Obama campaign says Ludacris 'should be ashamed' of new song

A controversial new song by rapper Ludacris attacks Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Jesse Jackson and George Bush and has forced Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign to respond.

The Obama campaign issued a statement on Wednesday calling the new song outrageously offensive and said Ludacris "should be ashamed" of his lyrics.

In his song, called "Politics As Usual," Ludacris brags of being one of the Illinois senator's "favorite rappers" and then goes on the attack against several so-called "haters" of Barack Obama.

Senator Hillary Clinton is called an irrelevant "bitch." Senator John McCain doesn't "belong in any chair unless he's paralyzed." And Bush is "mentally handicapped," according to Ludacris.

But that's not all. Rev. Jesse Jackson is called "slick" and criticized for attacking Obama recently and then apologizing when he was caught. "If you said it then you meant it," says Ludacris. (See and listen to lyrics below.)

The new song makes a direct appeal to African Americans based on race loyalty even while the Obama campaign tries to downplay emphasis on race. But according to Ludacris: "The threats ain't fazing us, the nooses or the jokes. So get off your ass, black people, it's time to get out and vote!"

The Obama campaign quickly distanced itself from the new tune. "As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn't want his daughters or any children exposed to," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton in a statement. "This song is not only outrageously offensive to Sen. Clinton, Rev. Jackson, Sen. McCain and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics."

In an interview with Rolling Stone published earlier this year, Obama spoke highly of Ludacris and others in hip hop. "I know Jay-Z. I know Ludacris. I know Russell Simmons," said the Democratic presidential candidate. "I know a bunch of these guys. They are great talents and great businessmen, which is something that doesn't get emphasized enough. It would be nice if I could have my daughters listen to their music without me worrying that they were getting bad images of themselves."

Obama has previously said that Ludacris's music is among his favorites in his Ipod, and the 30-year-old Atlanta-based recording artist, born Christopher Bridges, has become more mainstream in recent years. Ludacris reportedly signed a multi-million dollar endorsement contract with AT&T this summer, making him the first rapper to receive such a lucrative contract from the phone company.

Obama has also received the support of other hip hop artists. Nas recently put a song called "Black President" on The N---r Tape mixtape and Untitled album, and Young Jeezy has released a record called "My President Is Black" coming out on September 2, according to MTV.

Ludacris "Politics As Usual" Lyrics

I'm back on it like I just signed my record deal
Yeah the best is here, the Bentley Coup paint is dripping wet, it got sex appeal
Never should have hated, You never should've doubted him
With a slot in the president's iPod Obama shouted 'em

Said I handle my biz and I'm one of his favorite rappers
Well give Luda a special pardon if I'm ever in the slammer
Better yet put me in office, make me your vice president
Hillary hated on you, so that bitch is irrelevant

Now Jesse talking slick and apologizing for what?
If you said it then you meant it how you want it head or gut?
And all you other politicians trying to hate on my man,
watch us win majority vote in every state on my man

You can't stop what's bout to happen, we bout to make history
The first black president is destined and it's meant to be
The threats ain't fazing us, the nooses or the jokes
So get off your ass, black people, it's time to get out and vote!

Paint the White House black and I'm sure that's got 'em terrified
McCain don't belong in any chair unless he's paralyzed
Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped
Ball up all of his speeches and just throw 'em like candy wrap
'cause what you talking I hear nothing even relevant
and you the worst of all 43 presidents

Get out and vote or the end'll be near
The world is ready for change because Obama is here
'cause Obama is here
The world is ready for change because Obama is here, yeah
cuz Obama is here
Say world is ready for change because Obama is here, yeah