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: 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: 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: 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: 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..

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