Celebrities working to get out the vote
Barack Obama has a message for eligible voters: ‘‘I need you.’’
In a letter to be published in the November issue of Vibe magazine, the Democratic presidential candidate is given a page to address the readers of the urban music monthly magazine. In it, Obama urges them to register to vote, saying, ‘‘We are at a defining moment in our history.’’
‘‘I am running for president to take this country in a new direction. But I can’t do it alone. I need you,’’ the letter reads. ‘‘Whether it’s the first time, or the first time in a long time, I need you to register and vote on November 4.’’
Obama is featured on the cover of the magazine for the second time — the first was for the September 2007 issue. He also gets the endorsement of the magazine, the first presidential endorsement ever made by Vibe.
Meanwhile, the celebrities normally featured on that and other glossy magazines are lining up — both to support Obama directly as well as impartially urging citizens simply to register for the vote. Here’s a round-up of announcements just from the last two days:
• Leonardo DiCaprio, Halle Berry, Jennifer Aniston, Tobey Maguire, Eva Longoria Parker and other stars are using reverse psychology to get young people into voting booths on election day.
In a new public service announcement that hit YouTube and other online outlets Wednesday, DiCaprio says: ‘‘Please — just don’t vote.’’ Others echo his plea: ‘‘Don’t vote.’’
But the stars soon twist the message: Voting is a civic duty and the only way to effect change.
‘‘I mean, seriously, ... after this whole video — if you’re not gonna vote, I don’t even know what to say. ... You know you have to vote,’’ says DiCaprio, who produced the PSA.
Also appearing: Ellen DeGeneres, Forest Whitaker, Dustin Hoffman, Demi Moore, Sarah Silverman, Jonah Hill, Ashton Kutcher, Courteney Cox, Laura Linney, Natalie Portman, Jamie Foxx, Usher, Kyra Sedgwick and will.i.am.
• Jay-Z is doing an encore for Barack Obama. The 38-year-old rapper, a vocal supporter of the Democratic presidential candidate, is performing Saturday at a free concert in Detroit to promote voter registration. It is being offered by Obama’s campaign.
Monday is the deadline in Michigan to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election, prompting the last-minute push.
The Grammy-winning rapper, whose hits include ‘‘99 Problems,’’ ‘‘Encore’’ and ‘‘Hard Knock Life,’’ has been promoting Obama for a while, flashing his photo during concerts and telling fans that it’s time for a change — one of Obama’s mottos. Jay-Z has also designed a T-shirt for sale by Obama’s campaign.
Obama has said Jay-Z is one of his favorite musical artists.
• Bow Wow once thought that politics was only for ‘‘old folks,’’ but the 21-year-old platinum-selling rapper said he’s had a change of heart and wants other young people to vote.
‘‘I used to think going to the mall and hollering at girls [was] more important,’’ he said. ‘‘But in reality, we are in a different time now. My focus now is to take it a step further to make a change and vote.’’
On Wednesday he kicked off a 15-city tour urging people to register for the Nov. 4 election. He and about 50 followers spent most of the day walking more than two miles from downtown Atlanta to nearby colleges.
Bow Wow, whose real name is Shad Moss, said he felt compelled to act after seeing the financial struggles of his family and friends but he’s not promoting any specific candidates.
Other cities on the tour include: Philadelphia; New York; Washington; Baltimore; Boston; Nashville, Tenn.; Hartford, Conn.; Mobile, Ala.; Richmond, Va.; and Columbia, S.C.
• Several other hip-hop artists are also pushing for fans to vote, including moguls Russell Simmons and P. Diddy and Atlanta rappers Young Jeezy and T.I.
• Rock stars Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel are teaming up for their first joint concert to benefit Obama.
Obama plans to attend the concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Oct. 16, the day after Obama’s final debate with Republican John McCain at Hofstra University, located several miles outside the city in Hempstead, N.Y.
Seeing the two superstars together won’t come cheap. Tickets start at $500 and range up to $10,000.