By Hunter Walker 11:12pm

P to the OTUS

Beyonce and Jay Z at President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009.

President Obama Parties With Jay-Z and Beyoncé

Hip-hop’s biggest power couple, Jay-Z and Beyoncé, held a fundraiser for President Barack Obama tonight at Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club in Manhattan. In his speech at the event, Mr. Obama discussed his daughters’ love for the musicians and what he and Jay-Z have in common.

“Let me just begin by saying to Jay and Bey, thank you so much for your friendship. We are so grateful. Michelle and Malia and Sasha are mad at me because they are not here,” Mr. Obama said. “That doesn’t usually happen. Usually they’re like, we’re glad you’re going–we don’t need to go. But every time they get a chance to see these two they are thrilled, partly because they are just both so generous, particularly to my kids. And Malia and Sasha just love both of them.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 9/14/12 3:41am

The Rent is Too Damn High

Jimmy McMillan at his Rent Is Too Damn High Party party. (Photo: Hunter Walker)

Jimmy McMillan is Running for Mayor (Again)

Jimmy McMillan, the perennial candidate and activist who gained fame after his memorable appearance in the 2010 New York gubernatorial debates where he stole the show with his simple argument that the “rent is too damn high” is throwing his hat into next year’s mayoral election. Mr. McMillan announced his candidacy last night at a small concert in a bar on the Lower East Side.

“I am entering the race for mayor. I’m very upset at all the candidates running. No one has said anything about the people and they’re all thinking that what I did in 2010 in the gubernatorial debate was just a big bunch of talk. They’re all business as usual, rent going up and nobody tackling that matter,” Mr. McMillan told Politicker. “There’s some serious problems. Rent can be reduced, rent will be reduced and I’m bringing what I couldn’t bring and didn’t get an opportunity to bring to the State, I’m bringing to the city … knowing that I can do it here and it can have the domino effect throughout every city, town and county in America and all across the other parts of the world.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 8/27/12 9:49pm

I Can't Go For That

Hall & Oates

Hall & Oates Got Rid of the Super PAC That Was Named After Them

TAMPA, FL — Last week, the Federal Election Commission officially recognized a Super PAC named after the 70′s and 80′s musical duo Hall & Oates, but the group apparently didn’t have the blessing of its namesake. Jonathan Wolfson, the manager of Daryl Hall and John Oates, sent the Politicker a statement this evening announcing that “Hall and Oates Fans For America” was dissolved because Mr. Hall and Mr. Oates had “concerns” about being associated with political fundraising.

“Representatives of Daryl Hall and John Oates have been in contact with the founders of the Hall and Oates Fans For America Super PAC and are pleased to report that the group’s concerns regarding the unauthorized use of their names for fundraising purposes by the Super PAC have been amicably resolved and that the Super PAC is being dissolved by the founders,” Mr. Wolfson said. Read More

By Hunter Walker 8/23/12 3:24pm

Call Me Crowley

Congressman Joe Crowley singing along to "Call Me Maybe" at the Today Show. (Photo: NBC)

Congressman Joe Crowley’s Office Explains His ‘Call Me Maybe’ Dance Video

This morning, Queens Congressman Joe Crowley was caught by the Today Show cameras enjoying a live performance of Canadian pop songstress Carly Rae Jepsen’s megahit “Call Me Maybe.” According to Courtney Gidner, a spokeswoman for Mr. Crowley, the congressman was in attendance at the concert, which was part of the Today show’s summer concert series, with his three children, who are all under the age of 13. The group arrived “bright and early” so they would be able to get a good view.

“He brought his kids, his kids are big fans of Carly Rae Jepsen, and so he brought them to the concert this morning,” Ms. Gidner told Politicker. “So, I think he might win father of the year for bringing his kids to that concert.”

We pointed out to Ms. Gidner that, based on the footage, it appears Mr. Crowley is also a big fan of Ms. Jepsen in his own right. Ms. Gidner conceded that the congressman did indeed enjoy the singer’s performance. Read More

By Hunter Walker 8/22/12 6:38pm

Super Pacapalooza

Hall & Oates

How Hall & Oates Got Their Very Own Super PAC

On Monday, the Federal Election Commission officially recognized a super PAC called “Hall and Oates Fans For America.” William Hansmann, a 36-year-old waiter in Atlanta, told Politicker he and “a handful” of friends decided to form a PAC named after the aging “Rich Girl” rockers after having a few drinks together.

“It was really just kind of a joke a couple of us came up with drunk one night. I wish I could say there was more to it, but that’s about it,” said Mr. Hansmann.

One of the people at this booze-fueled brainstorming session looked into actually forming a super PAC and Mr. Hansmann said they were “kind of surprised just how easy it was.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 8/22/12 5:19pm

Outrage

Malcolm Smith standing in Times Square for his denunciation of Lil' Wayne. (Photo: Hunter Walker)

Malcolm Smith Denounces Lil’ Wayne in Times Square

At a highly anticipated press conference in the middle of Times Square, Queens State Senator and potential mayoral candidate Malcolm Smith took Lil’ Wayne to task for saying he doesn’t like New York City in an interview earlier this week. The senator began by repeating Mr. Wayne’s offending comments for the benefit of the handful of reporters who braved the crowds of tourists to witness Mr. Smith’s denunciation of the rapper.

“Let me read you a statement, one word–a couple of words that came from Lil’ Wayne today and here’s what he said: ‘I. Don’t Like. New. York,” Mr. Smith said, slowly reciting each outrageous syllable of Mr. Wayne’s five word comment for emphasis.

Mr. Smith went on to explain why he took “strong exception” to Mr. Wayne’s comments and would like the rapper to issue a formal apology. Read More

By Hunter Walker 8/22/12 11:37am

Rap Battle

Malcolm Smith (Photo: Facebook)

State Senator Malcolm Smith Wants an Apology From Lil’ Wayne

Queens State Senator and potential mayoral candidate Malcolm Smith has beef with Lil’ Wayne. Mr. Smith is holding a press conference in Times Square this afternoon to demand an apology from Mr. Wayne after the rapper expressed his distaste for New York in an interview with MTV News this week.

“The rapper publicly said he flat out don’t like New York. New York City is the birthplace of the Hip Hop music movement,” a press release from Mr. Smith’s office said. “Millions of New Yorkers listen to his music every day. His comments outraged his local fans and residents. The group today will be demanding an apology of the hip hop star.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 8/03/12 8:55am

The King

The Elvis impersonator endorsing Bobby Tullis for Congress. (Photo: YouTube)

Aged Elvis Impersonator Rocks Congressional Campaign Ad

This new web video for Arkansas congressional candidate Bobby Tullis may just be the most incredible campaign ad we’ve seen so far this year. Mr. Tullis’ commercial features an aged Elvis impersonator in a jeweled jumpsuit crooning a “Bobby Tullis For Congress” song.

“Ladies and gentlemen with all the fussing and feuding going on in Washington let’s elect someone grounded in the principle of economic freedom and personal liberty,” the Elvis impersonator says before breaking into song.

Mr. Tullis’ Elvis impersonator also makes a rather unusual campaign promise on the candidates’ behalf. Read More