As someone who has been wringing his hands over these ads as being effective, I'm starting to think McCain has finally pushed it too far.

This could be the official sign: John McCain's "celebrity" ads have jumped the shark.

http://strategy08.wordpress.com

That's why it has to be turned from the race aspect to the "McCain doesn't care about how Americans care about this presidential election. Americans are excited to have actual change in Senator Obama, not more of the same in McCain.

McCain doesn't want you to care about this country, or the fact he sends American jobs overseas. (voice of American voter) I'm tired of John McCain making fun of my concern for this country. It's time to turn the tired old page, and vote for Senator Obama as our President who can move this country forward, not backwards."

dreary = dreamy?

Wow, that looks like the ad for the "Federal Service" in the movie Starship Troopers. (That is not a compliment)

That is a stupid add. Are we sure McCain did this and not one of his mentally stunted supporters?

This is really the dumbest political ad I've ever seen. Even the semi-subliminal tax hike line comes off as forced, irrelevant, and untrustworthy. All McCain can possibly be doing with these ads is trying to hold down the 68+ age group, and even at that, it may produce some defections.

McCain 08;
'Cause remember, they can't swim

So would McCain classify them as cunts like he
did his wife when she was concerned about his
looks.

I'm surprised they didn't use Cindy instead. And then add in Edwards and Bill to boot.

I am BO supporter.... but it seems as if these types of ads are working... wouldn't you all agree?

No audio here, but this is exactly one step removed from a McCain-financed (or eluded to) expose on the dating scene in Obama's Harvard/Columbia/Oberlin/high school life during which, statistically speaking, he was either rather shy and prudish or dating white women.

Whether McCain crosses that line or not was the line I drew in my mind some time ago as to whether or not he'd gone beyond the pale ("call me!" style) with the black man/white woman thing. Here's hoping this is as far as it goes because frankly Obama can't push back against racism without McCain winning the day as evidenced by the last manufactured dust-up.

Here's my recommendation to the Obama camp and supporters:
1. Go to rallies where McCain appears personally with a digital video camera.
2. Interview assembled supporters w/ two simple questions: "Why do you support John McCain?" "What would you say to a friend or family member who's going to vote for Barack Obama?"
3. Compile racist responses and distribute them

Unfortunately we're not at a point where you can combat racist imagery that's at all subtle. However, no one wants to be part of an advocacy group the contains outright racists, and exposing that part of McCain's coalition would help.

Tax hike for everyone making more than $42k? Are they really just allowed to lie about something is so clearly refutable?? And is this the time the masses are finally going to figure out that Republican tax policy does not benefit them??

And no, Lolo, I disagree that they are working. They are making him look like and obsessed, jealoour, grumpy old man. It still shocks me to see Paid for by John McCain on these ads. THIS is what America is longing for???

Eric - It's not "dreary" it's "dreamy." I mean, the ad itself is dreary - and idiotic - but the "joke" is that girls think he's dreamy.

And of course the women swooning over him are all white - on purpose. It's so that if the Obama campaign points that out OBAMA will be accused of playing the race card. That's their goal. They know it ties in to the Harold Ford ad. They WANT him to point it out. They WANT to goad him so they can say he's playing the race card. They're waiting to pounce on that one every chance they get.

This can't be a real ad, can it? The editing is unprofessional, and the script is completely over the top.

Green being the color of jealousy, it is now clear why McCain is partial to these kinds of ads. Obama's got the "Top Gun" hero status that jet fight pilots like McCain had during the Vietnam war. And that meant these pilots could score with any women they wanted. McCain ain't got that kind of appeal anymore, although he still had it enough when he was Obama's age that he could divorce and marry a rich blond 18 years younger. So McCain now projects onto Obama the kind of man McCain was when he was Obama's age.

This is a desperately sad ad on McCain's part.

There's no "I'm John McCain and I approve this ad" voice-over in this ad, although there is a paid for by John McCain 2008 at the end. A voice-over approval is a federal requirement.

Its on McCain's official youtube page so his people put it out. Now this is at the level of the Harold Ford ad.

With this ad, McSame is morphing into McLame.

Obama needs to hit hard with some key points and themes:

• John McCain can attack me all he wants. But that doesn't bother me because my campaign isn't about me - and it isn't about John McCain - it's about YOU. My voice is nothing without yours. I am merely the loud-speaker for your hopes and dreams for our nation.

• People are not excited by me, Obama, the person. They're excited because they have hope. And hope for one's future, for the American Dream, and for our country is worth getting excited about.

• If John McCain wants to belittle your enthusiasm by comparing crowds of concerned and committed citizens such as yourselves, to a flock of signature-seeking groupies, then shame on him. He knows better. This isn't about red-carpets and paparazzi, this is about our nation's future - about your future.

• John McCain wants to change the subject, because straight talk isn't his friend any more. John McCain 'can't handle the truth', and the truth is, there are only two choices facing the American public this November: more of the same, or change.

• No matter how low John McCain and his handlers want to take this campaign, I will not go there. I will continue to champion the issues that matter to you, and to address the difficult challenges our nation faces. That's both change you can believe in, and the straight-talk you deserve.

Hammer those points home.

Hot Chicks Dig Obama

Not really. I've seen some of you. Ick. One word of advice: Waxing.

And for God's sake, stop tying yourselves in knots looking for racism in every ad! Just because the ad is anti-Obama does NOT mean it's racist! By your convoluted logic, any ad that's anti-McSame is automatically anti-white!

The proper response from Obama camp should include an ad featuring a variety of his supporters, young and old, explaining on camera the serious reasons they support him for President. I do think he needs to place the focus more on the human, popular, reasons that this election -- and his candidacy -- matter. Theda S.

Every day that they put out this crap, JMc's campaign looks less and less serious and legitimate. I really think this is mainly born of desperation. I suspect that McCain's people know that if the spotlight is put on their man, it is actually to their dis-advantage, see: multiple gaffes. These ads almost come across as a desperate diversion tactic, trying to goad Obama into a fight over stupid, inconsequential topics. To that end, I think the fact that O's camp is refusing to take the bait too eagerly,and taking their time, and then hitting them back with not so much anger as ridicule, shouls work just fine.

Seriously, please stop. This isn't even close to "Fording" and as a Democrat I am getting kind of sick of hearing this from our side. It's playing straight in to McCain's hands. What y'all are looking for is a campaign that criticizes only issues when it comes to the Republicans. It will just never happen. As far as criticisms go, they are mocking the extremities of Obama love, which I am tempted to do from time to time myself. The only way an ad like this gets ANY traction is because the indignancy brigade gets ginned up, the press picks it up and we're off to the races. Your need to be self-righteous is precisely why McCain can get away with not actually spending money on ads.

The easiest way to win this election is avoid the metadebate, stop criticizing McCain's tactics and move on to policy and issues. If something is truly racist it will get out there, but this is yet another example of a situation that is just way too ambiguous to support those charges in any way. But, of course, this will give Team McCain yet another opportunity to go on TV and claim that Obama is trying to make this campaign about race. That's how we lose.

I don't know why I find this ad so depressing, but I do. I guess it's because he's not only going after Obama, he's going after regular, everyday people who are actually excited about his candidacy. He's demeaning those of us who support Obama just as much as he is demeaning Obama.

I think you meant to say it may cause some defecations...

Fording or no, this has got to be the World's Worst Campaign Ad EVER. For christ sake, any self-respecting republican with half a brain, a rare breed these days, should be moved to vote for Obama after seeing this stinking pile of dung.

"Vote for me because everyone likes the other guy!"

This should be repeated as their strategy over and over again....that and the line from the new DNC ad - "We interrupt this negative ad to bring you the truth."

New TPM post: McCain likely plagarized passages from wikepedia to insert in his sustantive policy speech regarding Georgia. I think this is why his camp would like to turn this into a juvenile "yo mama.." insult-fest. That seems to be their only (slim) hope.

I think fogu2 wrote the script for this ad. He's certainly lame enough.

Nobody is paying attention to these ads anymore. McCains tanking in the state and national polls so he's trying get attention the best way he and his dumb ass campaign knows who-and thats acting like an ass.

Look, again, the more we discuss this and get angry about this the more hits this post will get. In turn the more the MSM will pay attention and thus the more times it will appear on television. It's just not worth the ruckus, which seems to have been effective throughout the campaign.

More on this: http://airingofthegrievances.blogspot.com/2008/08/free-advertising-just-act-indignant-jm.html

Ok, a 527, maybe. But the McCain itself??? Now that is some freaking balls. And they all but throw away any pretenses and just put out there for you: "hot chicks dig Obama" following a series of fwhite women swooning over Obama.

The last ad was just too subtle I guess.

Humorless progressive idiots:
If Obama want to end the celebrity campaign he has done the worst thing possible trying to call McCain a celebrity.

What he should do is agree that he' a celebrity and show a little self-deprecating humor. But he's too arrogant for that and you all too politically correct.

Score:
McCain: +2
Obama: -4

I can't wait for the Obama counter add.
Chicks that are not hot, dig McCain!

My full response to this ad, if anyone is so interested:

http://www.thepersonalispolitical.com/2008/08/mccains-latest-ad-absolutely-childish.html

McCain, McLame! He's doing silly ads so that he can seem young! That's funny!

I think the ad is sexist, racist and it is insulting to all of Obama's supporters -- especially the younger voters!

Those of you who argue the McCain camp want voters to perceive Obama as a "fad" are correct also.

The gals are portrayed as air-heads who know nothing about Obama -- but .... who knows what they really said -- was it edited or taken out of context ... were they asked what physical characteristic did they find appealing or perhaps they paid the girls ...

who knows ....

I put nothing past the rovian-mean-machine.

It reminds me of the [parents'] fear of Elvis when he first came on the scene ... and groups such as The Temptations, etc...

That might explain where McCain got the idea....

Look, if Obama can fill up a taco bell across town when it's raining, he must be magic and will do wonders for our economy.

McCain is a premature sore loser and these sour grapes grumpy old man ads are going to backfire... hot chicks dig Obama is so not a reason to vote for McCain.

The only feigning that McCain does is feigning that he has any brains. His entire staff is riddled with lobbyists and yet he attacks lobbyists. And his staff even has the Georgia Government lobbyists on board so how objective can the campaign be with their announcements about the war in Georgia. Besides his troop surge means we are so out of troops that we have none to send to Georgia. duh, Mr. McCain your surge took the last soldier standing and what good did it do us. The mess is just as messy as bef9ore, ummm, maybe worse. But who knows the facts. For sure the Bush junta is not my choice for reliable information and since McCain is a
Bush clone that is always sucking up to GW, I never believe a word he says anymore.

Clearly, the ad is beyond stupid.
Everyone knows it.
I know it has been mentioned here or there, but the "Fording of Obama" angle really isn't being taken as seriously as it should be....and Bob Herbert blew it by misidentifying his phallic symbols and looking over at Harold "I ain't seen nothin'" Ford and expecting him to acknowledge the truth.

Well meaning, forward thinking white people don't quite see it and bigots won't admit it; but, almost every man of color over a certain age I've communicated with about them got the same grit your teeth and bite your tongue sensation in the gut when they saw these "stupid" ads.

As stupid as they may be, they are working. This not so subtle race-baiting is being very well done, not only is it getting free play; it is a clear enough message for its target audience, yet...there's enough deniability built in to allow them to trump a rightfully called race-card.

Forget "Barack, call me." I wouldn't be surprised if by October, Mcain's campaign isn't down to thirty seconds of a still photo of Obama with a cigarette on the screen while a voice in the background shouts "where the white womens at"?

What's the over/under that the next McBlame ad features two gay men commenting on Obama's looks with a backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge?

Audio from the spot is up here.

I really think that any attack on Obama is a racist attack. I mean really, anyone that doesn't vote for Obama is a racist. And apparently a sexist too. McSame should be smart enough to never ever put any white women in ads. I mean that is rasict too. Actually I think McSame should only use Black men in all his adds that he uses against Obama, and himself. I mean for himself. Cause there aren't any. And then we don't have to hear his racist and sexist ads.

I'm going to write in Cobra Commander on my ballot. He may be evil, but at least I know what he stands for.