11.21.09
ENTERTAINMENT

Latina.com Exclusive: Daddy Yankee Explains Why He Supports John McCain

Retna Ltd.

Amigo de Obama? Not Daddy Yankee. The reggaetonero has confirmed that come election day, his vote will be for Republican candidate John McCain. Latina.com spoke exclusively to Daddy Yankee to understand why he decided to vote Republican this November while most celebrities seem downright fanatic about Democratic nominee Barack Obama.  

The Puerto Rican native says the Senator made an impression on him the first time they met, at an event nearly two years ago: "I thought he was a really cool person, and this was way before he was even a presidential candidate, and I liked him a lot."

The unlikely partners reconnected last month when they were both in New York. "He invited me [to Washington] and I went," says Yankee. "We talked about boxing, we're both boxing fanatics."

It was McCain's down-to-earth nature that appealed to him the most. He explains, "the cool thing about McCain is that the same guy that was senator is the same guy who is running for president now. When I talked to him, I never felt beneath him, he looks directly at me when he’s speaking to me, and we have the same level of respect for each other."

But it was the stories McCain told him of his time on the battlefield that really struck a chord with the musician. "He said, 'Yankee, I was a soldier. And I saw people die next to me, Latinos who never got their citizenship but who were willing to die for this country. I saw a Hernandez, I saw a Rodriguez, how they killed them.' And that broke my heart hearing that. And I went, man, this guy lived it. He’s not just going, 'hey I want your vote.' He lived it."

Does it bother him that McCain doesn't speak a word of Spanish? "No, no. He has this great desire to help our people. People don't know this but since he was a senator, he has fought hard for the well-being of Latinos. I know we are dealing with someone who cares about the Latino community."


"I was surprised I have to say at how willing to listen he is," Yankee explains. "People who haven’t met him might get the wrong perception of him but he's totally different."

When we asked if he had plans to meet with Democratic candidate Barack Obama, Yankee responded with a curt, "No."

If Daddy Yankees influence within the Latino community is any indication, looks like John McCain's bid for the White House just got a major bump.

Tell us, does Daddy Yankee's endorsement of McCain affect your decision?



83 Comments
Puerto Ricans can only vote in primary elections, not in the general presidential election, it's a fact. Clinton only campaigned in Puerto Rico during the primary race. http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/20/america/letter.php
Actually they can't. While they are a US territory and they can vote in presidential primaries, helping to influence a party's candidate, they cannot vote in the actual US election.
thank you belkisd1a, looks like SOMEONE has done their research... i personally would have perfered Hillary to win, but since that cant happen Obama is the next best thing. the only reason McCain picked Palin as vice president was merely to gain woman's vote which in my opinion is a low blow... obama all the way!
I applaud Daddy Yankee for standing by his decision. Imreally dissapointed with fat joe and the stupid things he said about Daddy Yankee, I respected Fat Joe as a fellow puerto rican and as great artist not because of who he was voting for, everyone has a right to vote for whoever they feel is right for this country. Just because we are latinos doesnt mean that we all have to vote for the same person, and if your voting for obama because hes a minority good for you (obama is also half white). Hispanics are becoming less of a minority and more of the majority. I dont care for a president thats going to favor a certain ethnic group,we need to get out of that mentality. My whole family and extended family are john macain supporters that doesnt make us less latinos or traitors, its just who we decided to vote for and thats our right!
I agree with the first comment along with many of the other comments. When we vote in this election we need to be educated about the candidates. This country is in too much trouble to put another person in the white house who is out of touch with the common man! And as for Palin, she is just a big distraction! All the press about her is taking people's minds off of the issues!
This article makes me sad because a lot of people share Daddy Yankee's attitude and laziness for researching what these candidates stand for. I am an Obama supporter, not because of his moving speeches or because he is a minority. I've really researched both sides of this race and I feel that Obama has this countries' best intrests at heart. I agree that Mc Cain does seem to be a good person who has been through a lot. But that doesn't mean he should be allowed to continue to run our country to the ground! People HAVE to do the research... and think about what they really want for themselves and for their futures...it's too important to just vote for someone who "seems cool"... educate yourselves.. make an informed decision!!!
How sad! I mean, I can understand why a Cuban rightwing nutjob in Miami would support McCain, and I can understand why los ricos from Colombia would, but someone from Puerto Rico? Wow This article is nothing more than a paid advertisement for the McSame campaign and you really have to question the question the motives of the publishers of this magazine.Look into the backgrounds of Latina's publishers. Their names are on the publication's mastheads. And then cancel your subscriptions
The republican plan: Stay in Iraq and at the same time go to war with Russia and Iran, keep borrowing money from china, give tax cuts to companies that ship American jobs over seas and raise taxes to the middle class, drill for oil and worsen the climate crisis when there are clean alternatives that will cause no harm to the planet, run a campaign based on lies and smears avoiding the issues becasue they know it has worked in the past and stupid people like lovinlife and mejibabi fall for it. I feel sorry for you and feel sorry for all of us if the dum-namic duo win this election.
Personally, I'm proud of Daddy Yankees decision to vote for John McCain. It shows that he has a good head on his shoulders. I think John McCain has a lot to offer us. He has a plan for cutting unnecessary government spending. Programs that are commonly called "pork barrel." Tell me why do we need a museum that pays tribute to Woodstock? What about studying the DNA of a bear? How is that going to improve the lives of American citizens? John McCain has a track record for not voting on earmarks. Meaning he will not frivilously spend the taxpayers money. He also has more experience than Barack Obama. Obama wants to talk to these countries we are at war with, They don't want to talk to us they hate the U.S. That's a bit naive to think that these countries want to "talk" I wholeheartedly agree with lovin'life's comments.
Okay, fix yourselves a cup of coffee, this one is gonna be a long one! First point, Belkisd1a, I'm not "buying into the soldier story"...McCain's service happens to be a statement of fact...sorry to disappoint on that front...But you're right, being a veteran alone doesn't qualify one to be president (thankfully in McCain's case, he has a lot more than that on his political résumé) However, neither does being a community organizer qualify one to be president...I've already addressed that McCain has proven himself to be his own man, standing against corruption within his own republican party...Next point, He crashed 5 Planes??? No, that claim has no more credibility than the chain email that started it...In truth, the Navy officially commended his piloting skills...According to the Annenberg Political Fact Check (www.factcheck.org) "Some say McCain "lost" five planes, others that he "crashed" five planes. All offer this alleged "fact" as evidence that he was a bad pilot. All are incorrect. McCain did lose two Navy aircraft while piloting them, both due to engine failure. A third was destroyed on the deck of the carrier USS Forrestal when hit by a missile fired accidentally from another plane, triggering a disastrous fire that killed 134 sailors and nearly killed McCain. A fourth plane was lost when he was shot down over North Vietnam on a bombing mission over Hanoi. There's no evidence that any of the four destroyed planes were lost to pilot error. A fifth alleged "crash" turns out to be a misinterpretation of a biographer's description of a flight accident that did not result in the loss of the aircraft." Next point, yes, I'm aware that he supports the prospect of drilling, which would probably alleviate our burden in less time than what it would take to put a suitable alternative fuel source into action on a national level...And, contrary to common belief, this could accomplished safely & with minimal impact to the environment...He's realistic, that's what I respect...Next point, as for the tax comment, a lesson on income tax, if you will: The wealthiest 1 percent of the population earn 19 per­cent of the income but pay 37 percent of this country's income tax. The top 10 percent pay 68 percent of the tab. The bottom 50 percent—those below the median income level—now earn 13 percent of the income but pay just 3 percent of the taxes. So naturally the wealthy would get the most relief from a rate cut-and they should, because they pay a vastly disproportionate share of our nation's taxes...Next point, the immigration issue is a seriously touchy one...being a first generation American, I watched my parents struggle to come to this country legally...I watched them respect this country's laws and EARN their place as American citizens and all of the privileges associated therein...That being said, I agree that it would be heart-breaking to separate families and I sympathize with those who are simply fighting for a better life...And I feel that the employed, hard-working illegal immigrants here now should have the opportunity to earn citizenship...they should pay taxes & act as responsible members of society...but again, American citizenship is a privilege, not a right...and as such, it should be earned...automatic immunity is unfair & unjust...one shouldn't simply be rewarded for committing a crime...no matter the supposed good intentions behind breaking that law. Any illegal immigrant that is unemployed, has a criminal record, or is otherwise a drain on tax dollars should not be permitted to stay...Fortunately, I personally believe that the majority of today's population of illegal immigrants are good, decent, hard-working people looking for a better life for their families & therefore should be given every opportunity to earn the right to stay...Phew! That's it, good night & God bless!

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