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will.i.am back with pro-Obama video

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor February 29, 2008 04:24 PM


The singer, whose music video featuring celebrities speaking a Barack Obama speech in New Hampshire became a YouTube sensation, is back with a follow-up that debuted today.

This one sets to music a campaign crowd chanting "Obama, Obama!" and shows a series of celebs and voters talking about what they hope an Obama presidency would bring -- a cleaner environment, a united country, etc. Others join in the chant, inadvertently providing fodder, perhaps, for critics who say the enthusiasm for the Illinois senator verges on cult-like.

The video features several Hispanic voters and celebrities, including comedian George Lopez, when Latino voters could swing the crucial Texas contest on Tuesday.

The video is titled "We Are The Ones" and comes from will.i.am, the frontman for the Black Eyed Peas.

24 comments so far...
  1. The cult that is created around Obama is the American Dream. People still believe in it. Obama is reawakening that in America and youth are not as cynical as some. They are believing it can happen. It isn't for Obama--he's just the symbol--it's the American dream they're "cultish" about.

    Posted by Tom Krajewski February 29, 08 04:38 PM
  1. Great video. I like it.

    Posted by Paul February 29, 08 05:38 PM
  1. Dear Ben, This is a great video. Please watch it. Love Mother and Mike

    Posted by ben wik February 29, 08 07:36 PM
  1. Finally, a real chance to work toward breaking down the barriers/divisions of race, class, socioeconomics, clashing cultures, pessimism, elitism and the like. I'm pumped! Americans of all ages are hungry for change. Lets make it happen!
    Obama! Obama! Obama! Obama! Thanks for helping us BELIEVE again.

    Posted by rita February 29, 08 09:39 PM
  1. People want to believe that in this country an intelligent idealistic mixed race black kid with a Muslim middle name who had to work harder than others to get a education and excel, who opted to work with poor communities seeking positive change. In a country where many still believe it couldn't happen, he has a real shot at becoming president. It's not him! It's us! We have to overcome our prjudice and our cynicism. We are doing the unlikely, changing history and we need to do more and show the world America can fulfill the dreams of it's Founding Fathers and countless others who have come to this land seeking to make their dreams real. The world is also watching wanting to believe once again in the promise of America. It's not him. It's us. He is not saying I can do this I'm experienced and a know it all. He is saying: I can bring you together and inspire YOU to change this country and move it closer to all of our dreams.

    Posted by Daniel Borrero March 1, 08 12:33 AM
  1. Be sure that one man Barack Obama is inspiring the hopes and dreams of so many of us OUR time has come finally...what is happening in america now is history in the making... be sure to be part of it vote for Obama ! OUR NEXT PRESIDENT ! texas

    Posted by bobwest March 1, 08 07:57 AM
  1. Outstanding. A President who challenges us to believe in and work for a better America instead of lowering our expectations (McCain) or trying to convince us that they have an inside track to working the good ol boy network. (Clinton)

    Posted by Ivory J Harris March 1, 08 09:29 AM
  1. This is wonderful - he should use it as his backup music - it's original and made for his campaign. We in Canada love him and want him to be the next President - to bring about change and help make our country safer as well.

    Posted by Sharon Ross March 1, 08 09:41 AM
  1. "Again and again in history, some special people wake up. They have no ground in the crowd, they move to broader laws. They carry strange customs and demand room for bold and audacious actions. The future speaks ruthlessly through them, and they change the world." - Rainer Milke

    We were born for such a time as this!

    Posted by Michael March 1, 08 12:18 PM
  1. This video gives me hope and makes me feel so good all over. At first I was for Hillary because she has the most experience, being the former First Lady and also a Senator in New York. But Obama came along and moved me along with many others in a way no other politician has ever done before in the history of America! How you could not vote for Obama witnessing his ability to capture every race and age group - giving us all hope for a brighter and more prosperous America.

    Posted by Veronica March 1, 08 03:05 PM
  1. Creepy creepy creepy. This thing is way out of hand.

    Posted by PIt March 1, 08 03:35 PM
  1. "Cult" is a sensationalist buzzword. "Enthusiasm" is a word more attributable to basketball fans and concert crowds than American voters. This isn't such suggested brash enthusiasm, or a cult following; it's a revival of the positive energy that has waned so severely over the past decade. That energy will prevail over cynics and skeptical commentators alike.

    Posted by Alexandra March 1, 08 03:52 PM
  1. dream on liberal IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by deron courtney March 1, 08 05:51 PM
  1. Great video. I made me cry. I loved it.

    Posted by Nancy O'Donnell March 1, 08 06:51 PM
  1. I grew up in Eastern Eaurope under communism. I remember all of us school children having to chant our leaders' names. This video reminds me of all that is wrong with the cult of personality as a feature of political culture--it is based on an emotional response, blind trust, and the deliberate erasure of opportunities for critical discussion of the issues. Celebrity culture marries political culture. The result: we're entertaining ourselves to death.

    Posted by Zee March 1, 08 07:49 PM
  1. I love the video. I have hope for America. I want America to be what it has always said it would be. Critics seem to forget that we are, at heart, Americans, and we can do anything when we unite behind someone we respect. Yes we can.

    Posted by marcharjan March 1, 08 08:37 PM
  1. This is an AMAZING video; very well done and quite catching.... But most importantly, it highlights the reasons (i.e. specifics) of why Obama should be president and why so many people hope through him for a better future for our country.

    Posted by TexasDemocrat March 2, 08 01:32 AM
  1. Obama for president...

    Posted by Rayzo Mpolase March 2, 08 03:30 AM
  1. "I believe in Obama because he believes in us"....? Pretty vague stuff! I want a president who knows how to work within the existing branches of government to make positive changes on social and economic fronts. I don't need a "life coach" president or a "preacher leader" to "inspire me to feel better about myself"...That's not the President's job. If people have low self esteem they should get in therapy or go out into the world to help other people and be less self-centered. The Democrats need to get real about Obama's chances of beating John McCain in a general election. Standing next to a P.O.W hero who is seen as moderate, Obama will be painted as a far left beatnik flower child and that's not going to fly in Ohio and Florida and the states Democrats need to win in November.

    Posted by James March 2, 08 08:33 AM
  1. Love the criticism. Right on target. This guy is pandering to the no substance liberal "rock star" mentality crowd. He'll open the flood gates to more trespassers, will embolden our enemies and will undermine our economy. Gas is $4, when will we begin drilling American oil? Not ever, so long as Obama or his democrat friends are in charge. Who would bin Laden vote for? Who would Hugo Chavez vote for?

    Posted by V racer March 2, 08 08:53 AM
  1. OBAMA is the President of the United States... Get over it!

    Posted by Obama is the President of the United States! March 3, 08 10:05 AM
  1. awesome video, very moving. Inspired me to get on the video making bandwagon, in my own way. http://www.mushygushy.com/LWSW7M

    Posted by James March 3, 08 11:22 AM
  1. I really love the will.i.am Obama videos. They're awesome!

    Posted by Maia Grieve March 5, 08 08:36 PM
  1. speaking from the point of view of a 16 year old girl i find it funny that all summer topic of most conversations at parties and just between friends has been this election. And most of us arnt even old enough to vote. Obama has sparked enthusiasim in so many different ethnic and age groups, creating one group, joined by hope for the future. He is truly inspirering.

    Posted by Sarah August 16, 08 01:05 PM
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About political intelligence Field reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors covering the 2008 presidential campaign and the national maneuvering of Bay State politicians.

Send your comments to masspolitics@globe.com

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