PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Singer Wyclef Jean is considering a run for president of Haiti but has not decided whether to seek a five-year term as leader of the quake-ravaged nation, the musician's family said Monday.

There have been rumors for some time the Haitian-born entertainer might enter the 2010 presidential contest, ever since his 2007 appointment as ambassador-at-large for the Caribbean nation by President Rene Preval, who cannot seek re-election.

In a statement e-mailed to reporters, the family said, "Wyclef's commitment to his homeland and its youth is boundless, and he will remain its greatest supporter regardless of whether he is part of the government moving forward ... If and when a decision is made, media will be alerted immediately."

The letter was signed "The Jean Family." A spokeswoman for the musician confirmed the message's authenticity.

Jean, 37, was born on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince but left the hemisphere's poorest country as a child and grew up in New York City's borough of Brooklyn.

He told The Associated Press in a recent interview he intended to be involved in the Nov. 28 election, but not necessarily as a candidate.

"Do I have political intentions? At this time no. But what I do have is a movement — it's called Face a Face, 'Face to Face'," Jean said. "The youth population ... we are going to encourage them to vote."

The singer has been active in recent years in raising money through his Yele Haiti Foundation. The organization was widely criticized for alleged financial irregularities after the Jan. 12 quake, when scrutiny revealed it had paid Jean to perform at fundraising events and bought advertising air time from a television station he co-owns.

The organization hired a new accounting firm after the allegations surfaced.

Jean, who said he voted for Preval in 2006, would not have an easy road as a candidate. Haitian elections are contentious and often violent.

Dozens of candidates are expected to declare themselves by the Aug. 7 deadline. Preval's opponents have threatened to block the Nov. 28 vote if he does not replace the presidentially approved electoral council, which he has refused to do.

To enter the race, Jean would have to prove he has resided in Haiti for five consecutive years, own property in the country and have never been a citizen of any country other than Haiti.

Whoever wins will face the gargantuan task of rebuilding a country devastated by the Jan. 12 earthquake. Haiti has not had a functioning economy in decades and its presidents have only rarely completed a constitutional five-year term — more typically being overthrown, getting assassinated, declaring themselves "president-for-life" or some combination of the three.

Very interesting.

If he ran, he'd no doubt probably win. And THAT would be very interesting. Actually, I'd LOVE to see that happen.

I don't know much about Wyclef's credentials, but he clearly has a love for Haiti and wishes to do good.

Based on THAT ALONE, he's probably the BEST candidate for the presidency. If he has the tenacity to navigate the complicated power cells of Haitian society, then he may very well be able to turn things around.

Of course, there's always the chance that he could win the election, then be proven to be inept and not be able to do a damned thing to make any positive changes.

c'est la vie.

Jean has been accused of mismanaging his non-profit for his personal gain.

Not a good background for a candidate to lead a country already victimized by generations of ethically compromised leaders.

namepeace said:

Jean has been accused of mismanaging his non-profit for his personal gain.

Not a good background for a candidate to lead a country already victimized by generations of ethically compromised leaders.

I've read about that too. How could anyone consider a pop star equipped to run a country? Hell, just look at the mess California is in with its own celebrity leader.

TheResistor said:

namepeace said:

Jean has been accused of mismanaging his non-profit for his personal gain.

Not a good background for a candidate to lead a country already victimized by generations of ethically compromised leaders.

I've read about that too. How could anyone consider a pop star equipped to run a country? Hell, just look at the mess California is in with its own celebrity leader.

I realize my opinion is in the minority (...if not the lone voice, lol), but I have a feeling that not only would he win (should he run), but that he would be an amazing President who would go down in history as having turned Haiti around into a productive country. For one thing, I'm sure he's familiar with where the corruption is in the current Haitian government. With the power of the Presidency, he may be able to shake some things up down there.

The thing is, we're all human, and I believe that even he had admitted that there some errors or mishandling with some of his organizations finances; but I believe Wyclef's heart is in the right place, and I think he feels strongly about Haiti. Though I can't speak for the Haitian people.

Call me a dreamer, to be kind.

I say go for it!

Good for him! What an interesting life story he will have to tell before it's all over. As President; I bet he'll still perform! He might wind up being bigger than Elvis, lol.

DakutiusMaximus said:

Haiti's next president will face an enormous task of rebuilding a country devastated by the Jan. 12 earthquake. But the office has never been an easy job: Presidents have only rarely completed a constitutional five-year term — most in history have been overthrown, assassinated, declared themselves "president-for-life" or some combination of the three.

...so shady, lol.

......

I think it would be a great story. Whether or not he governs well is another story. That would remain to be seen. Besides, he would need to surround himself with the best cabinet (or whatever they call it in Haiti) as possible. I think his heart would be in the right place for the people. He'd just need the right experienced supporting cast to help him govern.

Side Note: It would be funny as hell, if he'd continue to do music while in office! Imagine that

"If I Was President"

[Edited 8/4/10 6:40am]

Will he run one time, or two time?

Rico said:

Will he run one time, or two time?

I get it, lol. (...put your hands in the air!)

Musicslave said:

Side Note: It would be funny as hell, if he'd continue to do music while in office! Imagine that

"If I Was President"

...and really, really cool. He would have that entire nation in the palm of his hand. The people would LOVE him. And Haiti would have "one-up'd" the United States on the whole 'having a cool President' thing, lol.

As long as it doesn't require "singing" we are the world, I'm all for it!

alphastreet said:

As long as it doesn't require "singing" we are the world, I'm all for it!

Amen OMG that was atrocious

Will the American government kidnap him like they did Aristide? Or worse.

2freaky4church1 said:

Will the American government kidnap him like they did Aristide? Or worse.

Definitely have to be bedfellows with the United States in order to run Haiti at this point in time. The whole mismanagement of the Yele funds just left a bad taste in my mouth. If you have challenges running a charity without mismanagement...what's going to happen with the government finances of a known corrupt government...a governement who's previous presidents basically looted the entire country and left it for bankrupt? A grossly corrupt government who's officials are still in office.

Not saying that Wyclef could not run the country...however I'm mindful that it takes more than having Haiti in your heart and doing good deeds for the country to successfuly pull a country with the NEEDS of Haiti out of the horrible circumstances that it is in, and has been in for many many years. In addition, there are a lot more "hands in the pot" now since the earthquake. Other countries have donated millions and it's not like they are not going to want to have some "say" (whatever that entails) in the Haitian government. People just don't donate millions and then turn that backs on that money and say "good luck"..they are want to see what's going down.

I hope that whoever governs Haiti ends up doing a good job for that country. Not sure about the Wyclef thing...but we shall see.

Rico said:

Will he run one time, or two time?

alphastreet said:

As long as it doesn't require "singing" we are the world, I'm all for it!

You know?! LOL

TheResistor said:

namepeace said:

Jean has been accused of mismanaging his non-profit for his personal gain.

Not a good background for a candidate to lead a country already victimized by generations of ethically compromised leaders.

I've read about that too. How could anyone consider a pop star equipped to run a country? Hell, just look at the mess California is in with its own celebrity leader.

And also a president like Ronald Reagan. People in entertainment need do not need to run for elections.

There's a video of Bill Clinton admitting he fucked up when he made Haitians buy American rice, which made their farmers become broke, where they had to go into the city and work at sweatshops that made, among other things, Disney Clothes.

If Ah-nald made it as "gub-nah" I don't see why Wyclef can't be President of Haiti......

Haiti's needs are so vast, and so profound...I'm beginning to think that it needs to be run by a "Council" instead of one individual. If not a "council" then perhaps Capitalism is not what's going to make Haiti successful. Perhaps they need to explore other societal models. I'm just saying. I wish that I had the answer for that country, because I have a lot of friends from there and they are some pretty cool people.