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Five political jobs Kanye West can do if his presidential campaign all falls down Five political jobs Kanye West can do if his presidential campaign all falls down
(35 minutes later)
As Kanye West soaks in the first day of his campaign for president of the United States in 2020, the last thing the restlessly ambitious rapper will be thinking about is the possibility of failure.As Kanye West soaks in the first day of his campaign for president of the United States in 2020, the last thing the restlessly ambitious rapper will be thinking about is the possibility of failure.
But running for president can be tough, as political luminaries such as Hillary Clinton, Al Gore and George HW Bush have found. And sometimes it’s advisable to hope for the best, but plan for the worst.But running for president can be tough, as political luminaries such as Hillary Clinton, Al Gore and George HW Bush have found. And sometimes it’s advisable to hope for the best, but plan for the worst.
Related: Kanye for president: could his beautiful dark twisted fantasy come true?Related: Kanye for president: could his beautiful dark twisted fantasy come true?
Failed candidates often find themselves in the winning president’s cabinet or other important government roles. So with that in mind, here are five other senior political jobs West could be offered by the eventual winner in 2020.Failed candidates often find themselves in the winning president’s cabinet or other important government roles. So with that in mind, here are five other senior political jobs West could be offered by the eventual winner in 2020.
First ladyFirst lady
This is a natural fit for West, who has branched out in recent years into fashion design, as the first lady is, archaically, expected to redesign the White House and determine the aesthetic of the president’s home.This is a natural fit for West, who has branched out in recent years into fashion design, as the first lady is, archaically, expected to redesign the White House and determine the aesthetic of the president’s home.
Of course, West as first lady would likely mean Kim Kardashian as president. Kardashian is better known for her reality show credentials, but she has begun wading into politics lately, calling on Obama to use the word genocide with reference to the Armenians. So the prospect is not unthinkable. Of course, West as first lady would likely mean Kim Kardashian as president. Kardashian is better known for her reality show credentials, but she has begun wading into politics, calling on Obama to use the word genocide with reference to the Armenians. So the prospect is not unthinkable.
When it comes to changing the White House’s style, West could tap into his experience as a designer; he has worked at Fendi, Louis Vuitton and collaborated with a number of companies including Nike.When it comes to changing the White House’s style, West could tap into his experience as a designer; he has worked at Fendi, Louis Vuitton and collaborated with a number of companies including Nike.
His contributions to art and design were formalized in May, when the School of the Art Institute of Chicago awarded him an honorary doctorate. While accepting the honor, West referenced his respect for presidential portraiture.His contributions to art and design were formalized in May, when the School of the Art Institute of Chicago awarded him an honorary doctorate. While accepting the honor, West referenced his respect for presidential portraiture.
“George Bush ... has some very cool self-portraits,” he said. “I didn’t know he was an artist.”“George Bush ... has some very cool self-portraits,” he said. “I didn’t know he was an artist.”
US Ambassador to China US ambassador to China
The role of ambassador is often dismissed as nothing more than a chance to charm US dignitaries and press in a foreign land and throw extravagant parties – which would be great for a pop star like West.The role of ambassador is often dismissed as nothing more than a chance to charm US dignitaries and press in a foreign land and throw extravagant parties – which would be great for a pop star like West.
He would be particularly suited to representing the US in China, where he lived for a year at age 10 when his mother was teaching at Nanjing University in 1987. His experience in the country arguably makes him more qualified than the current US ambassador to China, former senator Max Baucus, who was criticised upon his appointment for his apparent lack of Chinese language skills.He would be particularly suited to representing the US in China, where he lived for a year at age 10 when his mother was teaching at Nanjing University in 1987. His experience in the country arguably makes him more qualified than the current US ambassador to China, former senator Max Baucus, who was criticised upon his appointment for his apparent lack of Chinese language skills.
Baucus was selected for the position in part because of his experience with trade. West, for his part, is trained in marketing across the world.Baucus was selected for the position in part because of his experience with trade. West, for his part, is trained in marketing across the world.
Press secretaryPress secretary
This role is the prime vehicle for delivering information about the White House to the press and public. But as representative of the top government branch in the United States, the press secretary is just as responsible for dodging reporters’ questions. While Obama’s former press secretary Jay Carney was known for deflecting challenging comments with statements like “I would refer you to someone else,” West’s penchant for rambling speeches and interview answers would throw the most experienced White House reporters. Here’s one for example:This role is the prime vehicle for delivering information about the White House to the press and public. But as representative of the top government branch in the United States, the press secretary is just as responsible for dodging reporters’ questions. While Obama’s former press secretary Jay Carney was known for deflecting challenging comments with statements like “I would refer you to someone else,” West’s penchant for rambling speeches and interview answers would throw the most experienced White House reporters. Here’s one for example:
Style.com: Did you look to anyone, like Margiela, Helmut Lang. What influences –Style.com: Did you look to anyone, like Margiela, Helmut Lang. What influences –
West: You guys know my fucking influences. I’ve got four influences and it’s written all over the face, you know the combination ... It’s blatantly right there. I’m not going to try and act like I was influenced by a fucking dog walking down the street that broke its ankle that I had a heartfelt discussion with.West: You guys know my fucking influences. I’ve got four influences and it’s written all over the face, you know the combination ... It’s blatantly right there. I’m not going to try and act like I was influenced by a fucking dog walking down the street that broke its ankle that I had a heartfelt discussion with.
Circuit judge in the US court of appeals for the seventh circuitCircuit judge in the US court of appeals for the seventh circuit
This president-appointed position would make West one of 11 active judges serving a court that oversees federal appeals cases, including those that go through courts in West’s native Chicago.This president-appointed position would make West one of 11 active judges serving a court that oversees federal appeals cases, including those that go through courts in West’s native Chicago.
As an LGBT rights advocate, West would feel at home in the seventh circuit, which struck down same-sex marriage bans in two states under the court’s jurisdiction in September 2014, a move that led to same-sex marriage becoming legal in all states in the court’s jurisdiction.As an LGBT rights advocate, West would feel at home in the seventh circuit, which struck down same-sex marriage bans in two states under the court’s jurisdiction in September 2014, a move that led to same-sex marriage becoming legal in all states in the court’s jurisdiction.
He would need a law degree to do this, but at his level of celebrity, it is fairly easy to get an honorary degree. And again, his habit of delivering long diatribes is not exactly unknown among the country’s top judges.He would need a law degree to do this, but at his level of celebrity, it is fairly easy to get an honorary degree. And again, his habit of delivering long diatribes is not exactly unknown among the country’s top judges.
Appointee for United States representative, executive board of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Appointee for United States representative, executive board of the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef)
At Sunday night’s VMA ceremony, where he announced his presidential candidacy, West made clear that one of his main platforms is “listen to the kids”, repeating the phrase throughout his remarks. He has also spoken warmly about the influence becoming a father has had on how he approaches the world.At Sunday night’s VMA ceremony, where he announced his presidential candidacy, West made clear that one of his main platforms is “listen to the kids”, repeating the phrase throughout his remarks. He has also spoken warmly about the influence becoming a father has had on how he approaches the world.
His Grammy-winning track Diamonds from Sierra Leone was inspired by research he did into human rights abuses in the West African diamond trade, specifically how children were affected by the situation.His Grammy-winning track Diamonds from Sierra Leone was inspired by research he did into human rights abuses in the West African diamond trade, specifically how children were affected by the situation.
Obama last week appointed a new person to this position, Charles “Chip” Lyons, president and CEO of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. As West eyes a position in the executive branch, he could look to Lyons for training before taking over the spot.Obama last week appointed a new person to this position, Charles “Chip” Lyons, president and CEO of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. As West eyes a position in the executive branch, he could look to Lyons for training before taking over the spot.
As West said in a 2013 Twitter rant, he is interested in consulting all types of people to solve the world’s problems.As West said in a 2013 Twitter rant, he is interested in consulting all types of people to solve the world’s problems.
“There are so many broken systems from the economy to school systems jail systems... we need experts for this…” West tweeted. “We need scientist and top world designers to directly affect governments.”“There are so many broken systems from the economy to school systems jail systems... we need experts for this…” West tweeted. “We need scientist and top world designers to directly affect governments.”