Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s new TV ad calls Democratic opponent Barack Obama “the biggest celebrity in the world” and compares him with scandal-plagued stars Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.
Here’s the 30-second spot, which is airing in
The ad begins with huge crowds chanting Obama’s name, then flashes to images of him, Spears and Hilton.
“He’s the biggest celebrity in the world. But is he ready to lead?” the ad’s narrator asks. “With gas prices soaring, Barack Obama says no to offshore drilling. And says he’ll raise taxes on electricity. Higher taxes. More foreign oil. That’s the real Obama.”
The ad comes on the heels of Obama’s overseas trip, which earned him a great deal of media attention and revealed that he is a star across the world.
Rick Davis, McCain’s campaign manager, said today on a conference call with reporters that McCain is one of the most well-traveled politicians in America and someone foreign leaders call for advice and help.
Meanwhile, he said, the Obama campaign is focusing on media attention and building star power.
“The focus on events and activities is something you’d except from someone releasing a new movie rather than running for president,” he said, adding that Obama’s strategy appears to be “to create a fan base around the world that allows him to get a lot of media attention and avoids the issues.”
“We see (McCain) more as a global leader than a global celebrity,”