Obama disapproval ratings at 63%, rapper Kanye West disses president

NEWARK, N.J., November 20, 2013 - In addition to his embattled healthcare policy losing steam, President Obama is now the butt of criticism by rapper Kanye West. This comes as as CBS and ABC polls report the president's disapproval rating at an all-time high of 63 percent, his approval at an all-time low of 37 percent.

West and Obama have had bad blood since the president called West a 'jackass' in 2009 for interrupting Taylor Swift on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards. West told HOT 107.9 radio in Philadelphia on Monday, 'Oh, you talking about how he use to come and visit me and my mama and tell me that he's about to run for president? ... I just think that we're pop icons, and the president likes to use that type of thing just to be down and stuff. 'Man, this is the person we love to hate, so if you want to distract people from everything that's going on ... just say you hate Kanye and there's going be 30 other people who say they hate Kanye ... That was kind of my position in culture so he also used that too, 'Oh, he's a jackass,' because that's how the world felt.'

West continued, 'I don't care if someone's the president or not. I care about thoughts and how you helping people and what you bring to the world.' At a speech at the Harvard Graduate School of Design last week he noted, 'I believe that utopia is actually possible ... But we're led by the least noble, the least dignified, the least tasteful, the dumbest, and the most political.'

When asked if he was done trading barbs with the president West told the radio station, 'I'm not gonna mention him no more, I'm past that ...That's out my thoughts. That's lowering my priority of thinking at this point.'

Meanwhile, Obama hasn't commented on West other than calling him a 'jackass' on more than one occasion. Obama has to worry about the Affordable Care Act, which is going terribly awry, possibly losing seats and control in next year's mid-term congressional elections, and boosting his failing image as leader of the free world.

With stories about the disaster Obamacare has become since its roll-out in October, the president needs to get out in front of this issue and lead America in the right direction. Obama's frequently repeated promises - like keeping your own doctor or your existing health plan if you liked them - are turning out to be non-truths, with more examples of their non-truthfulness popping up every day. This certainly isn't helping the president's credibility, nor is it helping America.

Public perception of the president is likely to get worse before it gets better. This provides Republicans with lots of opportunities to cash in for the 2014 congressional midterm elections. While it is unclear if the 'I told you so' approach will be successful for congressional Republicans, one thing remains clear: Obama's self inflicted wounds may very well define his historical legacy whether he recovers from them or not.

Rich Valdes is a former official in New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's Administration, an award-winning marketing director, and executive manager who has led staff and projects for various colleges, state policy initiatives, celebrity entertainers, faith based organizations, and non-profit charities. Rich has run small businesses, created strategic messaging campaigns to increase college student enrollment revenue, and produced high-profile public relations events to raise awareness for various brands. As a frequent TV, radio, and print media contributor, Rich's commentary on social issues and popular culture have been featured on Hot 97 FM, CNN Headline News, Telemundo, Univision, and Fox/My9 TV in New York. When not debating, politics, education, and culture, Rich is a single dad, school board member, and Young Benefactor at VH1 Save The Music Foundation. Rich attended New York University and is pursuing a Master's degree at Lincoln University while raising his two young daughters and caring for his elderly father just outside of New York City in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Follow Rich Valdes on Twitter: @RichValdes

This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.

Rich Valdes is a former official in New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's Administration, an award-winning marketing director, and manager who has led staff and projects for various colleges, state policy initiatives, celebrity entertainers, faith based organizations, and non-profit charities. Rich has run small businesses, created strategic messaging campaigns to increase college student enrollment revenue, and produced high-profile public relations events to raise awareness for various brands.

As a frequent TV, radio, and print media contributor, Rich's commentary on social issues and popular culture have been featured on Hot 97 FM, CNN Headline News, Telemundo, Univision, HHR and Fox/My9. When not debating, politics, education, and culture, Rich is a single dad, school board member, and Young Benefactor at VH1 Save The Music Foundation. Rich attended New York University and is pursuing a Master's degree at Lincoln University while raising his two young daughters and caring for his elderly father in the New York City suburb of Bergen County, New Jersey.

Follow Rich Valdes on Twitter: @richvaldes

Contact Rich Valdes