Lots of us discuss whether McCain's "Celeb" ad, and his Obama-the-celebrity meme in general, has one effect or another on voters and viewers.
But in truth, it was never aimed at us. Or at swing state voters who view it during a commercial break. Or at the TV viewing audience at all. That was a decoy, and an extremely effective one.
"Celeb" and its associated whispering campaign was, frankly, a guilt-trip aimed at media talking heads -- to give them second thoughts every time they said anything that might be even remotely construed as pro-Obama; in essence, any basically positive statement about him. Any attitude other than critical/"concerned" was, and is, proof that one is no longer Professional, that one has joined the Cult and begun worshipping the Celebrity.
And we all know Very Serious Reporters would never want to look so easily swayed.
The "celebrity" campaign was/is the "liberal media" meme sharpened to become single-issue: "Obama media," if you will, insofar as pundits react by flocking to prove that no, they're not an Obama media. It's a trap for talking heads' personal insecurity, nothing less, nothing more. The only element intended for the voters is the coverage that results.
Witness how the MSM coverage has gotten worse for us just over the last ten days, even by disgraceful past standards. Witness CNN; often lately, tonight in particular.
It's working. And by treating the McCain ads as something aimed principally at voters, we're missing the point and being played, too.