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Paris Hilton Strikes Back

Go Paris! Here's the video TChris mentioned earlier.

Paris responds to John McCain's using her in a celebrity ad. Shorter version: She's got her own energy plan and she'll see us in the White House.

Update: The video has been removed from You Tube and substituted with the above censored version that blanks out the word "b*tches.

I like Paris Hilton. I defended her plenty on TalkLeft during her last brush with the law. (Scroll down for the almost daily posts on the raw deal she got. I even live-blogged her court hearings. Graphic here. )

This is an open thread.

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  • Display: Sort:
    Now that (5.00 / 3) (#1)
    by americanincanada on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:17:36 PM EST
    made me laugh out loud.

    Why is it that her energy policy has more substance than either of the other two? Perhaps she should be running.

    ETA: This does NOT help Obama.

    I loved that she had that (5.00 / 5) (#4)
    by Grace on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:27:17 PM EST
    wonky-sounding energy policy in the middle of the whole thing.  Maybe she'd be a good VP?  ;-)

    Parent
    I just want to know... (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by p lukasiak on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:33:57 PM EST
    how many takes it took for her to get the wonk segment right...

    Parent
    Paris - Looking and speaking great in her own ad (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by bridget on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:01:34 PM EST
    is the best revenge -

    I don't hear any hemming and hawing and that is music to my ears for a change ;-)

    Parent

    I thought of that as well. (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by weltec2 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:00:23 PM EST
    In many ways she would be perfect for Obama, but then what would happen if Obama died. I could see her becoming just another Ronald Reagan. After all they are (or in the case of Reagan "were") both equally good actors, equally intelligent, and equally capable of reading other people's speeches.

    Parent
    Paris ad a stroke of genius. (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by ghost2 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:56:10 PM EST
    TNR Planck has a point which I admit I hadn't noticed.  

    Paris's new ad is very likely to get people talking about energy policy.  Don't be surprised to hear "Paris Hilton Energy Policy" from now on.

    Paris may have accomplished what Obama's campaign and McCain campaign didn't and perhaps cleverly avoided (each for reasons of their own): get the public seriously talking about an issue.

    Now, is the Paris new ad a bonus for McCain (celebrity issue) or for Obama (energy issue)? We shall see!

    Parent

    I think she cribbed it from Hillary (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Roz on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:36:57 PM EST
    I agree, this doesn't help Obama move on. McCain probably thinks its funny. And it gives his The One theme more mileage.

    Parent
    If I were McCain (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Polkan on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:48:37 PM EST
    I would pay airtime to put this on MSM.

    This video reinforces everything he was trying to say with "Celeb".

    This can energize his base like nothing else.

    It makes a total joke of Obama's "Energy Week".

    I would cut a commercial off of this to keep pouncing. Let Obama debate his policy with Hilton.

    Push for Hilton as VP.

    Use it in the first debate.

    Unleash the surrogates.

    What can Obama do if something like that happens?

    It sure looks like the Celebrity meme stuck.

    Parent

    I think it reinforces (5.00 / 0) (#24)
    by byteb on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:58:51 PM EST
    that he's the 'oldest celebrity in the world'..a la Larry King and the Crypt Keeper

    Parent
    McCain camp responds: (5.00 / 3) (#54)
    by ghost2 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:33:53 PM EST
    Here:

    In the unkindest cut of all, McCain's spokesperson Tucker Bounds tells TMZ that on the subject of energy, Paris is deeper than Barack. He says, "Sounds like Paris is taking the 'All of the Above' energy approach that John McCain has advocated -- both alternatives and drilling. Perhaps the reality is that Paris has a more substantive energy plan than Barack Obama."

    The Daily Show's take on the Paris ad, and on Bob Herbert's over the top reaction is also funny.

    Parent

    I agree this (none / 0) (#80)
    by Andy08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:17:58 PM EST
    does NOT help Obama..... She's far too rehersed and her whole appearance is just sooo removed from what people relate to that  just reinforces the "People Magazine" Celeb look and it throws it right back to Obama
    again but with an even more superficial and silly aspect.

    It keeps the Celeb ad alive and making the point of it more poignant.

    Not good for someone that needs to return to message....If I would have to bet I'd say McCain is laughing hard.

    Parent

    I must be missing something here (5.00 / 1) (#119)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:49:46 PM EST
    How does making McCain look even ditzier and shallower than Hilton, whom he mocked for those very qualities, help him?

    Wouldn't it be in McCain's interest to look like he can figure out what day it is or which way is west?  Some of the comments suggest that Obama is right, and that nutwingers take pride in their ignorance.  They certainly enjoy seeing their man display his.

    Obama has to be laughing his a$$ off right now at the blowback on McCain's moronic ad.

    Parent

    that people magazine celeb look (5.00 / 2) (#121)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:00:12 AM EST
    is something the majority of voters relate to. Millions more Americans read People than blogs. We are a superficial electorate. Looks matter, celebrity sells. I don't think either McCain or Obama score a point on this one. The only winner is Paris. She'll become more popular and get to up her fees for attending the next party.

    She could even get a paid invite to the conventions out of this. You do know that's how she makes her millions every year, aside from her clothing line and other businesses -- she gets paid big dollars to go to parties and events. Read up on her a little.


    Parent

    Agree completely (none / 0) (#128)
    by sj on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:59:34 AM EST
    They were both skewered.  Very skillfully.  As skillfully as she plays vapid.

    Parent
    playing vapid (none / 0) (#132)
    by weltec2 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 02:08:57 AM EST
    She does that very well. To what degree it is real or purely a performance, we will never know, but it certainly is paying off for her.

    Parent
    Paris received at least a million $$$ for the show (none / 0) (#141)
    by bridget on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 06:37:33 PM EST
    she did with Nicole Ritchie, probably much more

    that hamburger commercial she did was a real humdinger and very much liked by everyone in my family cause it was plain HOT ;-) Paris does look amazing.

    she is also in fashion mag ads all the time

    in short, she makes plenty of money on her own.  
    Somehow the Paris haters don't want to admit that she is making a darn good living all by herself.

    Parent

    Hilton smacked both of them (5.00 / 1) (#124)
    by waldenpond on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:07:16 AM EST
    Her 'plan' is a combination of both.  Hilton actually spoke better than both candidates.  It did go after McCain more but so what?  The McCain camp had a snappy comeback.  Obama camp was not responsive (not happy) he is NOT laughing when he should be.

    This video makes even more of a media spectacle of the campaign.  That meme is not good for Obama.

    So one camp has a sense of humor the other doesn't and Celebrity is still in the media.  How is that good for Obama?

    Parent

    Up is the new down (5.00 / 1) (#136)
    by Repack Rider on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 10:29:56 AM EST
    This video makes even more of a media spectacle of the campaign.  That meme is not good for Obama.

    Some people here keep saying that making McCain look older than dirt and shallow is somehow bad for Obama.

    I supposed being elected to the presidency would be "bad for Obama" then, because everything that hurts McCain is "bad for Obama."

    Parent

    No, it isn't going to help Obama (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by shoephone on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:39:28 PM EST
    And it isn't intended to. The video was produced by the Hilton family on behalf of the Hilton family, intended to benefit... Paris Hilton, who needs media exposure for survival the way most of us need air to breathe. Is there any other intended result?

    Sorry Jeralyn. I admit I really don't get it. If you like her, then you like her. I think she is a self-absorbed twit of the first degree and don't expect that to change anytime soon. But hey, I didn't think that her DUI was funny either. I must be really out of the coolness loop.

    Parent

    You gotta admit tho.... (5.00 / 4) (#49)
    by oldpro on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:27:47 PM EST
    she's cute.

    Like, totally!

    Parent

    LOL (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by Angel on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:41:01 PM EST
    Its not a good day when Paris seems smarter (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by ig on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:03:59 PM EST
    How does it (4.25 / 4) (#11)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:44:32 PM EST
    hurt Obama for Hilton to make a laughingstock of McCain?

    The girl who is the poster child for "ditzy" makes JSM look like an idiot.  And that HURTS Obama?

    How?

    I can see the next phase.  Paris and McCain compare their sugar mamas.

    This is delicious.

    Parent

    "He is the oldest celebrity... (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by byteb on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:53:59 PM EST
    in the world."
    Followed by comical examples of just how old McCain is complete with pictures of Larry King and the Crypt Keeper.
    I thought it was a lovely smack down of 'the oldest celebrity in the world', John McCain.

    Parent
    Psst in some quarters (5.00 / 3) (#22)
    by Molly Bloom on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:56:43 PM EST
    the sun shinning hurts Obama.

    Parent
    Considering Obama flipped on drilling (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by angie on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:50:52 PM EST
    and McCain has actually advocated for both drilling & development of new technologies, I don't see how it makes McCain a laughing stock.
    McCain isn't the one getting "huge rock star" crowds (i.e., he isn't a "celeb"), so the "oldest celeb in the world" part just falls flat (besides, it isn't true -- Keith Richards is the oldest celeb in the world).

    Parent
    McCain was against off shore drilling (none / 0) (#105)
    by byteb on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:59:25 PM EST
    for many years until recently.

    Parent
    He didn't flip in the course of one week (none / 0) (#109)
    by angie on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:03:55 PM EST
    though did he? People are allowed to change their opinions as circumstances change. The "average Joe" can understand and/or believe that. Changing your opinion for politically expediency doesn't go down quite as well.

    Parent
    well, yes, he did. (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by byteb on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:26:24 PM EST
    after being staunchly against off shore drilling for many, many years, in mid-June he did a complete about face and became staunchly FOR off shore drilling..a week or so thereafter, McCain received multiple large donations from oil company executives. Serendipity? I think not.

    Parent
    Because McCain will play along (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by Roz on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:04:17 AM EST
    with the joke. He can do self-deprecating. He's already done lampooned himself on late night TV. Obama's more defensive, he bristles and takes umbrage.

    I think it also may inadvertently mock Obama's big energy speech, or can at least be used to do so.

    America sees Paris Hilton as spoiled and vacuous and the ultimate celebrity (in the pejorative sense). I don't think McCain's campaign will mind any additional association between Obama and Paris this ad will create in voters minds.

    Parent

    McCain has already made a ton of (5.00 / 1) (#126)
    by Grace on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:24:12 AM EST
    jokes about how old he is so calling him old isn't going to hurt his feelings.  

    I'm sure Paris did this for the publicity.  From what I read today, she's not even in this country right now so she probably isn't catching all the hoopla over this.  I'll bet her publicist or her mother called her and arranged the whole video response.  She's pretty good at poking fun at herself too.  
     

    Parent

    I loved her ad! (5.00 / 7) (#3)
    by Grace on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:25:30 PM EST
    That was hysterical!  

    The McCain campaign already issued a response:

    McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds issued this response: "It sounds like Paris Hilton supports John McCain's `all of the above' approach to America's energy crisis - including both alternatives and drilling. Paris Hilton might not be as big a celebrity as Barack Obama, but she obviously has a better energy plan."




    Omg (5.00 / 7) (#13)
    by Valhalla on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:46:44 PM EST
    That quote is hilarious!

    Parent
    Paris is Hot, I am bridget and I approve this (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by bridget on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:49:38 PM EST
    message, too ;-)

    You go, Paris! Loved it.

    I also defended her plenty, Jeralyn. Before, during, and after she got that raw deal. My goodness, hauling her to prison twice, how cruel and what a disgrace!

    Thanks to Paris all these TV talking heads and magazines made plenty of money gossiping about her in the most unkind fashion most of the time ...

    I always thought there was something seriously wrong with all these Paris haters (jealous much?). Sort of reminds me of the Clinton haters come to think of it ...

     

    Parent

    It's humorous for sure....and I don't even (4.12 / 8) (#60)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:39:57 PM EST
    like Hilton.  Surprisingly she was very articulate....was she using a teleprompter. :)
    Looking through the comments, looks like some pro-obamas didn't get their naps today.  

    Parent
    As opposed to the anti-Obamas... (none / 0) (#118)
    by Thanin on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:48:59 PM EST
    who get their naps everytime they watch McSame.

    Parent
    Didn't take a side (5.00 / 6) (#19)
    by waldenpond on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:52:36 PM EST
    good job by her.  McCain camp good response.  Just need Obama's.  Humor all around, nice approach for the summer.

    Parent
    Since Hillary dropped out, (5.00 / 6) (#27)
    by Grace on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:02:00 PM EST
    The Democrats seem pretty humorless all around.  (Hillary had a good sense of humor.  That's how she got on SNL, etc. so many times!)

    Parent
    Indeed, Obama (none / 0) (#102)
    by Andy08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:54:06 PM EST
    needs to learn some self-deprecating humor...


    Parent
    Obama camp has refrained (5.00 / 9) (#37)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:13:36 PM EST
    from comment -- "sternly refrained," in one story I read, whatever the reporter meant by that word choice.

    Another great opportunity missed.  I've said here before that they need to get a sense of humor.  It can be so winning, literally -- that's how, with a funny ad here, Feingold first got elected.  (That it was not quite true and seamy in how it was made is another story. . . .)

    Parent

    Totally agree with you. Sense of humor badly (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by bridget on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:18:18 PM EST
    needed for Obama and for the Obama camp.

    Parent
    Have you noticed how few times (5.00 / 3) (#46)
    by Grace on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:25:21 PM EST
    Obama has been on SNL?  I can only recall one time and he played himself and wasn't really given any funny lines.  

    Meanwhile Hillary and McCain were both on there more than once....

    I've heard some of Obama's jokes and while cute, they weren't really LOL funny.  

    Parent

    ITA - Obama needs a script to appear funny (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by bridget on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:34:26 PM EST
    I noticed How difficult it was for him to show sense of humor during the debates.

    Parent
    Yes! (3.00 / 2) (#55)
    by byteb on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:34:07 PM EST
    Because an important criteria for President is how many times one appears on SNL.

    Parent
    "Sternly refrained" (5.00 / 4) (#79)
    by Valhalla on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:13:09 PM EST
    Lol.  That's like the real motto of the Dem leadership: "Democrats: We Are the Party of Stern!"

    Parent
    We are (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by Grace on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:25:45 PM EST
    Nuns with Rulers.  

    Parent
    And almost as much fun (none / 0) (#97)
    by RalphB on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:50:23 PM EST
    as Nuns with rulers.

    Parent
    Yes, remember "stern letters" (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:22:54 PM EST
    from Sister Mary Pelosi to superdelegates to get rid of Obama's competition again?  

    Parent
    OMG (4.00 / 3) (#23)
    by byteb on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:57:03 PM EST
    John McCain is actually responding to a Paris Hilton
    video?

    Doesn't he have more important things to do?

    Parent

    Sure! (5.00 / 2) (#78)
    by Politalkix on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:12:30 PM EST
    John McCain is actually responding to a Paris Hilton
    video?
    Doesn't he have more important things to do?

    Like have town hall debates with Paris Hilton? OMG! :-)


    Parent

    That's a wonderful idea. (5.00 / 2) (#84)
    by weltec2 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:26:24 PM EST
    Since Obama has refused to have small townhall debates with McCain, McCain should have a series of debates with Paris Hilton. McCain would steal away the college kid vote that Obama won the primary with. :-

    Parent
    Yes, (5.00 / 2) (#100)
    by Politalkix on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:52:38 PM EST
    McCain should go for it! After he gets thrashed by Paris in the debates (which will inevitably happen) he can still bitterly complain about the liberal media bias, Paris's celebrity status, etc, etc. I am sure, even the "humorless" democrats will find that funny! :-)

    Parent
    No (5.00 / 2) (#104)
    by RalphB on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:57:26 PM EST
    Democrats would take it seriously and issue a sternly worded statement.  :-)

    Parent
    correct that (none / 0) (#133)
    by weltec2 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 02:19:42 AM EST
    Paris would steal away the college kid vote that BO sort of won the Primaries with. In fact she could probably out do him with more political ads to their iPhones.

    Parent
    That's the best (none / 0) (#35)
    by weltec2 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:11:12 PM EST
    Tucker Bounds could come up with? "all of the above"? Seriously? This is a recommendation to vote for McCain because he has an all-over-the-place policy? No, I'm sorry. That's a pretty lame reply, if you ask me.

    Parent
    OMG that (none / 0) (#82)
    by Andy08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:23:26 PM EST
    response is brilliant!!

    Parent
    Paris (5.00 / 4) (#9)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:38:28 PM EST
    Comes across as considerably more articulate than McCain.

    More mature, also.  Who'd a-thunk it?

    She has a better producer also; this makes McCain's ads look like a HS video class project.  Someone at McCain HQ is being fired right now.

    Haha... (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by trublueCO on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:48:24 PM EST
    "He's the oldest celebrity in the world."

    I'm sure the producer of this ad has already had the Obama and McCain camps calling with job offers!

    Parent

    "oldest" (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:07:28 PM EST
    nice going there.  reinforces the concept that Obama is only after the young vote.

    I bet a lot of seniors, if they see this, just might be offended.

    This type of talk works to McCain's advantage twofold:  it looks like they are going after him because of his age AND it makes seniors rally around him for a show of solidarity.

    Yeah...keep it up Paris.  GREAT JOB!  See you in 50 years when you have had so much botox you're going to look like you will be able to blink your lips.

    Parent

    37.9 Americans (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by MichaelGale on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:27:08 PM EST
    over 65. Both might want to keep that in mind when you are trying to get votes.

    Parent
    I am guessing (5.00 / 2) (#53)
    by Steve M on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:32:26 PM EST
    that there might not be a whole ton of seniors interested in checking out the new Paris Hilton YouTube.  Of course, I could be wrong.

    Parent
    No... (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by weltec2 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:34:09 PM EST
    Of course I can only speak for myself and those I know, but... this is not going to make us "rally around him for a show of solidarity." While the outer skin is admittedly getting thinner and wrinkled, the hide inside is still pretty tough. :-


    Parent
    Finally a viable alternative (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by weltec2 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:46:55 PM EST
    to the two candidates. But what party will she be running under? Will it be the Party Party, the Hilton Party perhaps, or will she be running as an Independent. Somehow I missed that in her ad.

    I thought Paris got a bad deal with her jail time, (5.00 / 5) (#15)
    by JavaCityPal on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:46:57 PM EST
    too.

    Injecting her into this particular presidential contest seems fitting, actually. It goes to the obvious lack of substance.

    Sounds like (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Edgar08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:54:29 PM EST
    She has the post-partisanship thing down pat.

    That's what Obama wants, of course.  A hybrid government.

    And, frankly... (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by pmj6 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:05:37 PM EST
    ...for Paris Hilton to come out with with an anti-McCain ad in response to McCain campaign's attempt to liken her to Obama only reinforces McCain campaign's message.

    Where's Courtney Love? (none / 0) (#34)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:09:45 PM EST
    Give it time that the McCain campaign starts using "Celebrity Skin".

    Parent
    Since Paris doesn't endorse either Obama (5.00 / 3) (#33)
    by Grace on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:08:37 PM EST
    or McCain, I hardly see this as an endorsement for the Democrats.  

    Also, since both of her parents (5.00 / 0) (#38)
    by weltec2 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:14:42 PM EST
    donated the maximum amount possible to the McCain campaign, it is unlikely that Paris is intending her ad to be pro-Demo in any way.

    Parent
    Someone mentioned here (5.00 / 2) (#36)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:12:23 PM EST
    that the celebrity idea is starting to stick.  Guess when Senator Obama accepts his nomination before a packed house at Invesco with warm up acts like the Black Eyed Peas or U2,  it will just give the McCain campaign more material for the fall.

    "Don't make me over, I'm all I wanna be..."

    I think the reason it is starting (5.00 / 3) (#39)
    by Grace on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:16:31 PM EST
    to stick is because it is what people have seen of Obama so far -- the adoring crowds, the women fainting, the European tour -- it's all so "celebrity-ish."

     

    Parent

    You are right Grace (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:22:00 PM EST
    and instead of walking it back a bit the Obama camp seems to revel in it more.

    It doesn't make any sense...

    Parent

    Next we'll hear Michelle (2.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Grace on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:29:56 PM EST
    talk about how their friends call her and Barack "Barelle" or "Michack," then we'll hear how she'd like to adopt a couple of orphans from some overseas country (ala Brangelina).  

    </snark>

    Celebrity?  Who's a celebrity?  ;-)

    Parent

    I suggest the a clip of McCain's appearance (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by byteb on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:21:31 PM EST
    in The Wedding Crashers shaking Christopher Walken's  hand should be part of an Obama ad talking about who exactly is the celebrity to the extent of appearing in top grossing Hollywood movie.

    Parent
    Isn't is sad (4.57 / 7) (#45)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:25:19 PM EST
    that because of the candidates that the media shoved down the collective American throat that this is what has come down to?

    Your idea seems so easy to have come up with.  God forbid we actually see ads that address MYRIAD of problems you and I face every day.

    This crap would NOT be happening had Hillary been the nominee.

    Town hall meetings be da**ed.  Let's go to Europe for a German political Woodstock!!!!


    Parent

    Or let's make idiot attack ads that (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by byteb on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:31:16 PM EST
    are so frivolous that McCain's own mother described them as 'stupid' because acting like Heather is so dignified for an elder statesman running for CinC.

    Parent
    I'm not defending either one (none / 0) (#65)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:44:02 PM EST
    Surface vs Substance.  In the CNN/FOX 24 hour pukefest on cable, you know which one wins.

    Parent
    Oh pleaseI (none / 0) (#81)
    by Valhalla on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:22:44 PM EST
    I guess you're advocating that we should consider McCain's mom an authority on political ad quality?  Hmm, weird, since you seem to be an Obama supporter.

    She also said that Obama 'definitely' injected race into the campaign.  Oh no!  It must be true!


    Parent

    I think his mother (5.00 / 0) (#95)
    by byteb on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:46:22 PM EST
    is an authority on when he's being stupid.

    Parent
    She said the "idea" of that kind (none / 0) (#137)
    by zfran on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 10:55:18 AM EST
    of ad was stupid. She had not seen the ad herself and thought she was too old to appreciate that kind of ad. So please keep it real.

    Parent
    I think his mother is (none / 0) (#139)
    by byteb on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:56:32 PM EST
    an authority on when he has a stupid idea.

    Real enough?

    Parent

    His mother wasn't aware of who (none / 0) (#142)
    by zfran on Thu Aug 07, 2008 at 01:04:50 PM EST
    Britney and Paris were, nor did she see the ad when asked about it. Please quote her correctly otherwise, misinformation gets spread and we wouldn't want that.

    Parent
    Hillary would have met McCain (5.00 / 5) (#67)
    by Grace on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:48:49 PM EST
    for 100 townhalls if he wanted to do them.  

    Seriously, one of the things I feel like we were most deprived of this election season is serious debate on the issues.  We could have had that with McCain and Hillary.  

    Obama runs from the fray.  His interests lay in "controlling the narrative."    

    Parent

    Da** funny (5.00 / 5) (#41)
    by Democratic Cat on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:19:18 PM EST
    Some people have no sense of humor.  That was LOL funny.  I guess I like Paris Hilton too.

    I'm a litle sad that Paris sounds wonkier and more articulate in discussing policy than either of our remaining major party candidates.  Sure, she's just reciting the lines someone wrote for her, but she sounded authoritative.  It would be nice to have a presidential candidate who was that direct and straightforward.

    This type of thing is good for McCain. (5.00 / 2) (#59)
    by Grace on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:37:41 PM EST
    It gives him TV time he wouldn't ordinarily get.  People also talk about this stuff (like we are here) and that keeps him in the public eye.  

    If Obama wants to discuss serious subjects, McCain has offered to debate him, do townhalls with him, etc.  Obama turns all those things down.  

    McCain doesn't have the money Obama does so I'm sure McCain looks at any free publicity as being good publicity.  

    Spot on Grace (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:52:09 PM EST
    What better way to get free media than utilize the two biggest tools the media loves?  Paris and Britney Spears.  Those two alone are cottage industries for the tabloids and the likes of People Magazine.

    Her video will be circulated a lot and given a lot of free time.  McCain's quick response meant they will take what they can get.

    Obama's silence on the other hand, I dunno.  Maybe he can get away with it since he's the New Media Opportunist, Spotlight-Getter.

    Parent

    Free publicity like Sturgis (none / 0) (#96)
    by byteb on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:49:30 PM EST
    and beauty contests? Now, I understand.

    Parent
    Don't be cuz if I didn't think that way, (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:42:22 PM EST
    it would take away your reasons for always downrating me...:)

    The Schaudenfreude on this list is astonishing (5.00 / 2) (#72)
    by Belswyn on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:56:01 PM EST
    The ad continually points out McCain's great weakness in stark terms, his age. It makes fun of the fact that he can't present a coherent economic policy statement in anything like the thirty seconds that Paris reads it off in without committing gaffes and blunders.

    This ad is bad for McCain. It is clearly worse for McCain than it is for Obama.

    You would like to be bad for McCain (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by Valhalla on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:29:37 PM EST
    That's clear.  But you're just stating your opinion/wishful thinking as fact.

    You must be pretty young, because people a bit older don't have the same zest for making fun of someone's age, or think it's riotously funny.

    But go ahead, keep pushing that, I'm sure the nearly 40% of the population who're in the senior citizen range will find it quite persuasive!

    Parent

    McCain looks a fool (5.00 / 2) (#74)
    by thentro on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:56:57 PM EST
    I am not sure how people can call this good for McCain. Unless they can spin this really hard, their own chosen example for a useless vapid celebrity just insulted, belittled, and talked down to John McCain. Paris Hilton. Sure she implied that Obama had no real energy plan, but this response is aimed squarely at John McCain and his silly ad. Sure his "celebrity" ad will be in the news again, but in a much much different light. The light it should have gotten in the first place!

    I don't think the ad was good for either of them (5.00 / 2) (#130)
    by sj on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:02:44 AM EST
    The only advantage to be gained is in the response to the ad.  

    And, sadly, point: McCain

    Parent

    This is good for McCain because (none / 0) (#125)
    by Roz on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:13:53 AM EST
    a useless vapid celebrity just insulted, belittled, and talked down to him in a video satire.

    Parent
    When is that ever good? (none / 0) (#135)
    by thentro on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 08:42:23 AM EST
    Bizarro land here. If that video is good for McCain, everything is good for McCain.

    Parent
    If shooting skeet, Paris has a double. (5.00 / 2) (#76)
    by wurman on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:03:05 PM EST
    As noted, she's cute.

    As not commented, her pornographic video made her famous & notorious.

    Her work & her inheritance & her New York Times best-seller & her music album seem to indicate that she has parlayed "famous for being famous" into a very successful business pattern.

    I think she's quite funny.  And as the back & forth comments here indicate, some think she parodied McCain & some think she back-handed Obama. That's a great 2-fer.

    Good job, young lady.  Either way the election turns out, ya' stuck it to the man.

    McCain needs to do another web ad (5.00 / 2) (#87)
    by Grace on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:29:44 PM EST
    challenging Paris Hilton to a townhall meeting "since the other guy won't do one."

    That would really create a commotion!    

    Grace (5.00 / 2) (#92)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:41:46 PM EST
    you are on a roll tonight!  That would be "like, so totally cool!"  Yes.  OR OR OR!  McCain could get a cardboard cut out of Obama or an empty suit and hold a townhall debate.

    THEN Paris show up and say, "I'm here you old goat!" "Let's talk about drilling!"

    That would be a media circus. It would be too much for Paris to resist.  She would have whole of the Washington press corps behind her.  And all the while the Democrats (sadly) would be a laughing stock.

    After all, the media is ALL about ratings and pushing magazines and papers.  Don't let FOX get wind of something like this.  

    Parent

    Ha! That would be a RIOT! (none / 0) (#103)
    by Grace on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:56:37 PM EST
    The media would be all over it since it would mean ratings (plus I'll bet Paris would go for it too.  She's not one to shy away from publicity.)

    I hope they read this thread!  ;-)

    Parent

    This is all really fun (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by RalphB on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:59:48 PM EST
    when you don't care anymore who wins.  :-)


    Parent
    I DID care (5.00 / 1) (#112)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:09:20 PM EST
    but Donna "I want to send a message/we don't need the Latino/White rural vote" Brazile and the DNC didn't.  

    MTV and the demographic that watches "The Hills" are not going to come to their rescue,either.  I think that's why they need to do the whole Invesco fiasco.  They HAVE to have this event.

    Reminds me of my old club days when a friend would ask me about the atmoshpere.  My reply was:  "all crowd no sensation".

    That's the theme for me this election cycle.  Hope Paris injects herself more into all this.  Maybe SHE can get energy policy to be discussed.  Future generations will laugh at this crap and wonder WTF were we thinking??

    Parent

    ROFLOL !!! (none / 0) (#91)
    by Andy08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:41:08 PM EST
    That would be funny!!

    Parent
    I know some people (5.00 / 1) (#116)
    by americanincanada on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:37:48 PM EST
    would like to think that the bikers at Sturgis don't vote but that is a faulty assumption, they do vote and they vote republican. McCain going there was brilliant and I don't like the guy.

    As far as the Paris ad goes it just makes the celeb memo that much more powerful. Paris sounded better than Obama and she could probably run and take votes away from him.

    This election is becoming a joke. Can we get Hillary back now so we can have some townhalls and discuss actual policy?

    Garrison Keillor on McCain/Obama and Elitism (5.00 / 1) (#138)
    by daring grace on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:14:32 PM EST
    Garrison Keillor

    In an essay that is standard Keillor musing on Americana with a couple of zingers at politics and contemporary culture, this was the money paragraph for me:

    "And it's an amazing country where an Arizona multimillionaire can attack a Chicago South Sider as an elitist and hope to make it stick. The Chicagoan was brought up by a single mom who had big ambitions for him, and he got scholarshipped into Harvard Law and was made president of the law review, all of it on his own hook, whereas the Arizonan is the son of an admiral and was ushered into Annapolis though an indifferent student, much like the Current Occupant, both of them men who are very lucky that their fathers were born before they were. The Chicagoan, who grew up without a father, wrote a book on his own, using a computer. The Arizonan hired people to write his for him. But because the Chicagoan can say what he thinks and make sense and the Arizonan cannot do that for more than 30 seconds at a time, the old guy is hoping to portray the skinny guy as arrogant.

    Good luck with that, sir. "


    Is this the end.. (4.25 / 4) (#2)
    by Polkan on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:24:05 PM EST
    of Obama's candidacy?

    What's next, Spears drilling policy?

    I wonder if McCain's sitting there in amazement not knowing who to call to thank for this.

    lmao....I loathe Paris Hilton, but this was (4.00 / 4) (#5)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:32:41 PM EST
    just too delicious...a smackdown delivered by Paris, and it was sooooo easy :)

    a smackdown of McCain (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by byteb on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:03:45 PM EST
    and it was sooo easy.

    Parent
    A smackdown for both of them (none / 0) (#129)
    by sj on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:00:55 AM EST
    and it was sooo easy.

    Parent
    Nice to see I am a role model for you byteb (1.00 / 1) (#120)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:56:50 PM EST


    Jeralyn....missing an "i" in strikes in (none / 0) (#7)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:36:57 PM EST
    title...:)

    This reminds me (none / 0) (#12)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:45:10 PM EST
    of when Jessica Simpson was roundly booed by the progressives because of her pro-Bush stances, then she was lauded and practically asked to be in MENSA when she turned Bush down when he asked her help in the Operation Smile campaign.

    I still feel that Paris Hilton is nothing more than just another cog in the Fox Entertainment wheel.

    I would hardly think that someone who "starred" in the Simple Life on Fox, where, she demeaned people who actually WORKED for a living is something that thinking people celebrate.

    When ANYONE berates the little man for being common and holding down a job, disgusts me. How does she think that the Hiltons got so rich?  I hardly think she would be scrubbing toilets in any of the Homewood Suites my temps work in every day.

    Gimme a freakin' break.   Obama himself compared his celebrity status to Paris.

    OK... (none / 0) (#28)
    by pmj6 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:03:32 PM EST
    So we have a spoiled, rich, brat of an heiress making fun of a distinguished US Senator effectively as a surrogate of the Democratic Party presumptive nominee. Which demographic does this appeal to, exactly? I don't see lower-class, blue collar workers of Americans caring much for the likes of Paris Hilton.

    You'd be surprised... (none / 0) (#88)
    by HypeJersey on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:37:16 PM EST
    She'd probably get the guys I know to stop what they are doing and listen (of course, because of her celebrity status - not because they'd view her as the fountain of knowledge when it comes to energy policy).  However, coupled with McCain's comments regarding the fact that Paris sounds more knowledgeable than Obama, I could see her commercial helping out McCain's campaign.

    Parent
    Btw, Jeralyn frowns on (none / 0) (#62)
    by byteb on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:42:21 PM EST
    using pejoratives and/or snide names for the candidates....even candidates you don't care for.

    Well I am sure she will punish me in a (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:43:12 PM EST
    fashion she sees fit....

    Parent
    I think her goal is civil discourse (5.00 / 0) (#75)
    by byteb on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:58:29 PM EST
    even when the candidate in question is not held in high esteem by the commenter.

    Parent
    LOL (none / 0) (#85)
    by Little Fish on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:26:28 PM EST
    That ad is awesome.  Maybe I'll write in Paris.  

    Can someone (none / 0) (#89)
    by Andy08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:38:15 PM EST
    explain why di Paris Hilton got offended by in teh Celeb Ad?  Was it that she is not a celeb? that she is not a celeb like BO? Or was it that she is not superficial like BO? In other words if she got offended by the implication she was superficial it must be that she actually believes BO is superficial... Oh boy there are so many interpretations of this that I can't stop laughing..
    What a circus....

    Obama needs to learn some self-deprecating humor. He takes himself far too seriously, with his new airplane chair and all that. Instead of reacting to the Celeb ad as he did; he should have laughed it off and said: wow I am honored to be next to such beautiful women. It would have been the end of it.

    Well,we now have another week of fodder with this.
    Great...(snark).

    I hear Hannity played it and they loved it; thought it was very amusing.

    Not good ...

    Of course FOX (5.00 / 2) (#93)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:43:59 PM EST
    will play it up.  Who scored millions for Fox none other than Paris and Nicole Richie?

    Man, where are the superdelegates????????????????

    Parent

    My guess... (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by HypeJersey on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:44:45 PM EST
    is that she was offended because McCain's ad used her as a symbol of vacuous celebrity without her consent (and without putting her on the payroll).  I think that Paris knows a lot more about "economics" than most people realize.  

    Parent
    I don't think Paris was offended at all. (5.00 / 1) (#108)
    by Grace on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:03:20 PM EST
    She was "faux offended."  She likes the publicity, and I'm sure McCain is personally known by members of her family.  

    Parent
    Yep.. (none / 0) (#111)
    by HypeJersey on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:08:25 PM EST
    I agree.  You have to admit - she's better at making ads than either one of them - Obama or mcCain!

    Parent
    Paris welcomes any and all media attention (none / 0) (#117)
    by shoephone on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:40:31 PM EST
    It was her mother who was offended.

    Parent
    I suspect you are right :-) (none / 0) (#101)
    by RalphB on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:54:05 PM EST
    HypeJersey: you are probably right (none / 0) (#110)
    by Andy08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:08:08 PM EST
    I guess we need to wait (none / 0) (#99)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:52:35 PM EST
    for Britney to come out with a video.  After all, we haven't heard her .02 to anything since Fahrenheit 9/11.

    Gimme more gimme more....

    Paris Hilton: Mission Accomplished (none / 0) (#107)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:01:33 PM EST
    This video is the at the top of the page storybox/video on Yahoo's homepage.

    Celebrity sells in the USA!

    Gross (none / 0) (#113)
    by squeaky on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:18:58 PM EST
    Nice shilling for McSame, though.

    While we are waiting for alternative energy we might as well start drilling off shore so we can have lower energy prices immediately?

    The video seems to have been removed.  


    Paris's Veep choice though... (none / 0) (#127)
    by weltec2 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:32:46 AM EST
    Rihanna is from Barbados, and independent nation since 1966. There could be questions... I don't know, what are the birth requirements for Veep?

    I don't plan on watching, but, what is (none / 0) (#131)
    by oculus on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:08:56 AM EST
    the ad actually advertising?

    It's quite entertaining (none / 0) (#134)
    by Grace on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:34:55 AM EST
    to travel the Internet and read other liberal blogs and websites.  

    Personally, I think this turn McCain has made towards humorous ads and gimmicks has been a good move since it shows he's the kind of guy who can produce a joke and take a joke.  It actually makes him appear to be younger than he really is since older people tend to lose their sense of humor.  (This was actually proven in a scientific study in the last few years.  You can probably find the facts via Google.)

    The liberal blog response is that McCain is taking a whooping from Obama's snappy comebacks.  Like today, when Obama said

    "So I told them something simple," Obama said. "I said, 'You know what? You can inflate your tires to the proper levels and that if everybody in America inflated their tires to the proper level, we would actually probably save more oil than all the oil we'd get from John McCain drilling right below his feet there, or wherever he was going to drill.'"...

    "So now the Republicans are going around -- this is the kind of thing they do. I don't understand it! They're going around, they're sending like little tire gauges, making fun of this idea as if this is 'Barack Obama's energy plan.'

    "Now two points, one, they know they're lying about what my energy plan is, but the other thing is they're making fun of a step that every expert says would absolutely reduce our oil consumption by 3 to 4 percent. It's like these guys take pride in being ignorant."

    I don't consider that to be a snappy comeback.  "These guys take pride in being ignorant" hardly qualifies as real humor or a snappy comeback.  The truth is, these guys find humor in being ignorant -- and there is humor in being ignorant.  Ask Jeff Foxworthy or Larry the Cable Guy.  

    I think the McCain camp saw a humor deficit on the Obama side when the New Yorker parody magazine cover came out and Obama's surrogates complained.  They are capitalizing on that deficit now and it would behoove the Obama campaign to find a sense of humor -- and quickly!  

    If McCain keeps this up, you are going to see the poll numbers switch rapidly.  


    I think it will take (none / 0) (#140)
    by byteb on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:12:25 PM EST
    a lot more than ads, expensive loafers, cameo appearances in movies or on 24 to make McCain 'appear' younger.

    Do you really think older ppl lose their sense of humor because that hasn't been my experience.

    McCain's 'humor' is really more like middle school sarcasm.

    About the pride in being ignorant: Obama wasn't trying to be funny nor make a 'snappy' comeback, IMO, he was stating a fact about Repubs and their tactics.

    BTW, NASCAR and AAA think keeping tires properly inflated will help. Why is McCain and the Republicans making fun of a valid idea that ppl can use in their every day lives get better gas mileage a joke to the right wing?

    I think McCain is very thin skinned..one of the reasons, he has a reputation for having a ferocious temper.

    Parent