"Hot chicks dig Obama," a new John McCain ad proclaims

Another day, another John McCain Web ad that depicts Barack Obama as an air-headed creation of celebrity culture.

References and images include Elvis, The Beatles, Bono, Wayne and Garth (of "Saturday Night Live" fame) and, most improbably, a Taco Bell (!).

[UPDATE: The use of Wayne and Garth -- the two stoner characters memorably etched by Michael Myers and Dana Carvey -- came to the attention of copyright lawyers and led to a slight re-editing of the spot, as The Times' Dan Morian relates here.]

Most controversially, the spot features one young woman complimenting Obama's "aura," and a second young woman singling out his "very soft eyes" for praise. And then there's a fellow saying of the 47-year-old U.S. senator and father of two who defied long odds to emerge as one of the two main contenders for the most powerful office in the world: "Hot chicks dig Obama."

The ad begins with an excited narrator saying: "You've seen him in London, Paris and Berlin. Now you, too, can join 'The One's' fan club in America."

Later, the narrator cheerily asserts: "We know he doesn't have much experience. And isn't ready to lead. But that doesn't mean he isn't dreamy."

McCain surrogates will light-heartedly defend the ad as simply another effort to inject humor into the serious business of running for the White House.

Others will wonder how much more demeaning the McCain camp can get toward its rival -- and whether the Democrat and his aides will figure out a way to effectively counter the ongoing assault.

The new ad surfaces on the same day that Mark Penn -- unabashedly continuing to offer his insights at Politico.com after helping guide Hillary Clinton from frontrunner in the Democratic race to also-ran -- gives his professional blessing to the much-discussed McCain "Celebrity" ad that linked Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.

Writes Penn: "Clever negative advertising works. That is reality."

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Mike D]

this is horrible. mccain is the taking the absolute low road. this is what your candidate stands for repblicans? this is what he presents? not his strengths or what he stands up for but the tactics he'll use just to win a campaign. you republicans are absolutely disgusting to believe in someone like this.

[TXCourtney]

Wow, I'll just add that to the list of incredibly demeaning things that McCain has said about women. Apparently, attractive women should just stick to the Miss Buffalo Chips Contest and stop trying to think for themselves.

[S.A.]

Yes hot chicks do dig Barack Obama. That's another reason he should be scrutinized. There might be some lovers with babies hidden in his closet. Anyone running for president should be vetted. Obama will lie to get votes. Look how John Edward lied about his love affair.Obama attended a hate church with a racist pastor for 20 years and lied and said he didn't know his pastor's views. I will not forget this, he lost my trust and my vote.

[Mike D]

john mccain is nothing but a liar.

Read the facts:

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/more_tax_deceptions.html

[RandomGeologist]

"Obama has a senate vote keeping companies from exploring for oil off our own shores.

I like Obama as a rock star, I don't like him in charge of my children's future."

What happens when that oil is gone? There is not much there to begin with either. The age of oil is coming to a close and we are pretty much F%^&ed.

Ask yourself this, can you list 1 thing you did today in which oil did not touch your life?

I stood naked in my front lawn on scratched myself. Other than that, oil was in everything. What happens to the American way of life when that oil is gone?

[first step]

Mr. Unite Us thanks for the insight he probably went to wikipedia for information on most of the issues he discuss. "NOW THAT'S FUNNY". Mr Unite Us excuse me if you don't drink but "THIS BUD'S FOR YOU". Can a McCain supporter explain why their candidate made a statement so similar to that of wikipedia. Mr. Unite Us took the ball to his court.

[Durant Imboden]

Dead chicks dig McCain?

[Jeff]

"Harold, call me."

Nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to portray Barack as a scary black man outside the mainstream. Not quite racist yet, but toeing the line. What a despicable campaign McCain is running.

[Patrick]

Based on past history, it appears that hot chicks who don't mind dating older married men dig McCain.

[Brad]

So Mccain thinks Obam's wife is Hot?

[Thomas]

I don't care for McCain, but his ads nail Obama to a T. The guy is nothing but a vapid celebrity. Now he's listening to George Clooney for Mid-East advice?

Keep making McCain's points, Obama. You have no chance at winning.

[Mark]

If you vote for McCain, you are playing Russian Roulette with your child's life. If you vote a warmonger into the White House, be prepared to send your child off to fight a war for oil and corporate greed, for which you, as an American, will see no benefits. (Blackwater and Haliburton are seeing plenty of benefits, though)

Military recruitment is at an all-time low. One more war front we have to fight, there will have to be a draft instituted. I would never, could never vote for McCain. I love my son too much.

[Steve P]

Lessee... the country has been plowed into the ground by the GOP over the last 8 years and McCain's basic message has been something I would expect to see in the National Enquirer rather than mainstream news and ads.

Should people actually be swayed by this tripe I would seriously question just how much longer our country will be in existence.as that would mean people are just too stupid to function.

[Nick]

it's an interesting ad strategy. I'm not surprised Obama supporters think it's dumb, it's not really supposed to sway them. What it's supposed to do is convince the educated, intelligent, independent voters that the Obama supporters are start-struck and not supporting him due to well thought-out, rational reasons, and it's surprisingly effective. It has the added bonus of creating a certain amount of criticism of Obama's foreign publicity tours, rousing but empty speeches, and fanatical devotees.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. It's definitely growing on me as an insightful strategic way to negate the effect of the fanatical following Obama seems to have on the independent voters (by casting Obama supporters as fanatics not making intelligent decisions).

[Deb Blue]

Like many other Americans, I was undecided in this election. I have never liked John McCain, but knew little about Obama. I never vote along party lines. I always educate myself to the issues and the candidates and go from there. However, the ads that that McCain has chosen to run, ridicuolous as they are, only serve to make my decision even easier. How can we trust a man who would run his campaign in this matter to make decisions of national security? I for one, am a hot, and intelligent chick over the age of 45 who will NOT vote for John McCain. America needs to put an end to the campaigns. Just put on debates of the issues, and let the best man win. No money involved. The media will televise without the candidates paying for it. In addition, change the legislation to allow a President to remain in office until he is voted out. In the current status of our election process, we get a President who sits back from 1-21 on the first year of his re-election and does little to nothing for the remaining four years. How I would love to have that job!! Maybe, just maybe, we might get a candidate who believes in his ideas on the issues, not one who adjusts his ideas to garner monetary support. I think there are actually a few Republicans out there, that Obama should have as a running mate. How about that for something new? A split ticket for the Presidency...

[swing vote]

I was never a big Obama supporter before. Unfortunetly McCain has turned this into a race of "the less of two evils". Truth be told I was most likely going to vote McCain before, but if all he can do is put out these ads that attack Obama for being popular (which after all IS the way to win an election... by having people support you!) then it's just very sad and that's not someone I can vote for to run this country. I don't think I'm the only swing vote out there who thinks McCain's ads are misdirected. Come on John- show us something solid that should make us want to get behind you and quit bitching because Obama is more popular with the ladies than you are. We already knew that before you started putting out these ridiculous ads. Go find a better way to spend your supportes' money.

[McCain=Wussy]

Wow... what a pre-teen uninformed frickin' weenie Johnny is. He really helps expand the traditional definition of the word DORK. Not sure he could even FIND the red button with that intellect. The danger is he'd slip, fall, and land on it unintentionally - while pulling up his pants from around his knee socks, of course...

[Jack418]

I am embarassed to be a republican..Can we please stick to the issues?

[grant]

Americans are so stupid.

[Lucy]

The ad is both sexist and racist, meant to place fear in people, especially those from the south. Enough of the jokes and fear tactics.

[sterling]

This links works for the video. (Did McCain's folks try to take this one back? There are not "take backs", John. Sorry!)

Pure stupidity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0WcnnnnzSc

[Bill]

So what is McCain trying to say…hot chicks dig Obama but dead chicks dig him?

[Tim]

Some of our best presidents were "inexperienced". Elect people who are young and still in touch with the world, not those living in a sexist, racist world of 50 years ago. Elect a representative of the people, not career military, career politician, silver spoon trust-fund baby or corporate CEO. Someone who had (or has) a career, brushes shoulders with "ordinary" Americans on a regular basis, who understands the trials and tribulations of daily life, even if it's through osmosis. I frankly don't like either of the candidates, but i will take Obama's positive hope over McCain's negative fear, uncertainty and doubt. A good leader doesn't have to have the experience, just enough common sense and judgment to surround him (or her) self with people who do.

[enough]

And if Mark Penn knows so much about what works, why is Hillary not the candidate???

Just wondering....

[Steve]

Looks like McCain's true colors become more visible every day. The more independent he says he is, the more Republican he acts.

McCain is a desperate man, and ads like this demonstrate how far he will go to try to be president. It appears there are no limits to how low he will stoop. It says a lot about his character, or lack thereof. But then, isn't this what we've come to expect of Republicans? It's the party of Tricky Dick, Sleepy Ron, Should Have Worn a Helmet Jerry, and Late Bloomer W.

I'm an independent, and McCain drives me more solidly into Obama's camp every day.