It’s true. The public only cares about beautiful people. A political reality since at least the Kennedy-Nixon race when the first televised debates occurred. Which is basically why Barack Obama is captivating the world and old, fossilized McCain is, in a word, not. But does it mean Obama is without substance as the above ad, comparing him to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, implies? Probably? Maybe? But, hey, that never stopped George Bush from getting elected. Or any of the American Idols for that matter. It’s the American way! Also, old and wrinkly doesn’t automatically imply depth, either. The Obama camp, for their part, has responded with a quote from Britney Spears:

On a day when major news organizations across the country are taking Sen. McCain to task for a steady stream of false, negative attacks, his campaign has launched yet another. Or, as some might say, “Oops! He did it again.”

Yeah, not really helping your case.

McCain ad compares Obama to Britney Spears, Paris Hilton [CNN]