Vice President Al Gore
Gore 2000
2410 Charlotte Ave.
Nashville, TN 37203

Dear Mr. Gore:

In lieu of cash, please accept my cassette copy of Eric B. & Rakim's 1988 classic, "Follow the Leader." Rap is infinitely more entertaining and laconic than conventional campaign discourse. But do it well or not at all. Remember Lamar Alexander's ragtime band? Almost as bad as the flannels. Here are some lyrics:

I'm to the left y'all
I'm to the right y'all
I'm to the center of the left of the right
And I got the mic y'all

I got the mad phat legislative skills
I ain't passin no campaign finance reformin bills
Cause the DLC is down with OPP
that's gonna finance me to beat the GOP

I be a crafta of NAFTA
And the unions still write me checks cause they hafta
So all you lefty crusaders can all vote for Ralph Nader,
Or just write in "Darth Vader," while I clock mad paper

I'm the A-L-G-O-R-E,
From Tennessee
Not a cracker, not a Yalie frat boy slacker
At Harvard I wasn't floppin, the Democratic Party I be rockin'
I ain't frontin', they say my party stands for nothin'

So here's two things you can bet:
We really like trees and I invented the Internet.

Study Naughty By Nature's first two albums and any Public Enemy you can get your hands on. Do not, under any circumstances, use a human beat box, you don't have the street cred. I look forward to hearing the final product in Los Angeles.

Sincerely,
Kenneth H. Cleaver

Al Gore responds:

Oct. 3, 2000

Kenneth H. Cleaver
P.O. Box 810
Bedford, NY 10506

Dear Kenneth:

Thank you so much for the song, "Follow the Leader," and your lyrics that you sent to me. I appreciate you taking the time to remember me in this way.

Over the coming months we will face many challenges, but I am confident that together we will win this campaign and make a positive difference for America. We can and will lift up our children, make our streets safer, and fuel the economy while building a lasting prosperity that leaves no one behind.

I am truly impressed with the generosity and thoughtfulness of the American people. Your personal support of me is what encourages me to work hard for positive change in our country. Through your show of support I realize that together, we will make the 21st century the brightest time our nation has ever seen.

Again, thank you for your generosity. I wish you all the best in the future.

Sincerely,
Al Gore

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