Obama's Celebrity Status

Obama's Celebrity Status

Thursday, July 31, 2008

filed under: viral videos

Guest blogger PoliticalDad on McCain's ad comparing Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton and the mudslinging strategy that was always in place.

Ooops! He did it again.

Last night, while watching CNN and feeding the baby, I caught Paris Hilton and Britney Spears engulfed in sea of paparazzi flashbulbs. I have to admit my first thought was, Oh God! What'd they do now? But then a ominous voice-over asked, "He's the biggest celebrity in the world...but is he ready to lead?" The television spot cut to images of Barack Obama before a crowd of 200,000 in Germany, and then it all came together. Unbelievably, I was watching a nasty political ad by John McCain. My second thought: Oh God, Senator! What did you do?!

Talk about going negative early. There's more than a 100 days left until the ballots are cast and he's already bringing out Britney? Besides, I thought she was getting her act together.

I guess the thing that bothers me the most about all this is that I used to respect Senator McCain. I thought his work on campaign finance reform was important. I believed him when he promised to run a "respectful" campaign. Sadly, this looks like it's going to be a trend. Days before, McCain ran another commercial, blasting Obama for not visiting the troops in Germany (see below). Obama decided not to go, because the Pentagon warned him the visit would be perceived as political. And now it turns out, Businessweek is reporting, "according to one GOP strategist I spoke with over the weekend...they had an ad script ready to go if Obama had visited the wounded troops saying that Obama was...wait for it...using wounded troops as campaign props. So, no matter which way Obama turned, McCain had an Obama-bashing ad ready to launch." So much for a new kind of politics.

Do you know who else must be disappointed? Paris' parents. According to the Federal Election Commission, they contributed $4,600 to the McCain campaign. That's a lot of dough to have someone take a pot shot at your daughter.

In Iowa today, Obama addressed the ad. "Given the seriousness of the issues; given the fact that the decisions we make right now are going to help determine the future not just of the next generation but perhaps generations after that; given the magnitude of our challenges when it comes to energy and health care and jobs and our foreign policy, you'd think we'd been having a serious debate. But so far, all we've been hearing about is Paris Hilton and Britney Spears." Snap.

What do you think of this ad?

5 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

I also found this ad jarring.

- Anonymous

Posted 08/01/08 12:29 AM

I think McCain has to go negative because the media is so in the tank for Obama he has no choice. What I find disturbing is Obama continually bringing race into this election, all the while accusing everyone else of doing it. Color me unimpressed with the Rock Star.

- Anonymous

Posted 08/01/08 05:59 AM

I am from Iowa and I am not voting for Obama. I think the ad is correct. Obama can talk and is very, very good at it, but its all fluff and BS. He might be the best at working a crowd, but I don’t think that he can be our next President. He does not have the experience to lead this nation. Its like hiring a 30 year old CEO for a centuries old company- Everyone might like him, but he is just not right for the job… Who wants to live with that kind of gamble?

- Anonymous

Posted 08/01/08 09:36 AM

Let us recount..The CEOs of Ford, GM and Chrysler are all over 30. Compare the CEOs of Google and the like…OVER 30 when they started?? Who is losing billions..who is making money. Then take a look at the corporate policy of many companies..forced retirement at 62.They must have reasons. We have had for the last seven years an international fire..McCain is useing failed ideas..he is an old fireman with old ideas..I’ll take a chance on youth.

- marvin saltzman

Posted 08/01/08 03:23 PM

I’d take a chance on youth with experience but Obama has little. Plus all this talk of change and not really saying what he means. Plus his associations with some really disturbing individuals should give everyone pause. Bill Ayers for one. Rev. Wright too. No thanks. There is a new ad about about Obama that is hilarious as it uses Obama’s own words where he sounds like he thinks he is the Messiah. His words are almost creepy. This kind of arrogance has even Letterman making jokes. Maybe that’s why he’s tied in the polls after all their efforts overseas.

- Anonymous

Posted 08/01/08 05:40 PM