The ads were effective--Obama is increasingly looking like a lightweight--and McCain has gained strength against the presumptive Democratic nominee in recent polls. The incomprehensible energy policy of the junior senator from my state has likely hurt him as well.
Back to the recent People Magazine cover boy: The Telegraph of London reveals tonight that the Democrats will place quite a few Hollywood celebrities in prominent roles at their convention later this month.
The decision to let some of them take to the center stage is a calculated gamble by Mr. Obama to stick to his guns in courting the celebrity vote. It comes after his Republican rival John McCain landed a telling blow last week, mocking him as the "Paris Hilton" of the White House race in a so-called "attack ad".
Mr Obama's strategists have concluded that the publicity gains from rubbing shoulders with actors like George Clooney, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon will outweigh the risks of appearing lightweight.
The list of those approved for credentials to attend the event includes the actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who recently filmed a campaign advertisement for Mr. Obama, who is expected to bring her friend Madonna.
Hollywood royalty, including Quentin Tarantino, Spike Lee, Warren Beatty, Susan Sarandon, Forrest Whitaker and Scarlett Johansson, will also be in Denver, as well as singers Kanye West and Wyclef Jean. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones may also put in an appearance.
Let's take a close look at that last one. Zeta-Jones is a British citizen, who lives in Bermuda. I'm impressed.
Some of the others have so much baggage. Warren Beatty (a perfect fill-in for John Edwards), Madonna, and Quentin Tarantino will surely win over the family values voters.
And Americans just can't get enough of Susan Sarandon and her political views.
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5 comments:
The celebrity crowd is, as you suggest, mostly lightweight; people who are, as has been said of Paris Hilton (and as can be said of most), "famous for being famous." People whose fame make them think they have a mandate to "throw their weight" at every public policy matter, and other things which don't quite matter.
But there's the paradox, being famous pads upon their shoulders a weight they can throw around, and which we others cannot fail to see, or feel. So, we cannot simply assume their light weight -- if we are not to be, ourselves, small-minded in our snootiness (or snooty in our small-mindedness). Or if we are not in Hilton's eyes to appear, like McCain, wrinkly tasteless and out of whast should be our own depths. So we must interrogate what is to be deemed truly light of weight, and what is to be heavy-duty.
And let's not forget that it is McCain who provoked Paris Hilton to react to his clumsy association of what she and Spears ordinarily do (plus how they do carry themselves in public) with the serious campaign which Obama is waging. And her sarcastic video response told the world that it was McCain who appeared "hare-brained" both in reference to her (and the likes of her) and to the energy debate!
I'll agree with most of what you say, Mauri, but do not forget it was the anointed one who first brought the blonde penis receptacle into focus when he commented about being "more overexposed than Paris Hilton."
And "serious campaign"?
Words have meaning, we're told.
So let's hear some substance.
Quit reading the teleprompter.
Debate, debate, debate!
George Clooney, eh?
Two words: "Batman and Robin"
George Clooney, one more word:
"Solaris"
Forrest Whittaker, two words:
"Battlefield Earth"
Warren Beatty, one word:
"Ishtar"
Madonna, two words:
"Shanghai Surprise"
Grey,
When did Obama mention Britney Spears?
...McCain's adoring fans must be some of the most flexible people in the world -- y'all are constantly stretching and reaching. ;)
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