Obama tries to turn 'celebrity' label on McCain

[Mark E. Smith]

Source: AP

HONOLULU (AP) - 2 hours ago

Then, Republicans charged that Democratic nominee John Kerry was a flip-flopper on a
number of issues. This year's presidential campaign has brought similar charges and
counter-charges between the Republican and Democratic camps.

But the harshest cut-down in politics these days apparently is "celebrity" and in a
television ad out Monday, Democrat Barack Obama is trying to pin the label on GOP
presidential rival John McCain.

(Later ..)

In Obama's response, titled 'Embrace" and released while he's on vacation in Hawaii, his
campaign tries to use the word to paint McCain as the consummate political insider.

"For decades, he's been Washington's biggest celebrity," the announcer says, cutting to a
"Saturday Night Live" introduction of the Arizona Republican during an appearance on the
show.

The ad then shows footage of McCain hugging President Bush.

Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jEs_MTJD-Gzvb5hksDWUuvnzSDJAD92G1PLO0

[radfringe]

1. screw that - make it simpler

If you like what's going on - vote for mccain

or

McCain. 4 more years of stupid.

[Kolesar]

2. Sherrod Brown sewed George Bush's ass to Mike Dewine's face

with ads like this and took the Senate seat with a 12 point victory margin.

There was this ad with the children's song:

the more we work together, together, together
the more we work together, the happier we'll be

The Brown campaign showed images of Dewine smiling and embracing bush. Kick ass.

[maseman]

7. I loved that commercial

It was simply and to the point. Plus a catchy tune. Very effective.

[OhioBlue]

13. That commercial was brilliant!!!!

The song got stuck in your head and then you couldn't get that pic of DeWine with Bush out of your head.

My SIL went grocery shopping during the '06 primary and she heard a little kid in the next aisle singing that song. She thought "omg - they're singing the Sherrod Brown commercial" she kept shopping and a couple of seconds later, my niece (then 5) out of nowhere just started singing the song too - the tune was infectious - painted DeWine like a little kid that took his orders from Bush too - which went along with how Sherrod seemed to successfully frame DeWine in the debates - as a little kid.

[msanthrope]

3. He's not a Celebrity--He's a Starfucker..... n/t

[truthisfreedom]

4. Not bad. I'd like to see it.

[Mark E. Smith]

8. Here it is ..

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/embrace_ad

[Trajan]

5. I wish he would just counter EVERY ad

point by point ...

The silly assertions by the Right Wing should be exposed for the lies they are ...

I am not seeing it from the Obama camp ....

[JNelson6563]

18. no, that's letting THEM frame the discussion

Answer a few but the rest of the ads need to be about what Obama wants to do.

Julie

[depakid]

27. It is- but not for the reasons that you intimate

The ads need to focus on McCain and tie him to failed policies and unpopular frames and entities, thereby creating the narrative that he's McSame- every bit corrupt and inept as the current crop of Republicans in Washington.

If the election is a referendum about that- as opposed to a referendum on Obama, chances are the Dems win this year.

[Trajan]

32. I think you are wrong, and here is why ...

I didn't limit such ads to ONLY responding to attacks, but to SLAM the attacks on an ongoing basis, and ALSO buy time to promote Obama's agenda as well ....

Not one or the other, but BOTH avenues of attack ....

I find it quite disheartening to hear the cheap attacks that are obvious lies go unanswered ... THAT is what will define him, if he allows it ....

Kerry ignored the Swiftwarses to his detriment ...

Attack these bastards from ALL sides, and do not relent ....

[Auggie]

6. What hypocrisy. They're both celebrities. That's how they got nominated.

It's a huge non-issue. The very mention of it makes me ill.

[yodermon]

12. au contraire. This ad is just using the buzzword "celebrity" to get attention.

and to make sure the MSM covers it. The actual substance of the ad is to attach McCain to Bush, intimately, which is what we've all been screaming for him to do more of.

McCain's original "celebrity" ad was a complete nonsensical non-sequitur.

"celebrity" is the current "hook", so Obama used it, then pivoted.

more on this: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/207869.php

[starroute]

22. Actually, McCain is a celebrity in a very real sense

He came back from Vietnam and was instantly famous and got to hang out with the rich and powerful -- and he's been milking that for all it's worth ever since. His celebrity has been the most notable thing about him ever since -- for all his years in Congress, I can't recall his name ever being attached to anything significant except McCain-Feingold, which he's been doing his best to crap over now. If anybody was ever famous for being famous, that's McCain.

[zanne]

23. I hope it's covered by the MSM...

As much as the original "Celebrity" ad was covered. It's free advertising.

[LiberalFighter]

24. Intimately? Hmmm

How about exchanging wedding vows? Change a few words or stress them.

for better or WORSE (our country)
for RICHER (only), for poorer (not in a million years)
in sickness (I don't have time) only while healthy

[Divine Discontent]

20. I thought it was poorly done also

this looks like an ad one of us non-professionals would do. I think they make the whole thing sound important that who is a "celebrity" should be noted with contempt and mistrust. I was like, ugh, no, bad commercial, because Obama is clearly the much more beloved media figure, trying to make McCain sound like the bad celeb-wannabe is just ridiculous. I hope that commercial gets little air time with all those hard earned donations.

Attack McSame on the issues, or talk about Obama's strengths, don't mess around with this silly petty celeb BS...

BAD idea.

www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable

[Kire]

9. go recommend it in the Political videos forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x168250

[Hokie]

10. To the greatest page you go (NT)

[mopinko]

11. beautiful as always

kickitty

:kick

:kick:

:kick:

:kick:

[blogslut]

14. Tries?

Nice, slanty headline there, AP.

[w4rma]

16. Democrats "try". Republicans "do". That is how the AP editors think. (nt)

[HEyHEY]

28. It's not slanty at all

He is trying

[Indenturedebtor]

15. Very good. Though the bit with Bushy should have been slow-mo'd n/t

[drm604]

17. K&R I've been hoping they'd put out some shots of McCain hugging Bush.

K&R

[tinrobot]

19. How about: "If you like Bush, you'll LOVE MC Cain"

Keep it simple and drape that albatross around the old geezer's neck.

[kegler14]

21. Yeah, that's the most important issue,

who is the biggest celebrity. McCain started it, but this is empty silliness.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

25. How about when McCain posed as a song and dance man

"Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran"?

[montanto]

26. I don't like it.

He could have said it differently knowing how eloquent he is. I hate to see him stoop even a little toward McCain's level. I want to see him roll over McCain from on high, without even responding to the lunacy of his opponent, much less using any of his blunt weapons.

Ad Hominem attacks are for republicans, not us. JMHO.

[merwin]

31. Why not use both?

Speak eloquently about it, as he did. Then release a counter-attack ad. This is useful because you're hitting the couch potatoes that watch sitcoms but not speeches.

I don't think a counter-attack is a bad thing. I won't initiate a low-blow fight, but if someone kicks me in the balls, I kick right back.

[Hope And Change]

29. K & R!

[merwin]

30. 2 words.

Fucking Awesome.

Now, one criticism to point out... When he talks about McCain going to the right, then the left, it's actually backwards. When he says right, he's going to the left, and visa versa.