Flashback McCain '07: Paris Hilton Gets More Attention Than Deserved

There once was a time, not too long ago, when John McCain lamented the fact that Paris Hilton was getting so much attention in the news media. Nowadays, of course, his campaign is gleefully pushing the celebrity famous for doing nothing as a relevant campaign issue.

During an August 17, 2007 appearance on Hardball, the Arizona Republican, who was already running for president, was asked to weigh in on the drama surrounding O.J. Simpson's arrest in Las Vegas for armed robbery.

McCain's response doesn't exactly jive with his campaign's posture today.

"I don't know," he said, when asked if the Juice could get a fair trial. "I would not know about that. The last time a lot of people were surprised that he got at least what was in his view a fair trial. But, honestly, I have not been keeping up with it as much as I should have maybe, because it's certainly -- This and Paris Hilton are the kind of issues that seem to get a lot more attention than maybe some of us think they deserve."

Fast forward to this past week, when the Senator has actively sought to bring Paris Hilton into the political dialogue. His campaign put out a commercial comparing her and Barack Obama and defended it as a legitimate criticism of the downfalls of celebrity. Faced with some withering backlash from Republicans and Democrats alike, the McCain campaign -- including former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani this Thursday morning -- have said they were just having "a little fun" during the dog days of summer.

Paris' mom in the meantime, has called the ad "frivolous" and "a complete waste of the country's time and attention at the very moment when millions of people are losing their homes and their jobs."

Here is the complete transcript:

MATTHEWS: Yes, let me ask you about this big story that`s breaking over the weekend. I know you have written a book called "Hard Call," and it`s about guts at the top. Here`s a hard call for you. I know Matt Lauer did this to you the other day. So I`m copy-catting him. Here`s a hard call for you. Given everything that`s happening out in Vegas right now, and Clark County, and you know what`s going on in the news with O.J. -- and let me put this in the language of the streets, can the Juice get a fair trial?

Comments

[TrishR]

I loved Paris Hilton's video! I think she did an excellent job. In fact, I liked it so much, I made my own video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSUuXsm-nJw

[syrupcore]

Not sure the premise of this article holds much weight. He thinks Paris Hilton is a waste of time as a vapid celeb and is suggesting in his ads that Obama is the same. His ads still suck but it doesn't feel out of step with his previous comments at all.

[ndnndpendent]

Dear John:

Your increasingly apparent obsession with Paris is getting a little creepy.

Signed

Not a McCain Fan

[CharlesJ]

Hey McCain gave her all the attention she could want. McMadeItUp­BecauseHeD­oesntKnow has always had a thing for young attractive ladies. He was just showing us again how he can easily degrade a woman for the sake of winning an election.

[larry278]

The headline for Mr Stein's blog is so precious. Ms Hilton is adept at handling publicity; some say that she seeks & takes delight in any publicity concerning her. Paris isn't afraid to show her wit when she feels that it will gain even more publicity for her. She may become the Mae West & Zsa Zsa Gabor of the 21st century.

[DaOne]

Grumpy old man is jealous when younger people get attention.

Mayor Mc Cheese "Hey it's all about me"

[Gatormouth]

Paris Hilton gets more attention than she deserves? Or maybe you are saying that in this John McCain is getting more (bad) attention than he deserves? I think he deserves it. About time he got bitch-slapped by a woman for a change. McCain, or his crew, tried to act like a bully on the playground and push a girl. And got a bloody nose.

[johnie2xs]

I say this with tongue firmly implanted in cheek, but you'll have to admit it is a tantalizing thought;

OBAMA/ HILTON '08 http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/64ad536a6d

YOU GO GIRL !!!!!!!!

[Plowboy]

Of course Paris Hilton gets more attention than she deserves, but then so does McCain. In fact, if attention were doled out based on IQ, she should get more than he. (Just compare their energy policies and you'll see that she is much smarter than he.)
I've often wondered how we might improve the level of politics in thgis country. Here is one pretty gtood idea: we should require all presidential candidates to have an IQ at least equal to his age.
But it would be unfair to McCain to install such a rule now.

[imsosure]

(G)o (O)ut to (P)asture you sleazy loser John Boy. You surround yourself with others just like you and then have the nerve to complain that they are getting more attention? And this is an example of your leadership skills, the way you behave now is all we have to go on Johnny and you're not painting a very attractive picture, you got a thing for young blond's aye? Well too bad you're not running an advertising agency instead of a political campaign, it might be taken seriously then, right now you strike me as a wannabe struggling to put forth a campaign but it's so sleazy and transparent, you are not being taken seriously. Just thought I'd point that out as you truly don't seem to get it.

Obama for President in 08!

[CtJean]

After laughing at Paris the last few years, I have a new respect for her. She memorized her lines perfectly or could at least read a teleprompter. jonymac always looks like he's having an eye exam.
left, center, right, smile

I thought her ad was great - loved the crypt keeper.

[CtJean]

Take a look at that face in the article.

If the phone rings at 3:00AM, do you want to roll over and see THAT coming at you?

[joeyp404]

A February 24, 2005, Washington Post article begins: There's nothing exotic or complicated about how phenoms are made in Washington, and, more to the point, how they are broken. "Andy Warhol said we all get our 15 minutes of fame," says Barack Obama. "I've already had an hour and a half. I mean, I'm so overexposed, I'm making Paris Hilton look like a recluse."

[Beachrunner]

You gotta laugh. Paris Hilton goes from empty-headed bimbo who shows her shaved whosis to the world, to expert energy consultant and shrewd politico overnight. Too funny!

Not to change the subject, but would someone in the know explain to me why, with the economy in the toilet, an unpopular war, and a president loathed by the masses, it's basically a neck & neck race between Obama and McCain?

Maybe someone can also explain why Al Gore didn't win by a landslide when, in 2000, we were at peace and the economy was booming?

[FeelinGroovy]

The corporate (republican) owned "MSM" reports what they are told, thus the 'neck and neck' when, in reality Obama is ahead more than they want us to think. If we think it's neck and neck, it will be easier for the rethugs to steal the election as they did in 2000 in Florida. Remember a Bush was the governor and their friend Kathleen Harris was Secty of State. Then their friends on the "supreme" court gave it to W.

And, of course, the democrats talk about the issues while the rethugs use lies and sensationalism.

And then there's the fixed voting machines. Don't get me started.

If someone from another planet were to land here and take an honest look at these two candidates without knowing anything about the two parties, what would they think?

Let's see if Huffpo has the guts to publish this one. Sometimes they don't.

[swift goat pet for truth]

I am not voting for a wrinkly white haired dude who lost an energy debate to ParisHilton.

I do not trust the judgement of a guy who pimps his wife to a topless contest.

[FeelinGroovy]

And don't forget called her the "C" word in front of the press.