# 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:** 8
**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, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/141 "2020-08-02T02:18:47Z")
> [@Kimera757](#): > > Getting help doesn’t mean getting “sectioned” or anything like that. But they could stop enabling him by getting a bunch of false signatures. If they don’t do what he wants, he hires somebody who will. There’s enough fly-by-night signature-gathering groups in the US that he can find somebody who cares only about the validity of his credit card, not his sanity. ---
**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:** [August 2, 2020, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/142 "2020-08-02T05:08:39Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > 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._ It happens. I knew lots of Thais who would vote for someone simply because they would see him driving down the street. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/143 "2020-08-02T05:18:58Z")
It’s all part of a ploy to convince people his wife isn’t a hobbit: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaw9SAu8-Ac) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/32s1zi4SwaE/maxresdefault.jpg "South Park - Kanye West 'My Gurl Ain't No Hobbit'") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32s1zi4SwaE) ---
**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:** [August 2, 2020, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/144 "2020-08-02T06:57:58Z")
> [@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. If, for whatever reason, the only two choices on the ballot were Chump and Kanye West, I think I would just stay home on election day and whack off to porn. ---
**Author:** ![Boudicca90](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boudicca90/32/16818_2.png) [@Boudicca90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boudicca90)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/145 "2020-08-02T07:40:30Z")
This situation reminds me so much of the episode of King of the Hill where Kahn goes off the meds he takes for manic depressive disorder. And just like how Hank just enables Kahn for his own gain, I feel like the people around Kanye are doing the same thing. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8LWkzFNrjY8/hqdefault.jpg "King of the Hill - Manic Depressive Khan") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LWkzFNrjY8) ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/146 "2020-08-02T12:51:53Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > Actually, I will have to go Libertarian again this year, as I cannot vote for Biden or Trump.Hopefully ohio wont make a difference this year. If you’re hoping Ohio won’t make a difference, then you must think it’s better for one to win than the other. If you vote Libertarian, as opposed to voting for the one you think the better of two bad choices, you’re increasing the chance that the one you think worse to win. This is not the year to do that. ---
**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 2, 2020, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/147 "2020-08-02T22:55:16Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > > [@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. That’s a much better answer than I’d have composed. > [@Boudicca90](#): > > This situation reminds me so much of the episode of King of the Hill where Kahn goes off the meds he takes for manic depressive disorder. And just like how Hank just enables Kahn for his own gain, I feel like the people around Kanye are doing the same thing. ^This. People are making money off of Kanye’s mental illness. And they see no reason to stop doing so. ---
**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 4, 2020, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/148 "2020-08-04T00:34:44Z")
He’s not letting go and no one is stopping him: > **[Kanye West submits petitions to appear on Arkansas ballot](https://apnews.com/a32c4022297caae9994d7481937239e8)** > > LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Rapper Kanye West on Monday filed signatures to appear on the Arkansas ballot this fall as an independent presidential candidate... I have no compassion or empathy for this man at this time. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2020, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/149 "2020-08-04T04:38:02Z")
Prepare to be shocked… [GOP operatives working with Kanye’s campaign](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/08/two-people-linked-to-kanye-wests-campaign-have-ties-to-gop.html) > One of West’s electors in the state of Vermont will also be a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Charlotte. Chuck Wilton, one of the three electors West’s presidential campaign named in a filing submitted with the Vermont Secretary of State on Monday, was also elected by the Vermont Republican Party in May to serve as a delegate for President Trump at this year’s RNC. > […] > Wilton was the second person with ties to the GOP to be linked to the West presidential campaign on Monday. A prominent Republican operative, [Gregg Keller](http://www.atlasstrategygroup.com/about/), was [listed as the campaign’s point of contact](https://twitter.com/Bencjacobs/status/1290368066946203648) in a filing with the Arkansas Secretary of State. Keller, who did not respond to repeated requests for comment, is the former executive director of the American Conservative Union and has worked for a number of prominent Republican politicians including Mitt Romney and Josh Hawley. _Quelle surprise!_ ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2020, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/150 "2020-08-04T12:20:23Z")
It is completely out of character for the GOP to be manipulating and taking advantage of a mentally ill person. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2020, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/151 "2020-08-04T13:43:17Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > It is completely out of character for the GOP to be manipulating and taking advantage of a mentally ill person I’m impressed you were able to say that with a straight face. ---
**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 4, 2020, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/152 "2020-08-04T15:19:06Z")
He’s now withdrawn his petition in New Jersey. > **[Kanye West withdraws petition to get on NJ's 2020 ballot](https://apnews.com/ecc1c97b3c69b786c061e8f7e1eadb71)** > > TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Kanye West withdrew his petition to appear as a presidential candidate on New Jersey's ballot, according to an email chain between a judge and what appears to be the rapper's... Nice move, Kanye! That just shows everyone how serious, how thorough and how committed you are! You got this! 😏 ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/153 "2020-08-05T02:56:16Z")
[More GOP help in Wisconsin](https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/akzy3b/a-well-connected-gop-strategist-is-helping-kanye-west-get-on-the-ballot-in-wisconsin) > Kanye West has officially submitted signatures to appear on the ballot in Wisconsin, arguably the most important state on the presidential map — and those signatures were dropped off by an experienced GOP operative. > > Lane Ruhland, who a local reporter recorded as she headed in to drop off the signatures that would qualify West for his presidential bid in Wisconsin on Tuesday, is one of a handful of GOP election lawyers in the state — and a former legal counsel for the state Republican Party. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > It is completely out of character for the GOP to be manipulating and taking advantage of a mentally ill person. This assumes all the “Poor Kanye” stuff is true and this isn’t just Kanye working to help his bestest dragon energy buddy Donald Trump. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/154 "2020-08-05T12:18:21Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > This assumes all the “Poor Kanye” stuff is true and this isn’t just Kanye working to help his bestest dragon energy buddy Donald Trump. KW is in serious need of adult supervision and professional help. Those helping him are political trolls and bomb throwers. No different than the Roger Stones and Steve Bannons. Their only “strategy” is to create chaos, light fires, and to use anybody and anything to their advantage, all to see the world burn. It would not surprise me one bit to learn that they are instigated and funded by those who stand the most to gain by the circus that has become America’s political climate. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/155 "2020-08-05T13:19:29Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Those helping him are political trolls and bomb throwers. No different than the Roger Stones and Steve Bannons. Their only “strategy” is to create chaos, light fires, and to use anybody and anything to their advantage, all to see the world burn. No, they’re people actively trying to split the vote to get Trump into office. They’re not political anarchists, they’re Republicans with a specific agenda and who don’t want to see Biden blocking that agenda. Calling them bomb throwers and trolls makes them sound like unorganized rabble; meanwhile they’re waging an organized campaign to get Kanye on the ballot and not because they think Kanye is going to get 270 electoral votes. The only question is whether or not Kanye is intentionally part of that organization. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/156 "2020-08-05T13:25:13Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > No, they’re people actively trying to split the vote to get Trump into office. I find it hard to see how creating a KW candidacy will do more damage by splitting off voters from Biden than from Trump. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/157 "2020-08-05T13:29:09Z")
Because they think that black people will vote for Kanye because he’s black and a successful rapper. Yes, these folks aren’t the “best people”. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/158 "2020-08-05T13:30:02Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I find it hard to see how creating a KW candidacy will do more damage by splitting off voters from Biden than from Trump. You’re kidding, right? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/159 "2020-08-05T14:21:48Z")
Sorry, I just don’t think black Biden voters are stupid enough to be influenced by KW’s star power in any meaningful way. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362/160 "2020-08-05T14:26:34Z")
Whether or not they are, the GOP thinks they **can** be. Or, at least, can be in meaningful enough numbers to swing a tight race (like in WI/MI/PA last cycle). The assumption being that Trump voters aren’t going to vote for Kanye but maybe they can get enough young and/or Black voters who might have gone to Biden to instead vote for Kanye either as some sort of protest vote or just for the lulz. You don’t have a number of Republican operatives helping get Kanye on the ballot just because they ran out of things to do with their day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kanye-west-signals-intent-to-run-for-presidency/914362.md?page=9)