Republican White House hopeful John McCain's campaign on Tuesday lashed out at the US media's "bizarre fascination" for Democrat Barack Obama with a new Internet advertisement.
The McCain campaign sent an email to supporters and posted video on YouTube, compiling clips by well-known US television journalists describing their affection for Obama, who is seeking to become the country's first African-American president.
"It's pretty obvious that the media has a bizarre fascination with Barack Obama. Some may even say it's a love affair," the Arizona senator's campaign said in an email.
"The media is in love with Barack Obama. If it wasn't so serious, it would be funny."
In the Internet video, the 1960s hit song "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You," plays in the background as journalists are shown describing their feelings for the Illinois senator, interspersed with a video collage of news reports about Obama and his wife, Michelle.
"I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often," says political talk show host Chris Matthews in one clip.
In another clip, asked by a reporter what percentage of the US mainstream media is "in the tank" for Obama, Hillary Clinton's former campaign chair Terry McAuliffe says,"Oh, probably 90 percent."
In between video clips, swirly red hearts appear on a black screen, with pop-up text that quotes love song lyrics.
"He makes them swoon," the text says.
--AFP