I transcribed the lyrics after the jump. It's a good message and the Roots are great, as always.
Here's the video...
And here are the lyrics...transcribed these myself:
Jimmy
hey, I’m Jimmy, and I wanna turn you out...to vote. which is something people all over the land are saying the democrats can no longer do.
Tariq
the democrats have a lot to fear/since they can’t run obama every year.
Jimmy
you see, as one slowly spreads apart electoral data, it becomes clear that the democrats simply don’t know how to keep their hands wrapped firmly around their base.
Tariq
republicans are disciplined and know how to win it/while democrats are electoral schizophrenics
Jimmy
but you know, I’ve spent many intimate nights, searching the web for revealing political insight. and I’ve learned that sometimes people have a change of heart. just because the electorate "likes it" one year, don’t mean they’ll "put a ring on it" the next.
Tariq
if they lose their majority in 2010/the house goes back to being all old white men.
Jimmy
the candidates from last week didn’t know how to turn the voters on. I mean support for the democrat in virginia was always flaccid, and new jersey’s governor was known for his "poor polling."
Tariq
the democrats didn’t rock the voters world/so instead of voting they watched gossip girl.
Jimmy
unlike the randy and ready republicans, people who love a big ol’ "d"...next to the name of their representative, were frigid. when young people and minorities don’t have candidates that send shivers down their spine, they stand you up.
Tariq
the democrats also suffered voter defections/they need to stiffen up their board of elections.
Jimmy
want the keys to the kingdom? then you have to arouse your voters. stimulate them. but don’t overdo it. that can cause problems too.
Tariq
the republican base ran wild and unrestricted/that’s why they lost in new york’s twenty third district.
Jimmy
oooh, that’s right. and now the same thing could happen in florida. republicans are on the verge of a purge, as they’re urged to kick governor crist to the curb.
Tariq
Jimmy...that was superb.
Jimmy
my advice. before you go plunging into your party’s grass roots, stimulate the electorate first.
Tariq
electoral stimulation....
Jimmy
spend some extra time in places you’re not used to. you gotta give some back-rubs.
Tariq
without a fresh new face to inspire/there’s nothing lighting the fiiiiiiire.
crescendo
Jimmy
the 2008 voters will come back. but you have to give them a reason to come...to the polls!
Tariq
abandon your base/and you’ll lose the race/you’ll need us again/in two thousand ten/find the best candidates/there’s no time to lose....
Jimmy
and that...is how we slow jam the news. give it up for the Roots!