Former Fugee Pras Not Backing Wyclef In Haitian Presidential Bid, Slams Jet Use

NEW YORK — Wyclef Jean's presidential bid in Haiti is receiving criticism from his childhood friend and fellow Fugees bandmate, Pras.

The Haitian-born musician says he will not back Jean because he lacks a definitive plan to bring the island nation into the 21st century.

"You've got 1.2 million people living in tent city right now. What are the plans to get these people out," Pras said of the survivors of the Jan. 12 earthquake.

Pras plans to support Jean's opponent, Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly, who he said is better suited to run the country.

"He's more popular in Haiti than Wyclef," said Pras.

Jean's publicist, Leslie Chasky, didn't immediately return a telephone call Friday night seeking a response to Pras' comments.

Jean is currently regarded as the front-runner in the country's Nov. 28 election. But he has come under scrutiny since officially announcing his candidacy Thursday.

Actor Sean Penn has accused Jean of not spending enough time in Haiti after the quake and misappropriating $400,000 of the $9 million his charity, Yele Haiti, raised after the disaster. Jean told The Associated Press on Thursday: "I just want Sean Penn to fully understand I am a Haitian, born in Haiti and I've been coming to my country ever since (I was) a child."

Pras said that Jean uses a private jet for his frequent trips to Haiti and that he wonders why Jean doesn't take a commercial flight, since the money saved can help displaced families.

He added that he loves Wyclef "dearly," but he just doesn't support his policies.

Comments

[Matt Wilstein]

10:46 PM on 08/09/2010

you can watch Wyclef's first campaign video here:
http://bit.ly/b6BLLJ

[William Munny]

10:17 PM on 08/09/2010

Sorry Pras, I understand where you're coming from but if I could fly private to Haiti versus commercial I'm private all day. Wyclef has worked hard to be able to have that luxury. This doesn't mean Wyclef is any less committed to the Haitian people.

As far as Wyclef's entourage is concerned I thought he was traveling with Yele Haiti workers bringing supplies. I also know that he is going into areas that Sean Penn isn't going into. I don't see why you wouldn't travel in a good vehicle. I really don't understand these critiques.

[Bobotronix]

09:31 PM on 09/07/2010

It'd be like if Bono were running for Prime Minister in Ireland. He's a musician, he's raised money for those in need using his celebrity, but that doesn't mean he deserves to rule. Jean has no significant concrete plans, he has no idea to run a country. He's never run for office, he's never held any office. The idea of his candidacy is a joke. America would never even consider that some successful musician is the most fit citizen to rule the nation in the seat of the Presidency. We elect governors, senators and congressmen/women because they have been involved in government and more importantly that they have a record in that job that can be examined. Why has he never run for some lower office in Haiti?

Thats where Pras is coming from, so yes when he brings up the private flights, though there may be a legitimate argument for them, they are politically ugly. It's John Edwards' $400 haircut from the 2008 campaign. He's 'earned' it through his work, but people hate to see it. Jean maybe has earned his flights, but most Haitians will never even see the outside of a private jet so it could engender some jealously leading towards animosity.

[baffledinPA]

05:15 PM on 08/09/2010

Pras may sound jealous, that doesn't make him wrong. Private jet use does waste money that would make a difference in people's lives. Wyclef has not talked about a plan. Would like to know how he plans to manage a country when he has blown it with the foundation money! He may mean well, but just because you're a hot celeb doesn't mean you can lead a country in trouble. Haiti has had too many leaders that wind up hurtin' folks more than helpin', he should not join that list.

[bwright85]

04:16 PM on 08/09/2010

I see the break-up of the Fugees is still bothering Pras. Poor thing :/

[Mauricio Tovar]

03:37 PM on 08/09/2010

I come form a very poor country and it's sometimes distastefull to watch the bling/mtv crib/housewife society we live in. BUT in some of those cases I've come to understand that some people live in a bubble and haven't had real contact or experience of extreme poverty; they only know their kind of life.. In Wyclefs case; I thought for a guy from Haiti it is not the same to display on Mtv Cribs A hummer with a built-in "Shark tank" along thirty some other cars of more value on a show about bragging. Seann Penn describing Wyclef's distastefull entourage walking Haiti, was just a confirmation of my suspicion along the 400k situation with his charity. Wyclef does not trully feel for the poor because those that really do; feel awfull doing such diplay. Sean Penn DESCRIBED what he saw and says he's skeptic,as I am given the evidence. No bad mouthing really I think a lot of post do actually bad mouth, but really analize the guy. He's is "fishy" evn pras is on him

[DCSuburb]

03:24 PM on 08/09/2010

Pras sounds jealous to me.

[ThaGovna]

04:34 PM on 08/09/2010

Me thinks the same.

[Crixus]

02:42 PM on 08/09/2010

I think Wyclef heart is in the right place, he does care about his country, and he's done a lot of work for them.. I think he should stick to doing that.. but running a country??? NOT.... he does not have the experience to run a country, he is a musician .. not a politician.... so Wyclef sit it down please.. stick to charity work.

[ladydragon]

07:33 AM on 08/10/2010

Crixus: Ronnie Ray-gun was a horrible class B actor, his wife was running this country, what's your point?

[yemaya]

09:05 AM on 08/10/2010

If the Haitian people are willing to vote for him, why not? They've had insiders ruling their country and that has never worked. Perhaps an American raised Haitian may help them go forward. Who knows? Stranger things have happened.....

[Larry Starr]

01:06 PM on 08/09/2010

Sounds like Pras is upset because he was beat to the punch and was left out of the loop.

[Holypat777]

11:29 AM on 08/09/2010

I think Roman Moronie from the film "Johnny Dangerously" would be perfect to run for the presidency of Haiti:

"Citizens of Haiti,

For years you have been at the mercy of decietful bastiges. From fargan war, to fargan natural distaters and every fargan thing in between. If elected president, my first order of business is to make every fargan sumononbache who wronged you pay! We will bleed every fargan cent from those iceholes and rebuild Haiti as the most beautiful fargan place in the world. Everyone will be happy and the other countries will say: Wow, did you see what Moronie did with Haiti?That was fargan amazing!

[yemaya]

09:05 AM on 08/10/2010

Iceholes!

[ladydragon]

11:24 AM on 08/09/2010

I don't know whether Wyclef is qualified to Preside over Haiti or not, my problem is with Sean Penn thinking it's HIS place to say who should run for an office in a country that he does not belong to and has no connection to. Please don't misunderstand, I am quite sure the people of Haiti appreciate his helping hand in their time of need, But that does not give him the right to say who their leaders should be. White people picked Clarence Thomas for us and look how that turned out!

[avam2009]

12:35 PM on 08/09/2010

Yep. Sean Penn is annoying beyond all belief. There was a good take on this (by actual aid workers/specialists working in Haiti a few months back) see:

http://talesfromethehood.wordpress.com/2010/05/11/we-cannot-abandon-haiti/

I think that it was summed up best by the great parody of him by the South Park guys some years back.

He certainly has his heart in the right place - and for that, of course, it is good - but as the great blog "Good intentions are Not enough" - see link here http://goodintentionsarenotenough.com/ - points out....good intentions Are Not enough. You have to actually know what the hell you're talking about to affect real, substantial change and most importantly, Positive change. Especially in the extremely complex and constantly changing arena of international development (incl state development).

Plus, he has No sense of humour/lightness about himself - a dangerous trait I always think in people seeking positions of power.

[yemaya]

09:06 AM on 08/10/2010

everybody is entitled to their opinion. I admire folks who speak out more than those who stay silent.

[Ty LaRue]

10:11 AM on 08/09/2010

I wonder why he think he is qualified to run Haiti, I understand he has been doing things for his home country for a long time but that doesn't make you qualified to lead a nation.

[snykerdoodle]

09:55 AM on 08/09/2010

But seriously, does anyone have a definitive plan to bring Haiti into the 21st century? They need more than celebrity status; at the very least they need honest, non-corrupt politicians, but those are very hard to come by.

[Giveadamn]

08:54 AM on 08/09/2010

Watching Mr.Jean arrive in Haiti in a private jet, accompanied by an entourage, said more about him, than I ever want to know.

[Staxx]

03:41 AM on 08/09/2010

I still think Wyclef should learn to speak English or French first. His English is at the grade level, his French is non-existent, even his creole is not up to Haitian level.

[Globez]

01:47 AM on 08/09/2010

Pras is entitled to his opinion even though i disagree... Wyclef could do very well given he has the right intentions..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ky3yraY1QM

[CraiginPhoenix]

02:14 AM on 08/09/2010

That is the problem.

What are his intentions?

Haiti is a disaster in desperate need of a strong capable leader, and not a rap star who wants to be President.

[pebblesvanpeebles]

07:06 AM on 08/09/2010

Once an embezzler, always an embezzler. No one in their right minds knowingly votes one into office.