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September 18, 2008

McCain Rips Into Obama for Streisand Concert

Continuing with his attempt to convince American voters that Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is little more than a celebrity, Republican opponent John McCain suggested today that flying off to attend a benefit concert headlined by Barbra Streisand is at odds with the man-of-the-people style campaign Obama has been running.

According to Jonathan Martin’s Politico blog, McCain chided Obama during an appearance before a blue-collar crowd in Youngstown, Ohio, using the opportunity to try to drive a wedge between the Illinois senator and the working class.

"He talks about siding with the people just before he flew off for a fund-raiser in Hollywood with Barbra Streisand and his celebrity friends," McCain said of his political rival. "Let me tell you, my friends, there's no place I'd rather be than right here with the working men and women of Ohio."

Streisand was an early supporter of Hillary Clinton but switched her endorsement to Obama when he secured the Democratic nomination.

The McCain campaign first made a huge splash by trying to exploit Obama’s “celebrity” status in a campaign ad that likened the Illinois senator to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. Hilton countered when she joined with website FunnyorDie.com for a rebuttal, referring to McCain as “that old dude.” (The Advocate)

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Nu
    Date posted: 2008-09-18 1:26 PM
    Hometown: FL

    Comment:

    Ok, just how stupid does he think we are as women. To try and substitute some unheard of woman for Hillary was a un-intelligent move on his part. As a woman I can NOT identify with Palin. I don't run around blatantly lying, don't run aroud shooting carabou, never ran off and allowed my children to raise themselves. And she should know from a biblical standpoint that she should be home to raise her own children. Again, McCain is not what this country needs, and from his history of having an eye for pretty women, we should all be worried. I imagine that it why his wife is with him all the time. He cheated on his first wife, with Cindy and Cindy knew he was married. What does that say about integrity? And why isn't Palin talking about her stance against gays. It's indicated in some of her previous comments, prior to accepting the nomination for VP. The mavericks, yeah right.


  • Name: joebob
    Date posted: 2008-09-18 11:38 AM
    Hometown: jersey city

    Comment:

    People in show business are NOT like other people in regular businesses. Don't know where you get your facts but you should do a little research and find out more about "business". next time you buy anything remember it's from a business.


  • Name: joebob
    Date posted: 2008-09-18 11:36 AM
    Hometown: jersey city

    Comment:

    Learn to write dude. "doesn't vs don't". get it right. you sound like you have a 5th grade education.


  • Name: Doug Stitsworth
    Date posted: 2008-09-18 11:27 AM
    Hometown: Indianapolis

    Comment:

    Hello, first off I want to say hi to a guy who wrote to me at 365, Chris Sullivan. How goes dude? I really like the responses to the above article. I needed a good laugh. Those quips about mccain and palin were hilarious. Of course I wndorse them totally. We all need to endorse Obama in his endeavor. With this man we have a good chance of getting things done. Keep up the good work out there. Peace..


  • Name: Todd
    Date posted: 2008-09-18 12:31 AM
    Hometown: Seattle, WA

    Comment:

    I think Barack Obama is the greatest hope we have for our country and I'm definately voting for him. That being said, however, I do think he's made some "timing blunders" by attending this Barbra Streisand event when Wall St. just collapsed as well as his week-long vacation to Hawaii during the height of the pre-convention frenzy, which allowed McCain to gain ground on him big-time. He also needs to get down "with the people" and at least "look" like a regular joe.....at least until after the election is over and he's WON. We all love him but he's got to "walk the walk" in the next 7 weeks in order to win, even if it's out of character. No way...No how...No McCain/Palin.


  • Name: Kyle M.
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 8:45 PM
    Hometown: Dallas

    Comment:

    Grandpa John, "Daughter Dottie Dingbat" and the Republicans are trying to divert attention away from their failures by using a real celebrity as bait. Maybe they doesn't like Jews either? As members of the GLBTT community, we don't get the total acceptance by the Democratic party we need to get the HUMAN rights straight people do. John McCain and a lot of Republicans doesn't even think we deserve protection against hate crimes, job and housing discrimination, the right to adopt a child and multiple other rights given most others. We need to support Obama even if he hasn't come as far as we want him to. Where do you think our struggle will get if McCain does get elected in November? Can we stand to go backward in progress?


  • Name: Paul Sherman
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 5:51 PM
    Hometown: Nashville, TN

    Comment:

    When he addressed the blue-collar workers, was he sporting his $500.00 Italian shoes? And if Cindy was in attendance, was she wearing her $3000.00 designer dress? Perhaps, tho, a five-year POW has earned the right to $500.00 shoes and his millionaireness wife the right to her $3000.00 dress.


  • Name: Dee Smith
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 5:34 PM
    Hometown: Menifee, CA

    Comment:

    That old buzzard McCain should leave his flapping mouth shut. How dare he criticize Obama for attending the fundraiser for him. To have Barbra Streisand on your side is a big plus. I am voting for Obama and I hope to say adieu to Mr. McCain after he loses the election. Has he read the papers lately, especially the business section. We are in a depression folks with more of the same coming down the line if McCain and Palin get in.


  • Name: Jennifer
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 5:15 PM
    Hometown: Austin & Kerrville, Texas

    Comment:

    Just when you think there couldn't possibly be any more hypocracy coming from McCain or Palin's hateful mouths..... He says this as he and his family are currently on the cover of People magazine. Like a previous comment on this page, if most Americans new where he stood on issues, how he and that hate-mongering hypocrit sidekick really stand on things, these silly McCain-ism's would be funny and silly. But the scary thing is, these two actually have a shot and running this country. I just hope, that all those I have heard speak of how "wonderful Palin's speech was", and "how she fought against corruption in Washington", or how having Palin on the McCain ticket has "really changed some voter's decisions"....... take 5 min's to research how these candidates are pro-torture, pro-war, anti-environment, homophobic, against reproductive justice, anti-animal rights, anti- stem cell research, anti- seperation of church & state, and the list unfortunately goes on and on........


  • Name: WILLIAM
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 5:07 PM
    Hometown: SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

    Comment:

    HYPOCRITE MCCAIN HAS BEEN TO HOLLYWOOD FUNDRAISERS TOO. HE ALSO SAID IF YOU PUT LIPSTICK ON A PIG IT'S STILL A PIG. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! WHAT ABOUT THE ECONOMY, THE WAR, THE BILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT, THE SCANDALOUS UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, AND THE DOUBLING OF THE NATIONAL DEBT. YES, BUSH GOT US INTO THIS MESS AND FELLOW REPUBLICAN MCCAIN IS EVEN MORE OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE PLIGHT OF THE MIDDLE CLASS INCLUDING THE LGBTT COMMUNITY.


  • Name: stephen holliday
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 5:04 PM
    Hometown: roswell, georgia

    Comment:

    As supporters of Obama it's our responsibility to encourage our friends, family and anyone else we meet to vote, especially for Obama. I wish I could believe Americans would use good judgement by considering the facts and realize the BS McCain spins, one set of standards for him and another for Obama. Unfortunately when Bush was elected for a second term I realized stupidity was rampant in this country. This causes me great concern that it will happen again.


  • Name: Eric
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 4:32 PM
    Hometown: Chicago

    Comment:

    It is unfortunate (or not) that Sen. McCain is turning out to be hypocrite and a flip-flopper. The Daily Show's compilation comparing McCain's totally conflicting positions over time was a gem.


  • Name: robert
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 4:19 PM
    Hometown: seattle

    Comment:

    Old man McCain attended a fundraiser at the Beverly Hills Hilton on August 25th, which included a number of Hollywood Republicans, donating $4.7 million to his campaign. Among those that were spotted: Stephen Baldwin, Pat Boone, Dean Cain, Robert Duvall, Angie Harmon, Patricia Heaton, Lorenzo Lamas, Craig T. Nelson, Gary Sinise and Jon Voight. Stop being a hypocrite McCain.


  • Name: Chris Sullivan
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 4:14 PM
    Hometown: Chicago, IL

    Comment:

    Streisand works in a business - "show business" and is without peer in terms of diversity and longevity - and many would add raw talent as well. This is why she can gather so much cash together for Obama. McCain talks about celebrities when it suits him. Didn't he recall the $51 million he raised just a couple of nights earlier? People who work in show business are no different than people who work for any other business - they are just higher profil and therefore easier targets. No one complains when Republican Corporate CEO's throw fund raiser that rake in mega-bucks - but throw Streisand's name in there and they want to have a field day. She was there to add some entertainment to be THEd money draw for the fundraiser - good for her. McCain is a hypocrite and Palin belongs in a mental ward. God help this country is this tragic pair gets into the White House.


  • Name: Terry
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 4:07 PM
    Hometown: Elkins Park

    Comment:

    This is a joke right? McCain needs to worry about the issues not where Obama is going.


  • Name: Scott
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 4:03 PM
    Hometown: Tampa

    Comment:

    Obama was definitely a bit out of touch in this instance. He had to know exactly how it would appear to the public yet he did it any way. He would have helped his campaign a whole lot more continuing his road trip rather than attending the fund raiser. He could have skipped the concert and his campaign would have made just as much money. People were there to see Streisand.


  • Name: Joe
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 1:57 PM
    Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

    Comment:

    Here goes the Republican attack machine again. They know they have nothing new to offer to fix the issues of this country, so they distract voters with non-important attacks to take the discourse off what really matters in this election. I just pray and hope the American people see this and vote for new Democratic leadership.


  • Name: Fruit rollup
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 12:35 PM
    Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

    Comment:

    Is McCain really that senile that he forgot Obama has to fund raise because he didn't take public funding? I suppose if you can't remember how many houses you have... wait who's the celebrity?


  • Name: Joe
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 12:01 PM
    Hometown: Fort Worth

    Comment:

    If I didn't think the American public would buy into McCain's accusations that Obama is out of touch with working people, I would find this amusing, since the McCains are MULTI-MILLIONAIRES who have so many homes, he doesn't know how many they own.


  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 11:45 AM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    HELLO... Just how far gone is that Republican Rest-Home Refugee???? He castigates Obama for the Streisand Concert, but has no problem, himself, appearing on national TV on the Jay Leno show!! Talk about hypocrisy.... But then he IS a Republican now, isn't he..?? What Obama needs to do is to call the Republicans out, immediately, on these lies and distortions, as soon as they appear. Obama is in a WAR for the presidency and wars are not fought by the Marquess of Queensberry rules. If he doesn't start speaking up, and SOON, he might as well start writing his concession speech. If we're not VERY careful, McCain COULD win this election! If that happens, God help us all..


  • Name: Michael
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 11:43 AM
    Hometown: Sacramento

    Comment:

    Why is this gay news? Did Obama do something to help the efforts against Prop 8 while he was here?


  • Name: RogerinMA
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 10:13 AM
    Hometown: NewBedford

    Comment:

    McCain's just jealous that he can't have La Streisand on his side. Maybe he should concern himself more with the Republican Platform's positions on our Gay Family, instead of allowing the gay haters in his party to take over what's suppose to be Lincoln's Party of fairness and malice towards none..


  • Name: michael
    Date posted: 2008-09-17 12:18 AM
    Hometown: boston

    Comment:

    I bet Barbra knows how many houses SHE has, Mr. McCain. It's pitiful that McCain is still throwing these barbs (no pun intended) when we have such other issues at hand.


  • Name: Paul
    Date posted: 2008-09-16 10:46 PM
    Hometown: New York

    Comment:

    How DARE Obama been seen with the likes of those anti-American, brie-eating, Merlot-drinking HOLLYWOOD types! Really, McCain - you have no right anymore to call someone a "celebrity" after creating your own in Palin. Do you really think Americans care what Streisand is doing? Or that Obama went to hear her sing for an evening? With America going down the tubes economically, and you calling a commission to figure out why (truly you don't know why???), you've already declared yourself irrelevant.


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