Senator McCain appears to be trying to define Obama as out of touch and not ready to lead the nation. The ad acknowledges Obama's fame, but depicts it as a weakness.
"Nobody's going to confuse Paris Hilton with Senator Barack Obama, but over time it tends to raise questions about his substance ... that could very well work," said Stuart Rothenberg, The Rothenberg Political Report.
While in Missouri, Obama told an audience McCain is trying to scare voters. Obama called the ad another example of McCain's negativity.
"He's spending an awful lot of time talking about me ... you notice that? I haven't seen an ad yet where he talks about what he's going to do," said Senator Barack Obama, presumed Democratic presidential candidate.
The McCain camp also released a memo noting, among other things, Obama's fondness for chocolate protein bars, black forest berry tea, and arugula. In other words, insinuating Obama is high maintenance, just like any big star.
Obama supporters shot back, calling attention to the shoes McCain has worn on the campaign trail. They are Italian calfskin loafers, which retail for more than $250 per pair.
The Obama camp also responded to McCain's celebrity ad with an ad of their own.
One of McCain's former aides calls the McCain's ad childish, saying it diminishes the Republican candidate. However, the McCain campaign says Obama was the first to go negative.
