Ludacris for President 2012?

ABC News' Kristina Wong reports:

Ludacris 2012?

Not likely, the rapper and actorsays. But with that said, he did come to Washington to campaign.

Rapper Christopher Brian Bridges, better known as “Ludacris,” came to Washington, D.C. this weekend to promote his philanthropic organization, the Ludacris Foundation, which aims to help underserved children and communities in the U.S. and in some places around the world.

Tonight the foundation will host its annual benefit dinner in Washington for the first time, to fundraise and honor its award recipients for community service, includingRep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif.

Speaking to an audience at the National Press Club, the rapper joked about his appearance there today.

“Why would I come here? Why would they invite me here? What would Ludacris have to say?” he asked.

“Running for president in 2012? I'm here to let you know you don't have to worry about that.”

Instead, Bridges called for a new type of “apolitical” leadership in solving problems plaguing American communities today.

“In today's world, we have new issues and challenges. The old way of looking at the issues and challenges have not rendered the outcomes we want,” he said.

“Logical thinking, while necessary, is not sufficient,” he added. “We need lateral thinking outside our current frame of reference. We need a new type of leadership.”

Bridges cited the need for everyone to help underserved children and communities, not just government.

For example, Bridges spoke about how he and rapper “T.I.” raised $80,000 in eight hours, just by calling up friends and colleagues in the “hip hop community.”

In addition, his foundation raised $100,000 for families affected by flooding in his hometown of Atlanta. His foundation has also donated cars to 20 people designated most-in-need from the 5,000 letters it received.

“Some people have started calling me 'Luda-FEMA,'” he joked.

Bridges may seem like an unlikely philanthropist or role model for underprivileged children. His songs, including the infamously titled “Move B****,” often feature explicit lyrics about drinking, violence and women that are unsuitable for children. But Bridges said people should keep in mind that music is a form of art and entertainment, and there are “other sides of Ludacris.”

The rapper said he wrote his first song at 9 and was a good student. Math and English were his best subjects and historywas his worst.

He attributed his philanthropic side to his mother and his love of music to his father, who would play music early in the mornings when he was waking up. He also attributed his drive to his mother, who he said would give him extra homework and make him write his goals down every year as a child — lessons he wants to impart to children.

“Treat people who they ought to be, and they will become who they are capable of being,” he said.

During the 2008 elections, Bridges rapped critically about former President Bush, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

But his message to President Obama?

“Under the circumstances, you're doing a great job,” he told ABC News.

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Tags: 2012, Ludacris, President

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