Republicans Scold McCain; Obama Camp Pounces

Weaver breaks silence after leaving campaign last year

(NEWSER) - Former John McCain strategist and “Straight Talk Express" architect John Weaver blasted McCain's latest ad as "childish" today, the Atlantic reports. Breaking his silence about the campaign, Weaver said that the attack ad likening Barack Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton “diminishes” and “reduces McCain on the stage.” More»

He's a celebrity but unqualified to lead, it says

(NEWSER) - A new ad from the McCain campaign deems Obama the “biggest celebrity in the world” while flashing images of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, Time reports. While mocking his rock-star status with other images from his trip to Europe, it asks, "But is he ready to lead?" The Obama camp responded that McCain has launched “yet another…false, negative attack. Or, as some might say, ‘Oops! He did it again.’” More»

Heiress thanks 'white-haired dude' for the endorsement

(NEWSER) - Paris Hilton says she’s “like, totally ready to lead” in her video response to John McCain—the "wrinkly, white-haired guy"—for his ad comparing Barack Obama to tabloid celebrities like herself, ABC News reports. In the deadpan video posted on funnyordie.com, the heiress figures she's now a candidate herself and explains her serious-sounding energy policy while reclining in a lawn chair in her bathing suit. “I’ll see you at the debates, bitches,” she says. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go pick out a vice president.” More»

His staff had two ads ready after Europe trip

(NEWSER) - It's common knowledge by now that a John McCain campaign ad took Barack Obama to task for not visiting wounded US troops in Germany. But David Kiley in BusinessWeek reports that the McCain camp had another ad ready, this one if Obama had visited the troops. It would have charged that Obama was using the soldiers as campaign props. More»

Paris Hilton isn't the first one to grasp at straws

(NEWSER) - Paris Hilton really, really thought that cocaine in her (er, a friend's ) purse was chewing gum . In her honor, PopEater lists nine more equally ridiculous tall tales celebs have dreamed up when they needed an excuse:

• Britney Spears: Why did she drive with her infant son on her lap instead of in a car seat? Because that's how they do it where she's from, she once explained: "I did it with my dad. I'd sit on his lap and I drive. We're country."
• Eddie Murphy: He was spotted with a hooker in his car, but only because he has a soft spot for prostitutes. "It's not the first hooker I've helped out," he explained, insisting that he pulled over because the woman (who actually turned out to be a transsexual) was crying.