Before mcCain started using the 'celebrity' smear the mainstream media was consistently using 'rockstar' derisively to describe Obama's mass appeal to the citizenry. So, of course, it will stick.

Both descriptors are disdainful of his popularity and connote that popularity with meaningless pop culture phenomenon.

Something like "I wish I had the acting career John's had. He's been in Wedding Crashers and 24. I've been on SNL but he's hosted an entire episode!"

Then, to really twist the knife, "He also acts like he's committed to getting us out of Iraq."

Good news, the estimable Chuck Todd is now pointing out McCain's celebrity on his First Read blog.

Funny I was just thinking how awkward the whole phrasing is: "Biggest celebrity in the world . . ." doesn't roll of the tongue and is pretty awkward. Instead of biggest celebrity, why not do a parody of Obama on The Simple Life or call him a rock star on a world tour or portray his bid for the White House as a reality TV bit.

I get that the "celebrity" angle may have some traction but it could be sooo much better done. McCain's press people really suck.
I get that the "celebrity" angle may have some traction but it could be sooo much better done. McCain's press people really suck.

Well said. On the other hand, since when are most Americans allergic to celebrities?

And, upon what empirical evidence do you base this flat contention that the celibrity epithet is "very effective?"

The big problem is that he is mixing too messages: that obama is insubstantial inthe way celebrities are, and he is worng on policy. The problem is that Mccain's accusation: higher taxes, more government= less jobs is contradicted by 8 years of experience. Big tax cuts, big spending increases (because of expensive , and misguided war)and the worst job growth record of any president in the last 50 years.

Bill Clinton's tax policy= one of the fastest job growth records in the last 50 years (and guess what, Carter's was even better).

Bush/McCain tax cuts for the rich= worst job growth record. It sucks to have to argue agsint facts like this.

McCain wants it to be about ideology, but giant deficits, inflation, and a historically crappy jobs record will be a little too obvious to ignore.

Specially coming for the man who advocates free trade in places hurt like Ohio and Michigan.

The unions have to take this and hit him hard.

Typical GOP Laffer Curve BS. They constantly lie about any tax cut creating jobs, when the facts show otherwise.

The idea that more government spending leads to job losses is even more ridiculous. Who does John McCain thinks pays all those highway workers?

Obama should hit him again on ignorance. I bet he can get some swing voters using an American greatness and not wanting to be stupid theme. We can remain competitive with the rest of the world, or we can wallow in our stupidity and fall behind.

That is an interesting question. But I'll also say that as a general rule in politics you want to depict your opponent with darker, dreary lighting, even if you have to manipulate the picture levels to get there.

Yes, I notice this. I also note how no one identifies shyt like that as 'playing the race card' either...just like the Hilton/spears (known for being scantily clad) in the other ad were not ideentified as 'playing the race card' nor is calling the candidate 'presumptious' playing the race card' nor putting his face on the 100 dollar bill playing the race card when the GOP does it ..it is not 'playing the race card'

Only Obama can 'play the race card' after all even Bill Clinton says so!

The racemongering is so blatant that it is being 'inyourface' denied by white folks who like Gergen say..'get it' when they see this stuff labeling him as 'the one' 'celebrity' 'the messiah'.

The hypocrisy of white America when it comes to race is alive and well.

The newest twist is that racemongering and racebaiting doesn't mean you are a racist.

Kinda like Spears/Hilton..just cause you are scantily clad and have incidents where everyone in public knows you have no underwear on...it doesn't mean that you are a skank or a whore.

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!!

There are no racists in America...only race baiters and racemongerers like the GOP and the Clintons.

I think the Olympics is the perfect backdrop..to go for the GOLD in leadership ads.

They should show McCain talking about how he graduated 5th from the bottom in the Naval Academy..show Bush talking about his dismal academic scholarship and Cheney talking about how you can drop out of Yale and become VP...and then talk about their disastrous policies

Followed by...listing Obama as being a magna cum laude Columbia grad, harvard law review President and summa cum laude Harvard Law Grad.

Then ask isn't it time for America to once again have the best lead her?

We need Gold medal leadership...in the spirit of the Olympics

Isn't that the entire point of the Olympics..countries send their best?

WTF...why shouldn't America have the best and brightest when it comes to the Presidency, as well?

The Olympics provide the perfect background to highlight what is wrong with all this 'maverick mishap' leadership.

Whats the old joke, no body goes to that restaurant anymore its too crowded.

So now it's: nobody likes that guy because he so popular.

Maybe they are going for the introvert social outcast, slightly artsy kid in high school vote?

I agree. I don't get how conceding that your opponent is wildly popular is a good move for you.

Were the "celebrity" ads moving the polls, or was it the whole "race card" brouhaha? Personally, I'm pretty sure the McCain camp doesn't poll or test their messages so they see what gets a lot of press and figure they'll try it again.

Given that the polls are back where they were pre-Obama-abroad and pre-celebrity, I'm not sure any of this is affecting the fundamentals in the race. McCain is stuck at 43 percent. Obama has a 3-4 point lead. And the numbers move up or down a bit based on who is preceived as "winning."

"This is classic Rove - turn your opponents strength into their weakness."

That's nearly verbatim what I was going to post.

And, I'd add it's bizarre that popularity is made out to be a weakness. I think this Rovian tactic may have jumped the shark -- or the tracks.

And, to make the international support for Obama a negative is also a bit weird in these times when our nation has increasingly become a pariah.

I just hope the Obama camp doesn't respond in typical Dem fashion - ignore it and hope it goes away. they need to hit back hard.

I think the picot point inthe debate is pretty easy, and it doesn;t have to be a joke it just has to be humble. and the turnaround is to point out that the epithet is not an insult to Obama it is an insult to the people.

All he has to say is: John's been going around calling me a celebrity because lot's of people have come out to hear what we have to say [we, not I]. They have been coming out in droves because they know this country is heading in the wrong direction. They are coming out because they feel their leaders are not looking out for them, but for the special interest and big money donors. They are coming out because they want affordable access to health care. They want economic growth that benefits everyone , not just those at the top. they are coming out because they want a real energy policy, not poll-tested gimmicks designed not to solve problems but win elections. They are coming out because they want their sons and daughters and father and mothers to come home from a strategically misguided war...

On and on. I think that would be game set and match. It would be nice to see live in a debate when everyone is watching. Heck he doesn't even have to wait for McCain to say celebrity, which frankly id do not think he would dare in a debate. He can just put it in anywhere he wants now that McCain has force fed the electorate with the predicate.

Bazillionaire retreaded maul for a soulmate? OUCH!

Kathleen,

my sentiments exactly. And you know what? You've inspired me to donate more money to the Obama campaign. Can u still donate $5 to the campaign?