Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Ex-Fugee Pras: I Won't Back Wyclef

Brooklyn Haitians skeptical of Jean's presidential bid

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 6, 2010 8:29 AM CDT

(Newser) – Wyclef Jean says he’s counting on New York’s plethora of Haitian expats to carry him to victory in his presidential bid. “Wyclef Jean needs to be 3 million strong,” Jean said recently. But there’s one New York Haitian he hasn’t won over: Ex-Fugees bandmate Prakazarel "Pras" Michel. “I endorse Michel Martell as the next president of Haiti,” Pras said yesterday, according to the New York Daily News, “because he is the most competent candidate.”

Pras isn’t alone, if the Daily News’ man-on-the-street interviews are any indication. “Wyclef is a musician. He’s not fit for the job,” said one Brooklyn Haitian. “It’s like taking an engineer and putting him in a hospital.” And at least one other celebrity is "very suspicious" of Jean's bid: Sean Penn tells CNN that "as an ambassador at large," Jean "has been virtually silent. For those of us in Haiti, he has been a non-presence." For more on that, click here.

This combo image shows Prakazarel Pras Michel (left) and Wyclef Jean.
This combo image shows Prakazarel "Pras" Michel (left) and Wyclef Jean.   (Getty Images / Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Sean Penn offers a word of caution regarding Wyclef Jean's bid for president of Haiti.   (CNN)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
59%
13%
5%
13%
0%
10%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
Ronald Jackson
Aug 8, 2010 5:32 PM CDT
I'm not the least bit surprised about Pras: I remember at the time of the Haiti Earthquake Pras was praising the likes of Poppa and Baby Doc Duvalier!! At the time I thought, "Wow, Pras is really quite a clown." So I personally would be profoundly suspicious of a guy like Pras backing Wyclef for president.
George-Jetson
Aug 7, 2010 5:45 AM CDT
"Wyclef Jean says he’s counting on New York’s plethora of Haitian expats to carry him to victory in his presidential bid." The plethora of Haitians in Haiti have no say in this?
stevsie
Aug 6, 2010 1:57 PM CDT
there's poison in the water...
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne