LA Times: Hollywood Thinks McCain's Britney, Hilton Ad "Smacked Of Desperation"

TO HOLLYWOOD it smacked of desperation.

That's why the reaction to a new John McCain ad attempting to portray Barack Obama as a kind of mindless celebrity -- likening him to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears -- drew collective yawns and shrugs of irritation from politically active members of the entertainment industry.

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Comments

[LittleSanityLeft]

"Some of Obama's strongest celebrity backers, like George Clooney, have been careful to keep their distance because they don't want to compromise the candidate's image as a serious politician."

It's funny that white Hollywood folks like George Clooney get it, but black folks like Ludacris and Bernie Mac don't. It really makes you wonder...

[dezzertguy]

Is this a surprise? Obama has been portrayed by the press as a celebrity, remember people fainting when they see him or Matthew's "tingle up the leg"? Even the reference to JFK speaks to Camelot and the air of excitement during his administration, not experience or gravitas. Obama is not a natural speaker like Clinton or natural leader like JFK. He is rigid and has trouble when he moves away from a prepared script.

[jdcccc]

If Hollywood is upset it’s a bulls eye.

[RobinSeattle]

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, the late NRA mouthpiece Charlton Heston, Ron Silver, Elizabeth Hasselbeck, Gopher from The Love Boat as well as the CEOs of Disney, Viacom (which owns CBS and MTV), GE (which owns NBC), and Sirius-SM satellite radio are all Republicans. Two of those have even held political office. And let's not forget that Ronald Reagan's acting and political careers were both largely thanks to his relationship with MCA-Universal. Moreover, Britney was invited to appear at a GOP convention in NYC a few years ago and Paris Hilton's family are big GOP contributors (most recently to Mitt Romney and the party's senatorial campaign).

So Hollywood isn't just a hotbed of Democrats. And both Spears and Hilton are Republicans. In addition, Spears is a native of Louisiana, which McCain is expected to win handily.

[liseworks]

" ....Louisiana, which McCain is expected to win handily" - ....while he's in the process of losing his own state ....

[qdog112]

I often wonder what Republicans do for entertainment. They seem to hate every talented artist for Hollywood or New York.

There are very few musical artists who agree with their views, so I'm curious outside of hanging around mens rooms and spying in other's bedrooms, what they do for leisure.

Could it be that they just watch Reagan re-runs and reminisce about the GOOD OLE days?

[Furby]

What Republicans do for entertainment: they post here and watch Dem's get their knickers in a knot :)

[TishTheFish]

Sweet - Paris' parents donated the max to JM's campaign.

[BethA]

This ad just showed clearly that McCain is McSame, even in the little stuff he's just like Bush. Make a really stupid move and then stand by it no matter how badly it turns out. If he can't make good decisions when it comes to trying to convince us to vote for him with attack ads instead of what we want to hear about fixing this mess, then how on earth is he going to be a good commander in chief?
8 years of Bush and Republicans is enough, look at the mess we are in, yeah...we need a change and McCain clearly isn't it!

[dutchess2]

I just read where Paris Hilton's parents were large doners to McCain's campaign..

Wonder if he'll issue a refund?

[MissingAmerica]

Personally, I watched the ad once - here - to figure out how they could compare these three. It makes no sense and, if anything, is drawing at straws. It reminds me of the kids in the schoolyard, one saying "my dad can beat your dad" and the other one counters with "well, your mama is fat." This ad is truly at that level of childishness. If the Republicans win the White House this time, it will be a clear sign that we will have had yet another crooked election.

[jay1975]

Well if that's what Hollywood thinks, then I am sold.

[NC4Obama]

Funny how both Paris and Britney are republicans as well, and that Hilton's family are maxed donors of McCain.

[Pupadup4oBama]

Biting the hand that feeds you....not very smart.

[loax]

All this ad did was to prove that McCain and his surrogates have nothing to offer on issues. To run this ad, and then to claim racism by Obama shows how desperate they are. The Rove schoolof campaigning is making F's for this term. People will not be led down their primrose paths anymore. Republicans in general should see that this is no"respectful campaign on the issues" but one of dshonor to McCain.

[MPeter]

The ad just helped the world realize how filthy and unprincipled this old dog is. He is a man without honor and will do anything to get power, including lying and smearing.

[eniobob]

This ad got a lot of attention,not for any paticular content,but for its imature thinking on JohnnyMacs campaign.

[TimmySlagle]

Smacked of Desperation?

Right now Gallup has the candidates in a DEAD HEAT. McCain pulled even with Obama, during his European Tour, just by going to a German Restaurant (a much better expenditure of resources).

But here's the bottom line: Of course Hollywood is yawning. The McCain ad essentially said, that Obama was one of them (attractive and vapid).

They're like, "Yah, we KNOW!"

[Furby]

Actually, they said "Yah like we know, whatever".

[Ammobob]

Is this the same Hollywood that was supposed to leave the country when Pres Bush was re-elected?? I trust their collective judgement...........their recent run of really BAD anti-war movies attests to their superior judgement. I'll buy THAT for a dollar........