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John McCain's Staff in Damage Control Over 'Wedding Crashers'
NEWSMAX.COM ^ | JULY 19, 2005 | JAMES HIRSEN

Posted on 07/19/2005 3:45:07 PM PDT by CHARLITE

He's a movie star now.

Yes, Arizona senator and aspiring presidential candidate John McCain recently made his cinematic debut in this summer's bawdy romantic comedy "Wedding Crashers."

The cameo appearance may create a big-screen problem for McCain, though, and it doesn't have anything to do with his Clinton-defending cameo co-star James Carville. It has to do with the flick's thoroughly warranted R rating.

In the movie, Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn portray divorce mediators who crash weddings and seduce bridal attendants.

There's a fast-moving montage in the film, done in the style of a music video, where Vaughn and Wilson's characters are featured in bed with a shifting procession of naked women.

The Los Angeles Times opined that this Hollywood excursion is "perhaps not the most predictable showcase for the film debut of a former presidential candidate who five years ago conducted Senate hearings in which he personally took Hollywood to task for the preponderance of R-rated films."

Regarding McCain's participation in the film, Wilson recently revealed on NBC's "Today" show that he had "cold-called" the senator's office and that McCain's staff was extremely cordial and told him they would have an answer for him within minutes.

In less than an hour Wilson received a call letting him know that McCain had agreed to the part.

Prior to the movie's release McCain was joking about the appearance, but now his staff appears to be engaged in some damage control.

Eileen McMenamin, McCain's communications director, claimed that when the senator accepted the role he understood the film would be rated PG-13.

"The senator has not seen the movie," said McMenamin. "He agreed to do the cameo role for a fee, which he donated to charity."

Although "Wedding Crashers" employs the same style as other sex-laden comedies like "American Pie" and "There's Something About Mary," it does have a couple of elements that help place it on a somewhat higher plane.

It eventually conveys the moral judgment that the coarse behavior in which Vaughn's and Wilson's characters engage is wrong. It even has the screen figures suffering for their transgressions.

And ultimately the movie celebrates the institution of marriage.

The Left Coast Report says it's yet to be seen whether McCain's decision to join the "Wedding Crashers" cast will prove advantageous to a future GOP presidential primary opponent. But, hey, if it is, he can always do "Wedding Crashers 2."


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: cameo; fallout; hollywood; johnmccain; movie; political; problem; public; relations; role; weddingcrashers
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1 posted on 07/19/2005 3:45:09 PM PDT by CHARLITE
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To: CHARLITE

I can't muster up much more than a shrug of my shoulders over this one. It's John McCain after all.


2 posted on 07/19/2005 3:47:28 PM PDT by cripplecreek (If you must obey your party, may your chains rest lightly upon your shoulders.)
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To: CHARLITE

Here's what's worse. I just saw the film. I don't remember seeing McCain, but I did see Carville. And BTW - I enjoyed the film.


3 posted on 07/19/2005 3:48:47 PM PDT by Enterprise (Thus sayeth our rulers - "All your property is mine." - - - Kelo vs New London)
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To: cripplecreek; CHARLITE
Agreed, when I see McCain I usually think, So What
4 posted on 07/19/2005 3:49:49 PM PDT by ThreePuttinDude (Allah, is not... Akbar)
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To: cripplecreek

Maybe this is the first step in his ultimate conversion to a media whore. There have been some politicians (good ones, to boot) who started as actors and moved into politics. McCain might be boosting his "maverick" credentials by doing the opposite - going from politics to media. He did addicted to the celebrity status during his "Straight Talk Express."


5 posted on 07/19/2005 3:51:20 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: Army Air Corps

I would happily trade John McCain for Fred Thompson.


6 posted on 07/19/2005 3:53:09 PM PDT by cripplecreek (If you must obey your party, may your chains rest lightly upon your shoulders.)
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To: CHARLITE

It's X-rated??


7 posted on 07/19/2005 3:53:52 PM PDT by SoDak
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To: Army Air Corps
Maybe this is the first step in his ultimate conversion to a media whore.

You say that like it hasn't already happened.

8 posted on 07/19/2005 3:54:01 PM PDT by aynrandfreak (When can we stop pretending that the Left doesn't by and large hate America?)
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To: CHARLITE
Big Deal. It's a movie. I also own Team America World Police and Scarface which are probably more of an R than this is.

What's worse is that McCain is a gun grabbing POS.

9 posted on 07/19/2005 3:54:39 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan (Member - NRA, SAF, MGO, SAFR)
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To: ThreePuttinDude

I love the film. It weird because it really only had two or three screens that was super r rated and the use of curse words well spreading out and limted and not any other word.


10 posted on 07/19/2005 3:54:55 PM PDT by Paul8148
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To: CHARLITE

This is ridiculous. I can't stand the guy, but for Pete's sake, folks....


11 posted on 07/19/2005 3:55:37 PM PDT by Cyber Liberty (© 2005, Ravin' Lunatic since 4/98)
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To: aynrandfreak

ROFLMAO!

Touché!

I shall rephrase. "Maybe it is part of his ultimate conversion to a full-time media whore."


12 posted on 07/19/2005 3:56:20 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: CHARLITE

He should star in the McCain Mutiny remake.


13 posted on 07/19/2005 3:57:12 PM PDT by OSHA (I've got a hole in my head too, but that's beside the point.)
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To: CHARLITE

I am struggling to understand why anyone cares? Hell I am not a John McCain fan but anyone who attempts to use this against him is an idjut.

I like this type of movie and I suspect a large majority of America does as well. And Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn are two of the greatest comic actors of our time.


14 posted on 07/19/2005 3:57:15 PM PDT by USAFJeeper
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To: CHARLITE

Keep on keeping on Johnny. You are doing Great!!


15 posted on 07/19/2005 3:57:21 PM PDT by don-o (Don't be a Freeploader. Do the right thing and become a Monthly Donor!)
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To: CHARLITE

Your addition to the headline is just plain incorrect. The movie is rated R, not X.

X isn't even a rating any more.


16 posted on 07/19/2005 3:57:29 PM PDT by MediaMole
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To: Enterprise
"but I did see Carville. And BTW - I enjoyed the film."

I would have thought that vomiting up your popcorn would ruin the experience for you.
17 posted on 07/19/2005 3:57:32 PM PDT by Moral Hazard ("I believe the children are the future" - Whitney Houston; "Fight the future" - X-files)
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To: Dan from Michigan

Ohhhh! Dirka dirka dirka!


18 posted on 07/19/2005 3:58:25 PM PDT by andyk (Go Matt Kenseth!)
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To: Dan from Michigan

Team america was damned funny. Some of the language was, for me, over the edge. On whole, I loved the constant skewering of Hollywierd dumbarses.


19 posted on 07/19/2005 3:58:31 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: SoDak

It wasn't X-rated. There were a few scenes with breasts (nice ones too).


20 posted on 07/19/2005 3:58:47 PM PDT by Enterprise (Thus sayeth our rulers - "All your property is mine." - - - Kelo vs New London)
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To: CHARLITE

I hope it sinks him.


21 posted on 07/19/2005 3:58:52 PM PDT by GOP_Proud (...when the Iraqi soldiers stand up, we will stand down...GWB)
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To: Moral Hazard
Oh, it wasn't that bad.
22 posted on 07/19/2005 3:59:59 PM PDT by Enterprise (Thus sayeth our rulers - "All your property is mine." - - - Kelo vs New London)
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To: USAFJeeper

Owen Wilson in Zoolander was a riot. He played the kook really well.


23 posted on 07/19/2005 4:00:20 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: CHARLITE

Sorry, but I have lost respect for MCCain over this. Bad decision and I think he won't be able to run for presidant again.


24 posted on 07/19/2005 4:00:31 PM PDT by Halls (Terri Schindler Schiavo was murdered legally in our country, NEVER FORGET!!!)
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To: OSHA
He should star in the McCain Mutiny remake.

He Already Did!:


25 posted on 07/19/2005 4:01:00 PM PDT by Bommer
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To: Enterprise

Ah, I was going by the posted article title.


26 posted on 07/19/2005 4:01:14 PM PDT by SoDak
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To: Enterprise

McCain was right in front of Carville in the receiving line. It was totally inocuous.

People need to get their panties straightened out.


27 posted on 07/19/2005 4:02:48 PM PDT by Cousin Eddie
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To: Cousin Eddie

Ok. I guess I'll have to see the film again. I mean, someone has to do it.


28 posted on 07/19/2005 4:04:25 PM PDT by Enterprise (Thus sayeth our rulers - "All your property is mine." - - - Kelo vs New London)
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To: Cousin Eddie

The bad guy was a supposed Enviromento Wacko so it had that going for it.


29 posted on 07/19/2005 4:05:48 PM PDT by Paul8148
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To: CHARLITE

I don't know...do 'bawdy' and 'romantic' really belong in the same sentence?


30 posted on 07/19/2005 4:07:00 PM PDT by pbear8 (Prime Choice is back!!!!!!!)
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To: Army Air Corps

I am among those that liked that movie as well :) We are a minority I am afraid. Vince Vaughn in Dodgeball, I bought the movie I liked it so much (and his tour de force with Will Ferrel as well - Old School).

As far as Owen Wilson, he has been cracking me up for years - Bottle Rocket, Shangai Noon, Meet the Parents, Royal Tennenbaums, Starsky and Hutch, Life Aquatic... I like flaky movies it appears haha.


31 posted on 07/19/2005 4:08:20 PM PDT by USAFJeeper
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To: Cousin Eddie
McCain was right in front of Carville in the receiving line. It was totally inocuous. People need to get their panties straightened out.

There was a brou-ha-ha over Orrin Hatch's appearance in the movie "Traffic" years ago. I think if I were their advisors, I'd tell all politicians to steer clear of anything Hollywood - unless they already had a career there.

32 posted on 07/19/2005 4:08:54 PM PDT by podkane
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To: Dan from Michigan
What's worse is that McCain is a gun grabbing POS.

I came to the conclusion long ago that someone can be a genuine war hero, but be a complete POS otherwise. I'm always willing to give a veteran the benefit of the doubt, especially a vet who went through the documented hell that McCain went through, not the BS time that Kerry was in the armed forces...

But McCain used up all the benefit in the Keating Five scandal (as did the rest, especially Glen, eventhough he's a former Marine Aviator and combat pilot as well), and the McCain/Feingold CFR put him over the edge IMHO as a dangerous politician and oath violator.

Mark

33 posted on 07/19/2005 4:10:06 PM PDT by MarkL (It was a shocking cock-up. The mice were furious!)
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To: CHARLITE

This is silly. A non-issue.


34 posted on 07/19/2005 4:10:31 PM PDT by wingnutx (Seabees Can Do!)
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To: cripplecreek
And on a different note, McCain is going to cost the tax payers an extra $200 million for re-budgeting and reorganizing of the FCS program. Thanks, John.

That's what ought to be news.
35 posted on 07/19/2005 4:11:00 PM PDT by muleskinner
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To: USAFJeeper

I laughed my arse off watching Dodgeball. I also enjoyed "Without a Paddle." I haven't seen Starsky and Hutch all the way through. I was on a Cathay Pacific flight last year and S&H was one of the movies playing. I caught only part of it before switching to Mr. Bean.


36 posted on 07/19/2005 4:12:00 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: CHARLITE

The movie is rated 'R' not 'X'. Why insert that?


37 posted on 07/19/2005 4:12:19 PM PDT by steveo (Member: Fathers Against Rude Television)
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To: Halls
Sorry, but I have lost respect for MCCain over this.

Well, whatever it takes...

he is a snake, and will in no way earn the American people's trust. Shifty, beady eyes, and prolly brain damage, (if his records were ever released.)

38 posted on 07/19/2005 4:13:35 PM PDT by don-o (Don't be a Freeploader. Do the right thing and become a Monthly Donor!)
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To: USAFJeeper

I hear the new Dogerball unrated DVD has a different ending that is suppose to be great and the first choice but focus groups did not like the ending so they changed it.


39 posted on 07/19/2005 4:14:19 PM PDT by Paul8148
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To: CHARLITE

With any luck this will come back to haunt him whatever office he runs for next time around.


40 posted on 07/19/2005 4:14:33 PM PDT by billnaz (What part of "shall not be infringed" don't you understand?)
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To: USAFJeeper
The whole "the file is in the computer" scene still makes me laugh. I liked the shades of "chimps from 2001: A Space Odyssey" to be particularly funny.
41 posted on 07/19/2005 4:14:56 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: Paul8148

The only difference in the alternate ending is that it ends when Stiller's character wins and there is no rule violation that allows for the "sudden death" faceoff.


42 posted on 07/19/2005 4:16:59 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: pbear8
"I don't know...do 'bawdy' and 'romantic' really belong in the same sentence?"

I believe so.

43 posted on 07/19/2005 4:17:19 PM PDT by Sam Cree (Democrats are herd animals)
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To: andyk
John's a cutter from way back.

A tiger don't change his stripes.

Whoever put a X rating on this stupid movie, in a move to influence us knitters, does a disservice.

44 posted on 07/19/2005 4:18:58 PM PDT by battlegearboat
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To: Army Air Corps

If you can dodge a wrench....

That still cracks me up!


45 posted on 07/19/2005 4:19:02 PM PDT by USAFJeeper
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To: USAFJeeper
Rip Torn is one of the best character actors around. I liked the mail-order scammer that he played in "Trial and Error." Good stuff!

Back to Dodgeball. The scene where Stiller electrocutes himself for picking-up a doughnut was disturbingly funny.
46 posted on 07/19/2005 4:22:59 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: CHARLITE

John "Ready for My Close-up Now" McCain is so narcisstic he j--ks off to his own shadow.


47 posted on 07/19/2005 4:24:47 PM PDT by citizencon
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To: Army Air Corps

You realize I now have to go home and watch the movie again. Cause I feel silly sitting in my office laughing out loud!


48 posted on 07/19/2005 4:25:13 PM PDT by USAFJeeper
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To: USAFJeeper

"Cause I feel silly sitting in my office laughing out loud!"

No worries. Your fellow employees ("Co-worker" just sound too Marxist to me) will just think that you are disturbed and leave you alone.


49 posted on 07/19/2005 4:29:48 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: CHARLITE
Senator McCain should contact Senator Obama and they can jointly discover the "core values" of both the Democrat Party and Senator McCain.
50 posted on 07/19/2005 4:34:49 PM PDT by shrinkermd
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