Marion Barry announced yesterday that he would be leaving his job as Ward 8 council member to begin training for next year's "American Idol" competition.
"I have skills," Barry said in a press conference. "I shouldn't deny the people my voice."
Barry said he could win the competition easily, since as the former mayor of D.C. he is an international symbol as well as American idol.
"Who is more of an American idol?" he said. "I smoked crack, slept with a prostitute and then got re-elected, everyone wishes they could do that. And who's my competition anyway? Cracker Aiken?"
When asked about how his age and poor health would affect his musical pursuits, Barry began moonwalking across the stage.
"See that? I may be 69 but I can dance better than Michael Jackson," he said. "And my sex scandals are much tamer."
"He really has a special aura, like a shooting star with dancing unicorns on it," "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul said. "He may be just what this competition needs."
Barry said he'll be singing an original song for his audition, called "Bitch Set Me Up."
"It's got some Latin flavor, and an awesome rap solo," he said. "I'll give you a little sample. Yeah I smoke crack, but I'll still come back, It's a Barry attack."
After hearing Barry's rap skills, Simon Cowell said he should stick with politics.
"I mean really, it was like a turtle with leprosy," Cowell remarked. "Absolutely dreadful, he has no place in this competition."
"Simon Cowell is a racist," Barry said in an interview. "I'm an amazing singer, my rapping is revolutionary, and I'm humble too"
