I’m reluctant to post this because it’s a celebrity web video, and I hate celebrity web videos. But given that it’s a celebrity web video that actually relates to politics, explores an important policy issue, and has instantly become something of a political sensation, it’s probably worth taking a closer look at this Paris Hilton clip about energy policy.
I generally try to run the script of these videos for people who can’t watch clips on their work computers, but this is one of those videos you’ll really have to see to fully appreciate.
Hilton’s video is, of course, a response to the McCain campaign’s ad comparing Barack Obama to the 27-year-old heiress/reality-show star. This response video describes McCain as “the oldest celebrity in the world,” and compares him to Yoda, the Crypt Keeper, and the Golden Girls.
”Hey America, I’m Paris Hilton and I’m a celebrity, too. Only I’m not from the olden days and I’m not promising change like that other guy. I’m just hot,” Hilton said, reclined in a pool chair. ”But then that wrinkly, white-haired guy used me in his campaign ad, which I guess means I’m running for president. So thanks for the endorsement white-haired dude.”
Hilton goes on to describe an energy policy that seeks to blend Obama’s and McCain’s approach, relying on drilling in the short term, and alternative fuels over the long term, and does so in a surprisingly articulate way. She concludes, “Energy crisis solved…. I’ll see you at the debates, bitches.”
The McCain campaign actually seems to think this ad has merit. It doesn’t.
Asked for a response to the video, the Obama campaign said, literally, “Whatever.” McCain spokesperson Tucker Bounds issued this response: “It sounds like Paris Hilton supports John McCain’s ‘all of the above’ approach to America’s energy crisis — including both alternatives and drilling. Paris Hilton might not be as big a celebrity as Barack Obama, but she obviously has a better energy plan.”
My, my, the McCain campaign does come up with the dumbest things to say.
That said, watching the Hilton video, a few questions came to mind. First, why is that Paris Hilton’s fake ad includes more substantive talk about energy policy than John McCain’s real ad? Second, if writers helped Hilton with her script, and writers helped McCain with his script, why is it that Hilton seems to have a better grasp on policy details than McCain does? Shouldn’t that be, you know, the other way around?
And third, why is it that a 27-year-old heiress/reality-show star can read a teleprompter better than the presumptive Republican presidential nominee?
Now, I’m loath to actually type the words, “Let’s scrutinize Paris Hilton’s energy policy,” but the McCain campaign seems to seriously believe that her “proposal” not only has merit, but mirrors McCain’s own approach to the issue. For that matter, literally millions of people are going to watch Hilton’s fake-ad today, and some of them might think she raises a legitimate point.
With that in mind, here’s specifically what she said:
Barack wants to focus on new technologies to cut foreign oil dependency and McCain wants offshore drilling. Well, why don’t we do a hybrid of both candidate’s ideas? We can do limited offshore drilling with strict environmental oversight, while creating tax incentives to get Detroit making hybrid and electric cars. That way, the offshore drilling carries us until the new technologies kick in, which will then create new jobs and energy independence.
It’s a clever little web video, I suppose, but that doesn’t make it right. Indeed, the fact that McCain’s gang likes what she had to say is not at all encouraging.
Coastal drilling can’t “carry us until the new technologies kick in.” Even the Bush administration and McCain’s policy aides concede that we’re about a decade away from new coastal drilling having any kind of effect on the marketplace. And even then, we’re talking about pennies on the gallon. There’s nothing to actually “carry us” at all.
If we really want a “hybrid” plan, the Obama campaign is offering one.
Before anyone emails me, saying, “I can’t believe you fact-checked a fake ad from Paris Hilton,” keep in mind, I know her ad was a joke. But, again, McCain’s spokesperson endorsed the ideas articulated in this fake ad, and a whole lot of Americans are going to wonder why the candidates can’t just accept the Paris Hilton “plan” as some kind of reasonable-sounding compromise.
I figure, why not take a moment to set the record straight?