If celebrity is the smear word of this election campaign, Hollywood McCain has a lot to answer for.  Obama may be getting lots of press attention (an astonishingly high percentage of which is negative), but Hollywood McCain is the candidate who was able to slip into American popular culture unchallenged.  The dude has appeared alongside Tony Danza and Lewis Black; he's bowed to the altar of Regis and Kathy Lee; he's sold the official Pat Tillman story on ESPN, and he's repeatedly hosted Saturday Night Live and shined his mug on WWF.

There's Hollywood McCain on "24!"  There he is in "The Wedding Crashers!"  Comedy Central could release a commemorative DVD of all of John McCain's appearances on its network.  I swear I saw him on "Love Boat" sometime in the 70s .

If there's a camera to smile for, he's there.  If there's a strapless shoulder to bump against, he's there.  The dude is a celebrity-super hero, able to fly from DC to LA in record time.

For ten years, Hollywood McCain has been one of Washington's biggest media whores, and it is time  Americans start to recognize him with a fitting nickname.  Hollywood McCain, we haven't forgotten you!  Hollywood McCain, can I have your autograph?  Hollywood McCain, we're ready for a close-up with you and your aging starlet wife.

Interested in the (incomplete) details? http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0564587/

And, one aside: Seen flying today all along the Jersey shore, an airplane dragging the advertisement: "John McCain wants to drill for oil here . . ."