to say stuff like that? Don’t worry. This ain’t 2016. Not that we should let down our guard. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2020, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/125 "2020-07-27T12:26:08Z")
HA! One of life’s embarrassing moments! LOL Well, that’s a relief. I was wondering why she hitched her wagon to such a loser. LOL ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2020, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/126 "2020-07-29T19:26:13Z")
Looks like there’s some hinky stuff with his petitions in Joisey: [Kanye West’s presidential ballot petition challenged in N.J. for ‘nearly identical’ signatures](https://www.aol.com/article/news/2020/07/29/kanye-wests-presidential-ballot-petition-challenged-in-nj-for-nearly-identical-signatures/24576072/) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/127 "2020-07-30T22:23:14Z")
A CNN analyst argues that Kanye West’s mental health battle is a wake-up call for empathy: [Kanye West's mental health battle is a wake-up call for empathy | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/30/entertainment/entertainment-newsletter/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/128 "2020-08-01T21:50:46Z")
Mister President! Mister President! Isn’t it true you were supposed to buy Tyco with our money? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/129 "2020-08-01T22:31:49Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > A CNN analyst argues that Kanye West’s mental health battle is a wake-up call for empathy: [https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/30/entertainment/entertainment-newsletter/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/30/entertainment/entertainment-newsletter/index.html) I might feel empathetic of him if he weren’t working out his issues in the arena of national politics, where he could do some real damage. Right now, Kanye is like a guy driving 120 mph in the wrong direction on a freeway - yes, he’s obviously going through some stuff and my heart goes out to him, but first GET THAT CRAZY MOTHERFUCKER OFF THE ROAD BEFORE HE KILLS SOMEONE!. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/130 "2020-08-01T22:44:05Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > A CNN analyst argues that Kanye West’s mental health battle is a wake-up call for empathy: [https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/30/entertainment/entertainment-newsletter/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/30/entertainment/entertainment-newsletter/index.html) Now if only his staff would demonstrate such empathy by getting him some help. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/131 "2020-08-01T22:44:38Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I might feel empathetic of him if he weren’t working out his issues in the arena of national politics, where he could do some real damage. ^This, 100%. The Democratic candidate (presumably Biden) needs an overwhelming majority. Lots of people who pay very little attention to the news, let alone to politics, might vote for Kanye _simply because they’ve heard of him._ That could deny the Democrat enough votes to matter. As you say, he could do real damage to the nation with this effort to, let’s face it, help Trump. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/132 "2020-08-01T23:05:51Z")
You have to admit one thing about Kanye. He’s a candidate whom I’m even less likely to vote for than Trump. That’s a difficult bar to get … um… under. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/133 "2020-08-01T23:40:47Z")
I know. Whodathunkit, right? I almost wonder if he recruited Kanye not so much to draw off Biden votes as to make himself look more statesmanlike. Mission accomplished! ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/134 "2020-08-02T00:25:47Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > The Democratic candidate (presumably Biden) needs an overwhelming majority. Lots of people who pay very little attention to the news, let alone to politics, might vote for Kanye _simply because they’ve heard of him._ That could deny the Democrat enough votes to matter. > > As you say, he could do real damage to the nation with this effort to, let’s face it, help Trump. Wait a minute—isn’t Kanye running against Trump for leadership of the Republican Party? He’s not running for the Democrats, if he’s running at all. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/135 "2020-08-02T00:26:14Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > You have to admit one thing about Kanye. He’s a candidate whom I’m even less likely to vote for than Trump. That’s a difficult bar to get … um… under. > [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I know. Whodathunkit, right? I almost wonder if he recruited Kanye not so much to draw off Biden votes as to make himself look more statesmanlike. Mission accomplished! I’m having a real hard time not being amused by this. I know I’m supposed to take this seriously, but there’s so much farce in the current state of affairs, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at the absurdity of Kanye West running for POTUS against Donald Trump, current POTUS. What really disturbs me is that there’s a not insignificant number of voters who seriously consider one or both of those fools to be qualified for the position but even preferable to an actual, bona fide statesman. Hey, I don’t like Biden as much, but I’m not a total nutjob thinking that either of those two is a perspicacious candidate for POTUS. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/136 "2020-08-02T00:37:35Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > Wait a minute—isn’t Kanye running against Trump for leadership of the Republican Party? He’s not running for the Democrats, if he’s running at all. You say the second thing with great conviction for someone who doesn’t know the first thing. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/137 "2020-08-02T00:40:24Z")
He’s running as an independent on the Birthday Party ticket. And hey, look, he’s already picked a running mate!: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanye\_West\_2020\_presidential\_campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanye_West_2020_presidential_campaign) ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/138 "2020-08-02T00:43:43Z")
Good lord. People in the manic phase of bipolar illness really shouldn’t be making rash decisions about their future. ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/139 "2020-08-02T01:26:10Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > Now if only his staff would demonstrate such empathy by getting him some help. How? I’ve seen nothing to indicate he is actively a danger to himself or others (‘threat to American democracy’ doesn’t count), and in the absence of evidence of such danger, he gets to decide whether he wants help or not. If one believes the tabs, his own wife has been pleading with him to get help and he’s chosen to ignore her; I’m not sure why the staff would have greater influence. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/140 "2020-08-02T01:39:00Z")
> [@slash2k](#): > > How? I’ve seen nothing to indicate he is actively a danger to himself or others (‘threat to American democracy’ doesn’t count), and in the absence of evidence of such danger, he gets to decide whether he wants help or not. If one believes the tabs, his own wife has been pleading with him to get help and he’s chosen to ignore her; I’m not sure why the staff would have greater influence. Getting help doesn’t mean getting “sectioned” or anything like that. But they could stop enabling him by getting a bunch of false signatures. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362.md?page=8)