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

[poco767b]

McCain struggles to maintain a one track mind.

[Diogenis]

What do you expect from a man that still uses 8 tracks!

[Daly]

brilliant

[RememberTheAlamo]

Hi All . . . McCain, with the help of Paris, managed to push Obama entirely out of the news cycle . . . When they are talking about Paris, they aren't listening to Obama . . . sure the base still listens . . . but it is all about staying at the top of the news cycle . . . America loves the picture . . . old guy (we all have dads and uncles we love), hanging out at biker rallies and getting teased by this young fashion idol . . . This is made for TV and the internet . . . It is almost upbeat! . . . It is silly . . . It is meaningless . . . but it is accomplishing the objective.

[ObamAtomic]

lol,do you believe that?,Paris call you guy,that wrinkly, white-haired guy used me in his campaign ad, which I,comparing,with the Old Colonel,The Golden Girls,The Creepy Creatures,Larry King and the
Short duh from Stars Wars,,,,,,,,McCain is he ready to lead.,,,,N­nnnnnOOOOO­OO!

[reelcobra]

ObamAtomic - Right on!

To be President and Commander in Chief of our Military you need to be young and Handsome.

Brad Pitt for V.P.!! Clooney for State! We on the hard left have the best looking people!

__________­__________­__________­___

CHARACTER is a DISTRACTION - NOT AN ISSUE!!

[LemonFreshScent]

He is a celebrity wannabe. His book was made into a movie for TV. He is jealous.

[LanosIceland]

Exactly. He had to find some way to get attention away from Obama, and he couldn't do it on his own merits because he doesn't have the pulling power. So what did he do? He uses Paris, the world's biggest celebrity, just to draw attention to himself. And it worked.

[reelcobra]

And that whole POW gimmick is so obvious! Give me a break, old man...

If we want a war hero in the WH we can run John "Reporting for Duty" Kerry again!

[loax]

This man cannot make up his mind on anything, but than I forgot John McCain does not speak for the campaign!

[checkitout]

The funny thing about this is that P aris' parents donated $4,600 to the M cCain campaign. Then he turns around and bashes their daughter. They should ask for their money back, then give it to O bama to get even.

[Bluejay00234]

What hasnt this man flip flopped on?

[MegInPA]

blondes

[checkitout]

What!? - That's news?

[harriscrl3]

His name but we still have time.

Carol

[Charmed]

Is McCain going to dump Cindy for Paris....L­OL

[swift goat pet for truth]

PH does not need a wrinkly old white haired dude.

Clingy Cindy does, though.

[checkitout]

Was he the best her money could buy? She needs to get a refund fast.

[lovethesinner]

CNN just reported that the Paris Hilton rebuttal to McCain's "Celebrity" ad has gotten five million hits on YouTube, just in the few days it's been on the internet. That's 2 million more hits than McCain has gotten with all of his ads to date, combined, (including the "Celebrity" one.)

[nicholasclaxton]

McCreepy should have saw this coming - it's just further proof his camp doesn't have a clue (or is simply trying to throw the election).­..Regardle­ss of whether you like Paris/Brit or not - energizing their fan base is probably not going to work in Mac's benefit. And may very well aid in getting that crowd to the polls.

[kidvidkid]

Let's bring this back to the big issues:

the phrase is "doesn't exactly jibe," not "doesn't exactly "jive."

Though the conjured up visual in my mind of someone who "doesn't exactly jive" is making this long Thursday afternoon much more entertaining.

[venicesurfer]

wow, you whiners are just not yet over this paris hilton. the celeb ad has really done some emotional damage.

[Crake]

How many McCain points do you have?

[swift goat pet for truth]

I like PH much more now that McSame has lost an energy debate to her.

[JessWonderin]

sorry hodad - Paris not only spanked McSame but sent him back crying to the Home for meds . . .


"get off MY lawn!!!" hahahahaha­hahahahaha­h . . . .

[scorpioleidy]

I think he just wants to do her ...

[cdub1991]

She's female and blond. Of course he does...

[helonias]

And Rich silly

[checkitout]

Uh, oh - watch your man, C-indy! P-aris is a newer model than you - and she has lots more money and therefore can afford a lot more v-iagra. You may never see the top of his bald head again.