P. Diddy Gets The Vote Out

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs announced his voter-registration/voter interest drive initiative, Citizen Change, earlier this week. The way to reach the 42 million voters between 18 and 30? The urgent, fatalistic and ultimately pithy: "Vote or Die!" (It also sounds like a video game.) The program is non-partisan, non-profit, and chock full of celebrity endorsers, with 50 Cent, Leonardo DiCaprio, Snoop Dogg, and Jay-Z and Ashton Kutcher on board. Vote or Die! shirts went on sale earlier this week, and Diddy Combs will be making appearance at both conventions - the Democratic National Convention on July 29 and the Republican National Convention on September 2.

Ta-Nehisi Coates' Village Voice article about Diddy's press conference is critical ("Combs's effort reached beyond celebrity media whoredom into political media whoredom" referring political strategist James "Serpenthad" Carville who is working with Diddy) but gives Diddy credit: "Arrogant he may be, but Combs is one hell of a showman." Newsday's Ellis Henican is dazzled by Combs, calling him what the election needs. Gothamist has to hand it to Diddy - he's out there, trying to do get young people interested in issues, whether he's running to help NYC city schools or seizing politics to remind people they do have a voice, so we can only wish him the best.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on July 23, 2004 11:00 AM

Comments [rss]

toccara

this can not happen again to america whoever you vote for dammit just do it. I attend florida a&m university in tallahassee florida and hopefully this time our vote will be counted

tre

Man, you people are some morons. All you care about is buying the dumb t-shirt and emulating a celeb, not engaging in any actual political thought. The thought of MTV/Sex and the City/Jimmy Choo/BET lemmings like you voting based on this is scary as hell. Please stay home.

You guys probably thought Cameron Diaz on Oprah was inspiring too.

4 more years

Junior

Yo were can i get a vote or die shirt

Annita

WHERE DO U GET THAE SHIRTS LIKE THE EXACT ONE P.DIDDY IS WEARING.

Glenda Mejia

Diddy, what you are doing is something to be very proud of. This is just adding on to the many reasons why I admire and love you so much. Keep doing you.

... "TAKE THAT, TAKE THAT" BAD BOY BABY

"Business before pleasure LADY DIDDY and the fam. who you know do it better?"

info needed

"Unfounded Loyalty" in which he reports how historically, the Republican Party has been the party of and for the advancement of black people.

He absolutely tears ups the Dems for taking the black vote for granted for decades. He brought out such interesting points as how the Ku Klux Klan was the "arm" of the Democratic Party at one time to oppress the black vote; how since it's inception 212 years ago, the Democratic Party has been a vicious oppressor of black Americans until they needed their votes in the recent past three decades.

I know that Kennedy and Johnson pushed through the Civil Rights Act in the '60s but I also remember, growing up in the South, that it was Southern Democrat Politicians who relegated black people using separate public restrooms and water foutains. It was progressive Republicans who fought for equal rights for black Americans.Dear "me" what is your email add i found this on googal wile looking for a vote or die tee i had my mom read this she was pissed she always voted DEM not no more there is a lot more in the book did you read all of it its crazy!!

Candace Williams

Thank You Diddy! I think the message you are sending is Great "vote or die" that's right. Bad Boy for life!

Patty Moh

I think this is great!!! Diddy's THE MAN!! I already admired him so much, now I'm just overwhelmed!!! Thank you Diddy, thank you so much!!!!

Michi

DUH!!! Buy a T-shirt at www. VoteOrDie.com !! They're running out, though, so you could probably get them on E-bay...

jezsee83

where can i find a tee

boo

where r the tees!!!!!!!!!!

boo

where r the tees!!!!!!!!!!

Rachel

If anyone is interested in the VOTE orDIE TEES I have Tons. I have a family member who works for the company and was able to get me tons and tons. If you are interested please email me at chichiblingss@aol.com!!! i promise there are the exact P. Diddy ones!!!

Rachel

If anyone is interested in the VOTE orDIE TEES I have Tons. I have a family member who works for the company and was able to get me tons and tons. If you are interested please email me at chichiblingss@aol.com!!! i promise there are the exact P. Diddy ones!!!

Rachel

If anyone is interested in the VOTE orDIE TEES I have Tons. I have a family member who works for the company and was able to get me tons and tons. If you are interested please email me at chichiblingss@aol.com!!! i promise there are the exact P. Diddy ones!!!

Sierra high school

The student government of sierra high school in colorado springs, Colorado was very inspired by your slogan, "vote or die". It inspired us to hold a spirit week, assembly, dance, and encourage the community to get envolved in this years election. We want to recognize P Diddy for his inspiratin and was wondering if it was okay to use his slogan as a part of our spirit week.

Sierra high school

The student government of sierra high school in colorado springs, Colorado was very inspired by your slogan, "vote or die". It inspired us to hold a spirit week, assembly, dance, and encourage the community to get envolved in this years election. We want to recognize P Diddy for his inspiratin and was wondering if it was okay to use his slogan as a part of our spirit week.

JERRY

MILLIONS BLOCKED FROM VOTING IN US ELECTION. THIS IS CRAZY IF U WANT TWO READ THE STORY GO TWO YAHOO IT ON THE WEBSITE RIGHT NOW

Peter Hanna

Hello, my name is Peter Hanna and I think its a great thing what your doing and I would like to know if you'll be interested in incorporating your logo on my dog-tags. petezh1@yahoo.com

Angel

For everyone looking for the P. Diddy Vote or Die T-shirts here is the website that sells them $28.00 for the women's babydoll T-shirt $30.00 for the Men's T-shirt

http://www.kintera.org/site/apps/ka/ec/catalog.asp?c=kkJ2JeO0F&b=140594&en=biJQKZMALcILLTPzG9KRK1PAJaIPIbNQLkJSI2NIKmL3KjI&CategoryID=45340

Just thought I would pass it along