In 2012, rapper Pitbull pled to "Don't Stop The Party," but what party was he going after? Ahead of the 2016 presidential rapper, the Miami-loving, worldwide traveling Cuban-American "Time Of Our Lives" rapper has become one of the most hotly contended celebrities between the Republican and Democratic parties.
According to a new report from Buzzfeed, Mr. 305 has become a major target for Latino Republicans in Florida, and they want Pitbull to back Jeb Bush for president in 2016.
"I saw Armando [Perez, Pitbull's real name] at a party in Miami the other night and immediately started selling him on Jeb," said Republican strategist Ana Navarro. "It'd be professional negligence not to. Armando is Mr. 305 and well, that's Jeb's area code, too."
And though Pitbull actually campaigned for President Barack Obama in 2012, the Republicans are not detoured, citing the rapper's endorsement of charter schools as a major plus for the GOP.
"Pitbull is well-liked, hugely respected. I see him as policy-oriented. He's an entrepreneur who cares enormously about education and is an active advocate of school choice. He frequently shows up in schools and gives students motivational and aspirational speeches," Navarro said. "I don't see him as a partisan but as a guy who is grateful for the opportunities this country has given him, and as someone who wants to give back every way he can."
Meanwhile, Democrats are not concerned about celebrity endorsements of getting Pitbull on their side, scoffing at the idea of a Latino going for the Republicans at all.
As for Pitbull, well, he's just along for the party. In a statement to Buzzfeed, the rapper dismissed endorsing a Republican of Democrat for 2016, saying he's just here to bring everyone together.
"I'm not here to be part of any political party," he said. "I'm here to bring political parties to my party because they can't, they won't they never will, stop the Pitbull party, Dale!"
Dale, indeed.
