Chicago-based rapper/actor Common attended the Evening of Poetry event at The White House on Wednesday night, and several big-name Republicans,  including Sarah Palin and ex-Bush staffer Karl Rove, are up in arms.  

The invite extended to the artist, who's real name is Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. raised some eyebrows in light of his past lyrics condemning authority figures such as police and former President George W. Bush.

For example, in a 2007 passage, the rapper (who dated Serena Williams last year) urges his fan base to "Burn a Bush."