October
15 McCain Hits Obama's Hollywood Ties

Updated

That, and other news, in today's Political Panorama.

John McCain is slamming Barack Obama in robocalls in North Carolina and other states for putting "Hollywood Above America" when Obama attended a fund-raiser in Beverly Hills last month as the financial crisis got under way in Washington.

Talking Points Memo obtained a copy of the call, which says, "On the very day our elected leaders gathered in Washington to deal with the financial crisis, Barack Obama spent just 20 minutes with economic advisers, but hours at a celebrity Hollywood fundraiser. Where are the Democrats' priorities?"

Obama attended two fund-raisers in Beverly Hills on Sept. 16, including one event highlighted by a performance by Barbra Streisand. The campaign raised about $10 million.

That day, McCain chided Obama for attending the event, while the Obama campaign was quick to point out that McCain had held a celebrity fund-raiser at the Beverly Hilton just weeks earlier.

At least in media attention, McCain got some traction with his "Celebrity" ad this summer, a spot that linked Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, so it can't be entirely surprising that the campaign would deploy a similar run against Hollywood.

Late Night Campaign: When John McCain tapes his make-good visit with David Letterman on Thursday, could Barack Obama be planning to trump the event with an appearance on rival Jay Leno's show? The New York Post speculates as much, with Joe Biden a guest on the show that night. Biden will be in West Hollywood later in the evening for a fund-raiser at the Pacific Design Center.

Debate Fete: Generation Obama, the group of young industry professionals for the Democratic nominee, holds a debate watching party this evening at Boulevard 3 in Hollywood, with Antonio Villaraigosa expected to be among those in attendance. Last night, they raised money at the Improv with a lineup that included Seth MacFarlane, Patton Oswalt, Greg Proops and Kevin Pollak.

No on 8 Ad: Backers of same-sex marriage in California released a new ad that will get a "siginificantly larger" media buy than past spots, according to campaign manager Patrick Guerriero.

Palin at Premiere: At the New York premiere of "W," Oliver Stone zinged Sarah Palin. "I don't think Sarah would understand the picture. It has a lot of complicated dialogue."

Timberlake Vid: The Obama campaign introduces new get out the vote vid with Justin Timberlake.

Village People Vote: Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi invokes the Village People in this campaign ad against Democrat Ronnie Musgrove.