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Randy Newman is 'dreaming of a white president' in new song (Video)

Get more: Music
09/18/2012 by Corinne Heller

Famed composer and singer Randy Newman has released a free song to raise awareness about racism in the United States, less than two months before Barack Obama, the country's first half-black president, faces off against Republican leader Mitt Romney in the 2012 election.

Newman, who is white himself and known for his satirical songs and his music for Disney-Pixar movies, posted a clip of his new song, "I'm Dreaming," which contains the line "I'm dreaming of a white president," on his website on September 18. The video depicts images of former white presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln and George W. Bush, the U.S. leader who preceeded Obama.

"No other Western industrialized nation would've elected a black president," said Newman, 68. "I'm proud of this country for having elected Obama in 2008. But from the beginning of his term, I noticed a particular heat to conversations that wouldn't ordinarily generate that kind of passion: The budget, appointments, health care."

"I think there are a lot of people who find it jarring to have a black man in the White House and they want him out," he added. "They just can't believe that there's not a more qualified white man. You won't get anyone, and I do mean anyone, to admit it."

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 48 percent of likely voters favor the president and Democratic leader and 43 percent prefer Romney, who is white.

Newman also states that while his song is offered for free, "anyone wishing to contribute is encouraged to donate to the United Negro College Fund at www.uncf.org."

The singer donated at least $2,300 to Obama's campaign when he first ran for president in 2008. The president's re-election campaign has drawn support from celebrities such as Snoop Lion - formerly Snoop Dogg, Scarlett Johansson and Kerry Washington, who appeared at the Democratic National Convention earlier this month (watch videos of their speeches). The upcoming presidential vote takes place on November 6.

Newman, an Oscar, Emmy and Grammy winner, released the satirical hits "Short People," "Rednecks" and "Sail Away," which is about an American slave trader, in the 1970s.

"I often write songs in character. You can't always trust or believe the narrators in my songs. So why listen? Good question. Anyway the guy in this song may exist somewhere," Newman said about his newest track. "Let's hope not. Vote in November."

In recent years, Newman scored Disney-Pixar's films "Toy Story" and its sequels, "Monsters, Inc.," "A Bug's Life" and "Cars" and also wrote the songs in "Three Amigos." He provided the voice of The Singing Bush in the cult 1986 comedy film.

(Check out which celebrities are Democrats and which are Republican.)

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