New Obama Ad Casts McCain As Celebrity

In recent weeks, some Democrats have been criticizing the McCain campaign for its "Celeb" ad and other spots that they suggest hit below the belt.

But now the Obama campaign has released a 30-second ad of its own that takes a similar line to "Celeb," perhaps McCain's most provocative spot. In "Embrace," McCain is dubbed "Washington’s biggest celebrity" and shown as a talk show guest and on "Saturday Night Live."

"For decades, he’s been Washington’s biggest celebrity," an announcer says of McCain. "And as Washington embraced him, John McCain hugged right back." (The logic of this line, spoken as McCain is shown hugging President Bush, is confusing: After all, it is Hollywood, not Washington, that the ad is suggesting embraced McCain.)

"The lobbyists – running his low road campaign," the announcer continues. "The money – billions in tax breaks for oil and drug companies, but almost nothing for families like yours." As this line is spoken, the words "NOTHING FOR YOU" appear onscreen, and McCain is shown enjoying a laugh.

"Lurching to the right, then the left, the old Washington dance, whatever it takes," the announcer says – as Steve Carrell is shown shouting McCain's name on SNL. "John McCain: A Washington celebrity playing the same old Washington games."

CBSNews.com recently ran a story looking at McCain's relative celebrity – you can read it here. "Embrace" will begin running on national cable tomorrow.