The great Britney and Barack Obama video

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

The latest McCain video makes every mistake it is possible to make.

First, it intercuts pictures of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton with Barack Obama. The ideas is to make Obama look small. Instead it makes McCain look small. The video shows that they don't get it. They are making a video that appeals to the people making it, and to their view of Obama, not to voters.

Listen, if most people agreed that Obama was like Britney, he wouldn't be a superstar and you wouldn't need to make this ad at all.

Second, the video shows vast crowds shouting "O-ba-ma!". This is supposed to be an attack video, for goodness sake. A vast crowd cheering Obama is about the most potent pro-Obama message you can possibly send.

I honestly wonder if the McCain people know what they are doing.

Comments

[Zen]

I disagree, i think that this ad is a redneck-oriented and achieves its goal.

In fact, you have references to:

1. Berlin, Europe, foreign countries and whatever: that means "no interference in interior affairs"

2. American star system, not so popular among american people

3. Obama's quote about "no offshore drilling", a very important point for whom lives in midwest and needs oil for living.

Bye from Milan
Zeno

PS sorry for my english:)

[David Moss]

Bathed in my own cognitive dissonance, I look at this McCain video, and I see the cheering for Obama being compared to the teenage adulation for a beautiful virgin who turned out in the end to have severe problems with personal relationships, alcohol, growing up and reconciling her image with the reality. Quite a powerful message, I would have thought, with an accusation of high taxes added and a suggestion that more off-shore oil should be pumped.

You question whether McCain's strategists know what they're doing. Fair enough. But to be fair you must entertain the notion seriously that they do know what they're doing and, perhaps, you don't want them to – cognitive dissonance makes people do things like that, you know.

[George Rockingham]

Ha. Ha. Ha.

You see, this is what you get when your candidate's only claim to fame is crashing his plane during an illegal war. The GOP go on about McCain's five years of captivity like he had some choice in the matter. (Actually, McCain has another page to his book - he tried to cover up the savings and loans scandal in which thousands of old folks lost their savings. What a nice man.)

Obama, on the other hand, spent time in one of the most impoverished urban areas of the US, actually trying to make peoples' lives better.

[michael walsh]

actually, i suspect that conservative americans will buy that - hook, line and sinker. Sure, its ham-fisted - but its not rocket science to convince people to vote for the guy who wont make them worry about having to spend more money. The crowd scene was perhaps not as effective as the makers would have liked, but it still clearly implies that B. is the shallower of the two candidates (whether that is true or not.)

[Dominic Graham de Montrose]

"if most people agreed that Obama was like Britney, he wouldn't be a superstar"

WRONG! Maybe you haven't noticed that those same "most people" still classify Britney as a superstar.

[Andrew]

I agree with most other posters that the message is powerful when geared towards the GOP voter base. The average Joe votes on emotion and simple messages. Portraying Obama as shallow, for taxes and leading towards greater foreign dependency is about as good a battle call as you can put together for the Conservatives.

[Chris MacDonald, Surry Hills Australia]

I tend to think that this ad targets Hilary's working class Democrats. The down home 'McCain theme' music at the end. Denigrating celibrities, aligning Obama with women of questionable intelligence and virtue. If so its spot on. I just wonder if this audience will respond to the politcal message about oil and taxes. "Obama: popular with Germans" might work a bit better.

[Brian]

In fact, McCain did have a choice in the matter of being held captive in Vietnam. He was offered to be released, but refused unless other longer-held prisoners were as well. This is a man of courage that most Americans will be proud to call their President come January. With regards to this ad, I would agree it is a bit lame insofar as ads go. The narrator makes his points, which are all valid, but the images used are questionable. PS. McCain's team must know something about what they are doing, recent polls show the two candidates neck and neck...some even with J Mc ahead. Not bad for a guy who is being outraised 3 or 4 to 1 or whatever...

[Steve Martin]

When the Republicans took over the White House they inherited a $128 billion surplus. 8 years later they will leave a $482 billion deficit. McCain has a lot of nerve to accuse the Democrats of being big spenders.

[John Rennie]

Just remember that 45% of Americans believe in some form of creationism. This video is aimed at them.

[Craig Wilson]

David,
I'm sorry, but you are in the minority here in thhinking that the video was clever. The video looked more like a High School class project than anything else. It was a poor thought out plan for a campaign that is grasping for its last breathe. McCain seems to be more out of touch than we originally thought and this video will tarnish would could have been a great race.

Craig, Canada

[Sara]

quite frankly I think it's quite well done and it gets to the point.

[RGSquires]

the ad proves it - when you got nothing, all you can do is fling poo.

[larry]

There is a great middle America here that is not stupid.
We know when we are being sold a bill of goods.
We dont like European adulation of politicians,seen to much of that have we not grandpa.Just rewind your images over the last 60 years and you folks are always cheering some one on a rostrum,thats the message . Why not pop star images,watch the Hollywood mob get in on the act for Obama,he is not, we feel in the boondocks quite what you all make him out to be.

[Chris4338]

Up until this ad and the gasoline ad came out I really had no strong dislike for John McCain - I plan on voting for Obama, but didn't have a reason to absolutely hate McCain. He has managed to change that sentiment pretty quickly. When a coworker and I were discussing the ads, I exclaimed in frustration "how stupid do they think we are!??!" Coworker replied, "quite stupid - W was elected twice." It scares me to think that our leaders are elected by people who are incapable or unwilling to seek out valid information rather than getting it from 30 second sensationalist soundbytes.

[Steven]

Could go either way, but the Dems won't mind a constant repition of thirty seconds of their guy looking presidential on the world stage.

McCain will be destroyed in the debates and he knows it.

[Andy C]

The only way that Obama is going to lose this election is if there is a large Bradley effect and that America is just a lot more racist than it is prepared to admit.

I've never seen such a badly run political campaign as McCains, they genuinely haven't got a clue.

[Vicki]

Oh what a mess John McCain -- fire your campaign manager! Whoever advised you to make and run that ad is an idiot.

[Vicki]

I agree with Craig from Canada -- this video will tarnish what could have been a great race -- McCain needs to seriously rethink his campaign strategy and quickly before it is too late. I can't bear the thought of Obama and his higher taxes in the White house.

Britney's pretty hot. Obama isn't!

McCain should concentrate on policies as his president is in office while millions of fellow countrymen are hurting. Oil prices aren't as high as last month but things are still tough.

[Andy]

Wow Larry, it's comments and grammer like yours that make those of us in middle America look stupid. Just remember that Obama is from middle America and McCain is part of the west coast crowd. Phoenix is not that different than Hollywood but it's a long way from Chicago.

[jim]

Do not take these people lightly. They took a war hero and a draft dodgier and convinced many people that the war hero had something to hide while the coward was the honorable man. They will do anything to keep this war alive and the profits rolling in.

[Rob]

Isn't this a bit of an own goal for the Republicans given Britney's fairly vocal support for Republican causes in the past?
Oh well, I suppose the right wing are not known for thier intelligence...

[Richard Dormer]

I love the video that asks "who's responsible for the high gas prices?"

-that would be the lot who are in charge of the country now wouldn't it? Or is it one senator who has spent most of the last year on a tour bus?

[Tony Francis]

I suppose the ad is aimed at me. Personally, I think it is stupid, and only shows the vacuous nature of the Republicans. If McCain would actually set forth a viable plan and promote it in a coherent fashion, we might have a little more confidence in him. It is amusing to see the Obama supporters criticize McCain and the Republicans. "Change we can believe in" and "We are the people we have been waiting for." - Yeah, that's good, deep intellectual stuff from the left! It has done the impossible: made McCain actually seem viable.

[Barron]

This ad speaks right at the heart of the very thing that most Americans are concerned with: Higher taxes and the funding of terrorism by continuing to buy foreign oil.

I am taxed 1/3 of my paycheck in my home state of North Carolina I pay a $.24 per gallon tax on gasoline. You think I want to pay MORE taxes? Oil prices are going up, terrorist are continuing to look for ways to defeat my country...why should we continue to put money in their pockets by purchasing foreign oil?

Further, make no mistake about it. The majority party in the Congress and Senate is Democrat. While everyone wants to point the finger at McCain and the Republicans for the pitfalls in our economy, they quickly forget that Obama is a member of the same Democrat controlled Senate that is driving our economy into the ground.

[Chuckles]

All Obama has to do to counter this junk is tell the American public that it was thought up by Bush's man from the 2004 election. Which it was. Keep linking McCain to Bush and you walk into the White House. Fortunately for Obama, McCain keeps hiring them. Sure Americans are fat, stupid and lazy (I'm none of the above but proudly American), yet they do have a good laugh at bad political ads. Just look at Hillary's late night phone call add. That fell flat, too.

[JOHN CHUCKMAN, TORONTO]

"I honestly wonder if the McCain people know what they are doing."

The answer, clearly, is no.

Of course, it isn't just "the McCain people," it is John McCain himself.

See this:

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/stupid_john_mccain.html#more

[Suni Rafa]

Very effective. Unfortunately Paris Hilton is not standing -- or should I say lying down -- for the presidency.

[larry]

To Andy from Larry.You say Its comments and grammer like yours that makes us in middle America look stupid.
No mate its you go to a dictionary.

[Daphne Kenward]

With an economy in the mess it's in all these stupid accusations, should be the last thing on McCains mind. McCain needs to focus on his policies, anmd let Obama focus on his.

We have 10 years from the point of no return, relating to global warming. 10 years time the planet will be in melt down, diging oil or not digging oil will make no difference to oil prices, because it will not come on stream for 10 -15 years.

What is required is renewables and long term projects to reduce emmission and polution of the environment. Or face HUMAN EXTINTION.

[Kate Brooke]

Its the debates stupid. If you make ack that this guy is the biggest rockstar in the world and he holds his own or better still beats you in the debates than what he the choice for voters? A rockstar with has the intelligence and an old man that knows a few things but not everything, who will the voters choose. If i was a betting man, i will put my money on the prediction that obama will not LOSE any of the debates to mccain

[chris]

wow, $.24 a gallon, that must really hurt. we were paying about $2.50 a gallon, and that was in september last year. who knows what we are paying now, maybe $2.80.

http://www.petrolprices.com/fuel-tax.html

its not america versus the world you idiot, its the world against people like you who dont understand that. a little more thinking and a little less watching Fox might help you realise that. The terrrorism thing, how many terrorists do you know? how many do you know who go around fist pumping? whats a terrorist fist pump? obviously that wasnt you who said that, but these people pollute your thinking.

your economy has been going down sice bush got in power 8 years ago, thats why he gave you all some money, remember that? do you remember how that didnt work?
im from the uk so i dont know much about US politics but i do know that democrats only won majorities in both houses 2 years ago. so how do you explain the other 6 years.

i have been to your country, its great. but i think you are being irrational with your sentiments towards the democrats. the world is out there and its not too bad. Get a passport and go and see it! you might be pleasantly surprised!

anyway, peace xx

[Sarah N]

When I first saw this advert I thought it was a cheap, teenage made video which was placed on youtube and was surprised and quite disappointed that McCain had to stoop so low and fail miserably to gain support. Whether you support Obama or not is ones own decision but surely McCain's party could produce a better commercial to appeal to American voters.

[Sean Brinkley]

This McCain ad is aimed at independent voters, not at his GOP base who already believe anything & everything bad they hear about Obama. So the question is how effective is this ad with undecided voters who, almost by definition, are less partisan & more thoughtful in their decision-making. I can't speak for them but I'll try anyway -- they're offended by McCain who promised an honorable campaign, not one sullied by personal smears & attacks. It's only late July and McCain is already going down the negative road. This smacks of desperation, a campaign which has no ideas. If anything this ad says "don't vote for Obama, people like him." Pre-teens on youtube could do better.

[Marty Price]

I am a high schooladministrator.taught and still teach history. This appeals to the 6th grade literacy that has become education in my country today.
For those Republicans who think Bush lowered taxes, well if you made under a $100,000 you probably saved 4-5 grand. His class the super rich saved billions while they ran a 130 billion surplus into the ground, and are leaving us a half trillion in debt. I did not mention that his parties deregualtion of banking laws have driven inflation for commodities like gasoline up 200% in 8 years. Every dollar you thought you saved was taken back in the most insidious way!

[Bernie]

"To Andy from Larry.You say Its comments and grammer like yours that makes us in middle America look stupid.
No mate its you go to a dictionary"

Aw, Larry. You did it again. Time to give up.

[Maureen]

There is a growing consensus in the USA that Barack Obama is the empty suit "American Idol" President who prefers being a celebrity over discussing those dry and often unpopular substantive issues important to Americans. Perhaps this is done to overcome his clear lack of experience. Many in the US now refer to him as the PRESUMPTUOUS Democratic Presidential Nominee rather than the correct term "Presumptive". Clearly many feel there is more to leading a huge nation than giving a well prepared speech plus Barack Obama's arrogance is really becoming a turn off to a growing number of voters. This is reflected in his current poll numbers which (despite the Obama World Tour) place him in a statistical dead heat with Republican John McCain. There is still time for Obama to rectify this but the question is "Does he want to?"

[G]

What a pointless 'message' and waste of thirty seconds of advertising. If McCain approved this, then he really is stupid. WHen you think of all the really bad points he could have made about Obama, you have to shake your head and laugh at his poor advisors. A crowd of thousands shouting their support, popstars who appeal to the younger voter on friendly terms with Obama. THe narrative and video are completely separate- when facts and figures could have been used to back the amount of money America could save on offshore drilling... you know to actually prove a point.
Pointless.

[lois]

McCain needs to grow up.
He is acting like a 3 year old

No, forget that, a 3 year old have more sense than that.

[Audacity of Liberal Idiocy]

Well, the polls tell the story, and the Obama fans are sounding desperate.

McCain people maybe be exasperated at the McCain campaign, yet he's holding his own while Obama is 20 points behind where he should be.

You foreigners, with your goofy, laughable analysis, don't get it: Americans don't find 200,000 Germans cheering Obama charming. We are quite used to protests everytime we show up. That Europe suddently loves Obama has a very clear message: He's not one of 'us'. They don't like 'us'. They like 'him'. 'He' can't be trusted with 'our' interests. He represents 'their' interests.

It's very simple - even for you 'oh-so-smart' morons.

BTW, 'rednecks' aka 'working class whites' are part of the Democrat base. It's no wonder Obama can't pull away from McCain when the 'Liberal Elitist' wing of the Democratic party spends all its time insulting the very people who should be its natural voters (union workers). McCain doesn't need to do much - just remind us he still has a pulse really - you're defeating yourselves.

This comment board has been taken over by a gaggle of self-righteous idiots.

[bumblebee]

Only a coupe of words:

Poor McCain if this is all he can come up with

[Ian W. Platt]

It is increasingly interesting to watch democracy at work in the USA, even if its primarily driven by money. Here in the UK we have had an elected dictatorship for many years, but for the last twelve months an unelected dictatorship, with the Labour Party at this very minute considering foisting a new unelected dictatorship on us. Our democracy is driven by the greed and ambition of the political classes who en masse believe they know how to collect and spend your money better than you do. Their arrogance is breathtaking and their conceit knows no bounds. Less Government is better Government. anyone with half a brain knows that. The dreaded Bill Clinton was a very successful domestic President because he spent most of his time dealing with Foreign affairs and the rest of his time chasing skirt, so instead of interfering in business and people's lives he enjoyed himself and did very little governing. Yes, it was the economy stupid, but the clever thing was not to interfere and the American people delivered a budget surplus. You will remember that at the beginning he put Hillary in charge of Health reform and she is a potential micro-manager if ever I saw one. She failed and ran away. So where does that leave you good people in America. Its difficult to say. At present it looks like Obama will try to manage tactically rather than strategically and unless he's surrounded by very good people will quickly disappear up his own bottom along with his "change". McCain is bound to be tired, he's nearly as old as I am, so if you're lucky he will take the right strategic decisions and then go to sleep. That could be a result for you all. I remember General Eisenhower being interviewed at the end of WW2 and assuring the British interviewer that he had no interest in politics. When he was elected President I, a young boy, thought "What a lie, that proved to be". But I was wrong he was interested in being elected President and smiling a lot and playing golf, nothing to do with politics, and he was a very successful President. Anyway at least you Americans can influence something, here we can do nothing but take to the streets and we're reluctant to do that. We did before the Iraq war and it had no effect.
Good Luck
Ian Platt - Northants, UK

[Will]

I'd swear that's the McCains oven chips logo that flashes up at the end.

[Marco Borg]

Any idiot can waffle about breaking walls between Muslims and Christians etc but it takes a certain situation and a certain kind of listener to "yes we can it"

The point is that all the black Americans want to vote for him because he is black, and about 27-30% of white Americans want to vote for him again precisely because he is black. (This could be for a variety of reasons: guilt, naivité, under-graduate snobbery at the red-necks ie white working class people, Obama as an educated hip-hopper etc.) The special situation is that the media-owners, who are neither black nor white, want Obama to win. The majority of Westerners know that Islam is incompatible with Western culture but this can be clouded over.

The advert is not strong enough and McCain's people could have made a more emphatic message because people know its true. They can also emphasise the issue of proposed reparations to blacks, tsunami transfers of money to African rulers, witholding of offshore drilling for oil etc.

They can also point out that the Obama-like political correctness and greed which made possible loaning chunks of money to
no-hopers(mostly black) which resulted in the desperate American and world sub-prime economic situation is likely to be amplified should Obama be elected president.

[Roxanne]

Yesterday I was listening to a McCain speech and town hall meeting - and it was depressing. It sounded like a constant drone of negativity on Obama - I thought a little bit of an attack was enough - but to use all the time attacking your opponent - shows there are underlying problems with the McCain campaign.
Today - I listened to Obama and gave the McCain speech a miss. Obama's got vision!

This ad was a bit weak - it acknowledges that Obama is well liked - but fumbles to place it in a context - which could be used to discredit Sen. Obama.

Britney and Paris Hilton should have never appeared in his ad - it was a weird connection. And frankly - I think it was wrong.

The McCain camp has got to be worried. So rather than say - hey look what I can do for you that's different and new - and that can inspire hope - it's drag Obama through the mud for the wonderful and excellent job he is doing in getting through just such a positive, inspiring and visionary message.

[frenchreader]

The answer is simple : GWB has endorsed McCain. Mission accomplished. Bring them on.

[Janis]

...Yes, the McCain ad is a little cheesy...I can't help wondering why the Republicans don't go after that buffoon Obama in earnest. I saw him state he had already campaigned in 57 states. Then he paused..we assumed to correct himself. Instead, he added that he had only 2 more to go. Another time I saw him declare that we needed a lot more Arabic speakers for Afghanistan. When this guy doesn't have a teleprompter or a prepared text, he's lost. But he keeps getting away with it! Maybe not a big deal, but I keep remembering how poor Dan Quayle was endlessly ridiculed by the media for mis-spelling potatoes...

[Steven]

David Moss's second comment here nails it. Comparing the virgin Britney's fall and decline with Obama is a perfect message of the vacuity of celebrity.

McCain's people are getting it right. In difficult times people don't want change, they want security. While all you europeans fawn over the new guy, Americans (who are the people who really count in this election) are unlikely to vote for someone with no experience whose best ideas are to raise taxes. McCain will steadily erode Obama's lead over the next few months. It will be too easy to show up Obama's inexperience. Obama will be very lucky to win in November.

[humblesage]

This is a low blow that missed. Amazingly poor quality.

[Craig]

Well if the overspending Republican's didn't put our country in record debt and deficit positions there would be no need for raising taxes. Do you suggest that we keep putting the debt on national credit card. American's are smart enough to know that Obama is taking the fiscally responsible road, where McCain has cowered to the conservative base and will continue to threaten America's economic health with the failed Republican tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations while increasing spending; which is economic suicide.

As for off-shore drilling, it won't decrease the price of oil. It's a free market run in part by an oil cartel, even American producers will sell to the highest bidder, there will be no discount for American's. Canada for instance is our largest supplier of foreign oil and a net exporter and their citizen's (despite over supply) still pay the world price.

Finally, I am from Texas and down here we know the oil companies have wells in the Gulf they have capped from years ago when it wasn't profitable enough to take the oil from them. Well it is profitable enough now to uncap them, but they won't because politically they want this movement for more offshore drilling to work in their favor.

As for the ad, thank you McCain for bringing the images of a Presidental Obama to the American people, his campaign fund thanks you to for the money you've saved them.

[Leslie]

I agree that the ad targets working class voters who voted for Hilary, especially those who don't like Hollywood's liberal values. Apparently, Paris Hilton's parents donated a substantial amount to McCain and aren't happy about this ad.

BTW, Obama has never said he would tax electricity. The McCain campaign pulled that one out of a hat because they know that their true constituency is easily lead and feeling vulnerable with higher energy prices.

[J Morrison]

Serious: Do these presidential candidates have to undertake any sort of competitive written examination and submit CVs to ensure they are the best for the job?
Trivia: Obama sounds too like Osama (we know who he is), and someone please tell me why a person with just a little (say a quarter or an eighth) caucasian ancestry is not referred to as 'white', when a person with just a little african ancestry is referred to as 'black?
McCain makes good french fries (potato chips) in the UK - is he in the same business?

[Alex]

I think the ad gets the point across quite well actually.

I think it's less pathetic than the Jesse Jackson and Obama fiascos, which look stupid to the rest of the world really.

[Grand_Marquis]

I see a parody of this has already been created:

http://www.iklipz.com/MovieDetail.aspx?MovieID=2dcdee63-0f9c-45ce-9064-92e6a9331acf

Ahh, the internet. :P

[Glen]

It is a bit heavy handed, but that is what buys the response desired. Look at the latest cover of Ebony: Obama steps out of his car, flashing a cool designer suit and shades, declared the new "black cool." What's does it have to do with international problems, the war, taxes and policy? Nothing, but it sells to the simple mind. Politics is a rich man's game, and a popularity contest. Always has been always will be. Thank goodness the founding fathers limite the powers of the executive branch to congressional approval.

I would also like to address one comment from another reader, referrring to Viet Nam as an "illeagal war." Messy? Unjustified? Wrong headed? Maybe. Illegal? It was not a declared "war." So lets not abuse wording. In truth, no war is legal, ever. It is large scale murder, rape and robbery for at least one side. Keep in mind "The Good War", WWII. Germany never attacked the US but we almost bombed it into the Middle Ages. It's all perspective, just like political advertising.

[Jo]

This ad was, for those who know better, a complete failure for the McCain campaign. Those intelligent enough know that simply because Barack is popular does not mean he can’t lead. He is popular because of his character, intelligence, and message. And stating that he is AGAINST off-shore drilling because he is FOR foreign oil is an under-handed, simple minded tactic. It’s like polling people about whether they like Coke or Pepsi … I like Dr. Pepper. There are more choices than foreign dependence or domestic mistakes when it comes to energy.

And if you think that taxes aren’t going to be raised by a Republic White House you are truly ignorant. Also, wasn’t the Democratic Senate a rather recent development? How is it that they are the ones driving the economy into the ground?

Obama is correct in asking if this is what the American people deserve; a reality TV style attack on one of the most serious decisions our country may ever collectively make.

[cj]

That ad was a Carl Rove wannabee's take on the cable show "Scare Tactics." I'm not middle America, and I'm not elitist (the Bush Family are elites). We would have been better off if W would have given the reigns over to his father, and just called it a day, and then went back to his Crawford "Ranch" and cut some trees up with his chainsaw, and played with his dog.

People need to step up and take the risk -- from great risk comes great reward. Al Gore for veep2!!!!

[Max]

OMG I love Britney!

I'm surprised Brit and Paris haven't sued McCain for comparing Obama to them.

oh, and leave Britney alone!

[peacepup]

Mc Cain is just another repuppet of the monied elite. He's a scoundrel, who abandoned his wife after her auto accident. He finished 884th out of 889 in his USNA class. He never would have gotten in the academy w/o his admiral daddy's influence. He caused the worst fire ever aboard a USN ship by hotdogging as a piss poor pilot. It's just sad to see how many americans are so gullible to nominate another incompetent who will be a marionette for the NWO in the unlikely event the corrupted electoral system is able to steal another election from the people.

[Joyce O'Malley]

The republicans are running scared!

[Eduardo]

I do agree with it, it shows what Barack is up to, insted of working out american issues, he wants to look like a star, and the worst thing, abroad!

[Giddie]

I thought one must be popular with the people to win. Can being popular in taking office of president be comparable to a celebrity popularity? I think that is the judgement of McCain who voted to go to Iraq and is now distracting Americans with surge thing as if the war was legal. But anyway gullible populace buy into this and four more years of factory closing down, workers losing jobs, economy shrinking further seems inevitable as McCain will force Americans to vote for him. But anyway the world can actually try to search for another superpower that it can identify with. Factories are being opened in China while in America, they are closing down. Chinese are getting jobs while Americans are losing. Thanks to republicans "good" policy.

[Keith S]

Paris Hilton's parents donate the maximum legal amount to the McCain campaign.

Then McCain repays their kindness by trashing their daughter in advertisements on national TV.

[Rochelle Patterson]

you know when someone is in a losing situation when they start flinging mud...(Redneck politics) McCain needs to focus on Americas future

Obama for President he young and dynamic and understands foreign politics...we need a united world and a progressive America

[Shirley]

Dear Larry
Andy is right. Your initial post was almost incoherent and barely intelligible. Please learn how to use clauses and punctuation (or just learn to type).
The content of your post is ignorant and shows you don't have the knowledge of European politics and history to really make an informed comment. European adulation of politicians - are you referring to Berlusconni's brief soujourn as a cruise-ship crooner or those barrels of charisma such as Brian Cowan, Jan Peter Balkenende or Jens Stoltenberg.
Or........oh, I get it! You're talking about the dark days of fascism. Hate to break it you Larry, but we've moved on since 1939. And please don't come back and post some jingoistic tripe about the U.S role in W.W.II unless you've done some reading and thinking (of books, not some right wing blogs or wikipedia)and can make a contribution that reflects the complexity of the topic and some genuine insight. Politics in Europe these days is less about rostums and rallies and more about agricultural subsidies,pension planning and sustainable energy projects. There are a few show-boaters and some very questionable characters but they are recognised as such. It's mind-numbingly tedious - thank goodness!

[pATREUS]

Aren't Germans the biggest ethnic group in the US?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Census-2000-Data-Top-US-Ancestries-by-County.jpg

[Jim Hunt (UK)]

Vote for Tony Blair!

[Prentia]

J Morrison says at 23:33: "someone please tell me why a person with just a little (say a quarter or an eighth) caucasian ancestry is not referred to as 'white', when a person with just a little african ancestry is referred to as 'black?"

Simple - the one drop rule - invented by whites during slavery and now moaned about by whites. You make up the rules and now you can't play the game - diddums.

[Angela]

Ummm, Prentia - I think that J Morrison was pointing out the idiocy of the rule/convention and maybe suggesting that we should try and move forward from it.

[Faisal]

Prentia - what makes you think that J. Morrison is white? Or that he was responsible for the "one drop rule" but that's a WHOLE other topic................

[pepperseed]

can somone please edit the video and add McSane wife to it

[Stephen Rothbart]

I thought the ad highlighted the points well. Obama - media star who wants to raise taxes and has a policy to keep the US buying more foreign oil. Short and to the point.

Incidentally to the guy who said Germany never attacked the US in WW2, it was they who declared war on America. Does that count as being an attack? Let me think....

[Guy Rowland]

Bring opular in Germany never did Dvid Hasselhoff any harm. Is there a law that says the US President has to be an idiot that no one likes?

[bob]

Funny, when I see Senator Obama lately I also get the superstar thoughts. I keep expecting him to do the Spears flash getting in and out of car. I wonder as his head swells will he continue to wear underwear?

[Alex Ford]

It funny when the son of a single mother who had fed her children on food stamps on occassion is called an ''Elitist'' by the son of a navy Admiral who has lived a previledge life.... you couldn't make it up.

As for the ad - So cheap and childish. I taught Paris Hilton parents donate to the McCain camp... I guess they would be very happy to see him use their daughter to score political cheap points.

The other Ad - Blaming Obama for the high price of oil is the worst.
To be fair he was going for the stupid vote on that one. I mean a jnr snr from illinois is to blame for the high price of oil.

Well but McCain does not speak for his campaign ..lol what an idiot.

How is it possible for the most powerful country in the world to elect someone who came 895 out of 899 in his graduating class to represent their party.... or wait George Bush was elected twice...scratch that

[Bryan]

This ad was written for Dems. who voted for Hillary. The primary showed that white middle class Dems are not comfortable with Obama for many different reasons. This ad hit on one of those. (It would seem that the Ludicris song would would also be good for McCain since it plays into the one Fears that the Dem voters showed in the Primary). This election is not about getting out the base its about winning the White Middle Class MidWestern Dems.

[Faisal]

Stephen
Yes, Germany did declare war on Germany (well googled, son). At least it helped galvinise opinion on the whole "Nazism.....should we be bothered?" question that had been doing the rounds since around 1939.

[Ryan in Texas]

Just remember, Europe and the rest of the world, we Americans get a little uncomfortable when you and yours lavish praise upon and celebrate (almost to a point bordering on mental illness) a candidate running for office OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. It's not your country, so stay out of our affairs.

Personally, I feel that the EU and the rest of the world is envious of America's wealth and power and, in some cases, openly hostile to us.

We just really don't think you all have our best interests in mind.

Cheers!

[nu]

the way they filmed him makes him look like some mental african leader with his chanting goons. could that also be because he is a man of colour and all the rest is just puff? the fact he's a man of two colours seems to be besides the point, nobody ever calls him white but he's as white as me and halle berry and that's why, at the end of the day, i think he'll loose.

[Faisal]

Ryan
A couple of suggestions
1. Stop reading what the foreign press has to say. It should be really easy (how did you find "The Times Online" in the first place). Comment is free and does not constitute interference but is often instructive and entertaining.
2. Come and visit us here in Europe (Europe and the E.U. are two different things, btw but you did include the rest of the world so nobody can accuse you of being selective)because you've obviously not travelled much. Go and immerse yourself in the cultures, study the histories, sample the food, chat to the locals. You'll very soon notice that Europe has a richness, a depth and diversity that should help you to realise that Europeans have very little to be jealous of.

[Kimm, MIDWEST BORN, BRED & YET I DO HAVE A BRAIN!]

if anything the mccain camp gave the american public too much credit. judging by the comments here we are a bunch of idiots seeing as how 90% of u cant grasp the fact that the message is that just cause everyone talks about you and "likes" you doesnt mean you are ready to run anything. Britney is a mess, but her records fly off the shelf, Paris is, well, Paris but she's a media magnet. The point is that Obama can be treated like Bono but that doesnt mean he's ready to lead this nation...As a mattar of fact, I believe that was actually SAID in the ad. Not that complicated, folks. Really, it makes me ill that so MANY people are so caught up in a guy that we kno nothing about. Change is not always a good thing, Hitler changed things, did he not? And he was an amazing public speaker as well, Germans loved him, too. (To be clear, I'm 100% NOT saying Obama is anything like Hitler, just making a point that we're voting for a Change and yet we've no idea what that 'Change' entails or how we're going to get there. The only thing we do kno is the man gives a wicked good speech and we can bank on $5/gall gas!)

[Tony]

Well, it appears as if a candidate having international respect and support is just about the last thing US voters want - if the McCain advertisment is to be believed. There are so many valid areas to challange Obama on - what are these changes he will be making and how are they going to be paid for are two simple examples - and yet it comes to this...Very sad. This could be a fantastic campaign giving the US public a real choice between two candidates with very different backgrounds and visions but it looks like it will just be a mud slinging brawl with lots of name calling and muck throwing.

[LAZ2008]

As I see it, most Americans will stupidly follow the heard of sheep and vote for Obama what a shame. The same heard who will have voted for Obama will be complaining down the road about how bad he is doing...WOW! Didn't see that coming!

[LIZBETH]

Dear Kimm and other Mid-west heavy thinkers. We know you have a brain but, it will accompany you to the gas pump as you eventually pay $5. per gallon for gas. It does not matter whom you elect, this WILL happen. It is finite. whether you use your own oil or import. Wish my own, and other countries, would stop exporting our gas at such low prices and the U.S. was obliged to pay the correct price. We all need a reality check on the politics of power and start to use a little common sense.
I expect the McCain ad is just an attempt to appear relevant.
A nore complex background would be a good thing to have in a President.

[Blondshag]

GREAT AD.

Another ad. needs to be done on OBAMA -- so the American voter finally kowns who the real Barack Hussein Obama is.

GO HILLARY!!!!!
GO HILLARY!!!!!

[Rambo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CazKanlYDg

John McCain Losing His Cool
on Nam POW families as he shuts committee down. Other video with buddy John Kerry walk out on Ross Perot and Gen Corso's testimony of other Korea vets as well "I thought this was a committee of 12, looks like committee of 1 !"(Korean Pilot, crowd claps)

She busted McCain for cover up and he blew his top, truth hurts. Buddy Kerry had received $Millions from Nam contracts to Heinz, both Kerry & Heinz family are Skulls.

McCain dumped 1st wife married into Myer Lanskey bootlegging empire.
Ever wonder how Cindy got all those Bud shares ?

She recently made millions from sale of Bud Co. to Belgium Beers.

[Ken]

For someone who doesn't believe we eveolved from monkeys, he throws an awful lot of poo.
Is America not ashamed of this type of politics, Obama doesn't appear to be retaliating, and people should vote him in simply on the strength of character he is displaying in not doing so. It is not simply the fact that you win but the way in which you do so that is important, does Zimbabwe not demonstrate that?

[Elene]

I think this video proves the poor character of McCain. I'd rather be interested in his plans and ideas than him throwing dirt on his opposite. That just proves he has nothing intelligent to ad. Unfortunaltely, I think people might buy the message of this video, it has simple statings, for simple people...

[danny]

if this ad was so stupid, why did the race get even closer after this ad was aired. It worked! and trust me, this ad this nothing compared to what they have in store for obama. That republican attack machine will make even a war hero ( j.kerry) look like the most disgusting politician ever.

[David Moss]

Time now, perhaps, to return to the original question. Is the McCain video successful? Some of us say yes, some no. Who is right?

We now know the answer. According to the Guardian*, the matter is settled:

"John McCain's ad comparing Barack Obama to Paris and Britney is an effective attack on Obama's greatest strength."

So now we know.

End of debate.

Or is it?

Look what we've all missed! According to the Guardian**:

"By linking Barack Obama with Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, Republicans tap racist fears of black men and white women."

----------

* http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/01/uselections2008.advertising

** http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/01/johnmccain.uselections2008

[Devon]

I agree, McCain is racists. Anybody who doesn't vote Obama is racists.

[Joe DimJr]

Here are two points that many people are missing. First off, true conservatives are not happy with either candidate. McCain is not exactly getting the base exited over here. Secondly, Obama is admittedly a rock star. He has even just recently admitted that people are in love with the 'idea' of him. What you have is a flamboyant, good looking man running against a rather crusty career politician. The same people who waste time voting on American Idol are those propelling Obama to the Presidency. That was simply McCain's point.

[Arnaud charles]

Mc Cain's camp have sent a positive message in favor Obama, their video means if Mc Cain doesn't like Obama to be President the people do, including Britney Spears,Paris Hilton...
Vox populi,vox dei

[reason]

Great video. Funny and more importantly it gets a ton of free airtime because everyone is talking about it.

The McCain campaign finally is getting it together. Obama's poll numbers are starting to freefall and all the leftwing media types can't stop crying about it.

What people don't seem to understand about america is that most of us despise the media here and if our media starts to push something on us we resent it. Obama is going to lose in a big way.

ur momma befor obama he's a idiot!!!!!

[Mike Couch]

the world hopes that America has the balls to vote for a man of the 21st century,not a poor imitation of the Bush dynasty

[GEAH]

Let's face it. Obama is an empty suit, utterly lacking in practical experience to lead a superpower in treacherous times.

This ad points that out, though I doubt that the people who need to have that explained to them will actually get it.

[Keith S]

The American news media love a close race: It is great for their ratings, and great for their salaries.

So they report Roveish fairy tales as though they were truth. They cause a war genuine war hero like Kerry to loose to a pair of cowardly draft dodgers.

And now they'll cause a civil rights hero to loose to a gold digging wife dumping airman whose primary qualification as commander in chief is having been shot down in a war the USA lost.

To make matters worse, the US news media is failing to report the extent of McCain's memory lapses and outbursts of temper.

For democracy to work, US voters have to be told the truth so they can decide if its cracking under pressure, Alzheimers, or if flakiness is a desirable natural characteristic of a US president.

The US doesn't need a heroic movie-star media-darling president like McCain.

The US and the world need a highly intelligent leader who knows how to consult and understand experts in various fields. In other words, Obama.

Obama is a star because he's smart.

McCain is a star because he's been promoted as such for years.

[Keith S]

The American people have already seen what it means when a Republican promotes himself on the basis of "shared moral values".

It means he thinks your a lying, cowardly draft dodging, warmonger too.

Now the Republican candidate thinks you are a gold-digging opportunist with a shaky memory and a quick vicious temper.