In the race for the White House, has Barack Obama crossed the line from candidate to celebrity?
From confidence to arrogance?
John McCain’s campaign says the answer is yes, and on Wednesday tried to use that against Obama.
Experts say McCain has no choice.
He has to cut Obama down to size because Obama’s celebrity, which could mean electability, is growing.
During a campaign stop in Missouri Wednesday, Obama said,"I’m ready to duel john mccain on taxes, right now, right here,"
Feisty and funny.
Talking about himself versus the republicans.
"So, what they're gonna try to do is make you scared of me," said Obama
"He's risky! That's the argument."
What about arrogant?
To some, as Obama enjoys the motorcades, the adoring crowds, and his lead in most polls he's coming across now as smug.
Analysis in today's Washington Post called the presumptive democratic nominee "presumptuous, arrogant.”
"You gotta be pretty arrogant to think you can be president of the united states. So it almost comes with the territory for anyone who runs for the presidency. You're just not supposed to show the arrogance," said Craig Crawford of the Congressional Quarterly.
But Obama did show off his appeal by staging a huge outdoor event last week in Berlin.
John McCain Wednesday in Colorado said, "Senator Obama is impressive speaker and beauty of his words attracted many people."
But McCain calls that mere "celebrity."
And a new TV ad compares Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.
"Politically, McCain has to burst Obama’s balloon or he'll float right out of their hands. There is risk in that," said Crawford.
The risk? McCain highlights his admitted lack of charisma and his failure so far to get the buzz he might need to beat Obama.
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