Obama/Lil Wayne ‘08: The Greatest Ticket Alive?

****EXCLUSIVE: MUST CREDIT THE CREOLE-TOMATO****

METAIRIE — Could New Orleans’ very own #1 Stunna become America’s hot prospect for the #2 Commander-in-Chief?

The C-T can report on an exclusive basis that Superstar Rapper Lil Wayne was spotted at Morning Call eating beignets and smoking with Presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama and several members of his Vice-Presidental selection committee last Sunday.

(Of note: Sen. Obama did not smoke any substances, but he was seen reapplying a nicotine patch).

Neither the Obama nor the Carter camp would comment Lil Wayne’s V.P. prospects, but Obama’s press secretary Bill Burton told reporters that “Senator Obama felt that he personally had to congratulate ‘Weezy’ on his new #1 album.”

Despite the standard denials, the secret meeting has ignited speculation in the punditocracy.

“Would ‘Bam take time out of his busy schedule just for a simple congrats? Or is this a coup against Ol’ John McCain and Lil Bobby Jindal?” asked NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd on the “Today” show.

“Could the best rapper alive be a part of Obama’s 50-state strategy or a possible tit-for-tat with Kenner—a.k.a. Washington South? And what’s with that new “VP” tattoo on the right side of Lil Wayne’s neck?” wrote Peggy Noonan of The Wall-Street Journal.

Asked about the possibility of an Obama-Carter ticket during a radio interview in Des Moines, Iowa, Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) was noticably excited.

“This guy isn’t fly by night, he’s on fire,” Edwards said. “He’s still one the Hot Boys in my heart. If we could only get Baby in this.”

Cash Money Records Founder Bryan “Baby” Williams was equally effusive.

“Hell, yeah! I can hang with Edwards and ‘Bama,” said Williams. “Tha Carter ’08…Yeah, Yeah!!! This ain’t no Jimmy Carter! Sucka!”

In a statement, Former President Carter said: “Please. Leave me out of this.”

But what do voters think? In a last minute change to the latest Creole-Tomato/WWL-870/Marist Tracking Poll, respondents will be asked: “Is the best rapper alive the second best man to run the country?”

Despite the enthusiasm, some argue that it’s way too early for Wayne to start working on rhymes for his Convention speech.

“This is a trial balloon about a potentially controversial figure. Only time will tell if this dog will hold water,” said Louisiana native, political commentator, and metaphor-mixer James Carville.

“But that said, Weezy has nothing to hide about his past,” Carville added. “His hard knock life along with his rampant pot smoking has always been on full display.

“How could a resident of Hollygrove not have an essential understanding of the restoration of this city and, furthermore, this country? The answer is simple: For Sheezy.”