Updates below. (Close look at whiteboard in video calls Ann Coulter a "whore," etc.)
By now you may have heard about "Obama Girl," an attractive young woman dancing and singing a tune about having a "crush" on the Democratic presidential hopeful. It's all the rage on the cable news nets this afternoon. Doing some digging around the Internet, however, I was unable to find who exactly is behind the viral video phenomenon, but I did find it was registered through GoDaddy.com, the Web site registrar made a household name for its racy TV ads.
At any rate, "Obama Girl" Leah Kauffman (see update) doesn't appear to be a random young woman with a camcorder and Internet savvy. Her video "I Got a Crush on Obama" serves as the inaugural media stunt for BarelyPolitical.com, a Web site created on May 30 that has a skimpy "about us" section:
BarelyPolitical.com launches this week with “I Got a a Crush on Obama.”
Then there will be lots of other videos and stuff later.
Several sections, including this here “About Us”, will be a little more fleshed out soon.
From the look and feel of the site I'd say it's going to be like what would happen if you had Maxim magazine editors in charge of Hotline.
Here's what I found from a registration search:DomainsByProxy.com:
15111 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United StatesRegistered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: BARELYPOLITICAL.COM
Created on: 30-May-07
Expires on: 31-May-08
Last Updated on: 09-Jun-07Administrative Contact:
Private, Registration BARELYPOLITICAL.COM@domainsbyproxy.com
Domains by Proxy, Inc.
DomainsByProxy.com
15111 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States
(480) 624-2599 Fax -- (480) 624-2599
Update (15:28): Kauffman's MySpace page can be found here. As you can tell, she looks nothing like the girl in the video, so my suspicion that the voice and the body are two separate talents was correct. Oh, and Kauffman apparently is not new to doing viral video, as this Huffington Post item from January attests.
Update 2 (12:07 EDT | June 15): Noel Sheppard noticed that a whiteboard in the background of the video (towards the end of the video) has some invective about prominent conservatives scrawled on it:
Rush Limbaugh is Gross
Ann Coulter is a Whore
O'Reilly= Perv
Elizabeth [sic] Hasselbeck is total bitch
But apparently the folks at barelypolitical also "Love Perez Hilton!" a gossip blogger.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
All the more reason to have a
June 14, 2007 - 14:41 ET by mattmAll the more reason to have a basic civics test to qualify to vote.
It must be truly humiltating
June 14, 2007 - 17:09 ET by winston smithIt must be truly humiltating to be a Democrat candidate these days.
I can't wait to see Rosie's v
June 14, 2007 - 14:48 ET by Mica the MagnificentI can't wait to see Rosie's video, "I got a crush on Hillary!"
Pound for pound, she's the best on t.v. - - Rosie's agent selling the product
crush
June 14, 2007 - 14:54 ET by LionKingIs that a "literal" or "figurative" crush?
Which NBer was it that made t
June 14, 2007 - 14:55 ET by mattmWhich NBer was it that made that other video? I think they should make this a reality and YouTube it.
matt -- Could be me! Hangi
June 14, 2007 - 15:02 ET by Jack Bauermatt -- Could be me!
Hangin' with the big fat lesbian bat...
http://youtube.com/w...
As Lucy said to Charlie: &quo
June 14, 2007 - 15:42 ET by mattmAs Lucy said to Charlie: "THAT'S IT!"
ya gotta make a "crush on hillary" video...
Vote Obama for 'Pimp in Chi
June 14, 2007 - 14:53 ET by Ten7sVote Obama for 'Pimp in Chief'
Obamagirl
June 14, 2007 - 14:56 ET by Cool ArrowLet the age of Jerry Springer politics begin.
Its so sad.
June 14, 2007 - 15:10 ET by Ten7sIts so sad.
My side has this, and I must
June 14, 2007 - 15:02 ET by sarcasmoMy side has this, and I must say seem to like ladyjade3 more every time I watch one of her videos. I just can't decide whether I like her better, or ginagoddess. :)
JMR
I like ladyjade best. Meow.
June 14, 2007 - 15:12 ET by ckc1227I like ladyjade best. Meow.
Why exactly are you doing all
June 14, 2007 - 15:16 ET by LeonWhy exactly are you doing all this sluething? Who cares what the proxy information is?
Not sure what the point of this post is, but it's eerily stalker-esque
Know thine enemy, LeonLysdexi
June 14, 2007 - 15:21 ET by Cool ArrowKnow thine enemy, Leon
Keep your friends close, an
June 14, 2007 - 15:53 ET by Ken ShepherdKeep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
Not bad advice here.
[rimshot]
That's also why we obsess abo
June 14, 2007 - 16:03 ET by TruthMongerThat's also why we obsess about the treasonous MSM...!
What's the matter, Leon, are
June 14, 2007 - 15:41 ET by dabalWhat's the matter, Leon, are we exposing a political hack job to your utter dismay?
Sex sells, boy. This over-the-top effort should speak volumes about liberal candidates. I have a feeling it falls on your deaf ears, however.
dabal,I might be going out on
June 14, 2007 - 16:45 ET by Leondabal,
I might be going out on a limb here, but I'm going to say, I highly doubt that Obama has anything to do with this stunt.
So NO it doesn't speak volumes about liberal candidates.
It's a "new media"
June 14, 2007 - 15:48 ET by Ken ShepherdIt's a "new media" story. It's captivating attention in the news media. There's a 2008 campaign hook. The registrant's name is kept private when he/she could have opted to disclose the information publicly for the WhoIs search.
Ken,I understand that it's an
June 14, 2007 - 16:36 ET by LeonKen,
I understand that it's an interest story, but your post sort of made it sound like there's some sort of secret conspiracy going on.
From what I can tell this is nothing more than some rinky dink start-up website trying to get attention (and they sure got it!). And last time I checked, well-endowed women are often a tremendous attention grabber.
I guess my question is, why does it matter who the registrant is?
Stop trying to think, Leon. W
June 14, 2007 - 16:46 ET by Mica the MagnificentStop trying to think, Leon.
We got to see a hot babe with big t**s!
Geez! Why don't you analyse the 'registrant' of a Playboy centerfold, you little hanging chad!
Uh MICA,are you joking? You
June 14, 2007 - 17:02 ET by LeonUh MICA,
are you joking? You are agreeing with me. I was asking why the NBs are doing all this sleuthing.
That's what I said. It's nothing more than hot chick getting attention for some stupid website.
Your post should have started, "Stop trying to think, Ken."
But feel free to completely ignore my point so as to attack me. I'm sure it's much more convenient that way.
No, I meant stop trying to th
June 14, 2007 - 17:21 ET by Mica the MagnificentNo, I meant stop trying to think LEON!
Obama's supporters will do anything to capture that Bill Clinton mystique. You know, the 'I can have sex with someone my daughter's age and still be loved by the women'?
Trying to make it o-k for women to desire Obama is a brilliant political move.
I don''t object to it because, well, have some one read my previous post to you in your native language.
Please feel free to ignore the bigger picture.
I have no idea what your mang
June 14, 2007 - 17:30 ET by LeonI have no idea what your mangling of the English language is supposed to mean.
I accept your typical surrend
June 14, 2007 - 17:41 ET by Mica the MagnificentI accept your typical surrender.
When backed into a corner, deny you understand the language - - The proven mantra of illegal aliens and Leon
It's a fresh angle on the sto
June 14, 2007 - 17:41 ET by Ken ShepherdIt's a fresh angle on the story.
I was interested in who registered the site to see if I could cross-reference with donor lists available with the FEC to see if there's any big name behind it. A long shot perhaps but all the same, I thought I'd take a look.
I found they keep the registration private, for whatever reason.
It seems like a clever Web site to do some 2008 coverage in an unconventional and "lad-mag" style (hence my quip about Maxim meets Hotline).
I'm not judging the Web site or its successful marketing strategy. I'm just laying some stuff out there for our readers.
Leon and Ken
June 14, 2007 - 17:50 ET by Noel SheppardLeon and Ken,
Gentlemen, I think you've both missed the really delicious irony in this piece that could have a significant impact on the upcoming primary season: can you imagine an attractive heterosexual man making this kind of a video and website for Hillary Clinton?
No chance, right?
Forget about policy and campaign promises, gentlemen: this video exposes the base appeal that an Obama and an Edwards have to female voters that Hillary can't match with the opposite gender. In fact, it's likely that most men -- even heterosexual ones -- find Obama and Edwards more attractive than Hillary. :-) ns
In fact, it's likely that m
June 14, 2007 - 17:54 ET by bigtimerIn fact, it's likely that most men -- even heterosexual ones -- find Obama and Edwards more attractive than Hillary....
...more attractive than Hillary....
Bingo!
Lol....
You do know Leon
June 15, 2007 - 12:12 ET by SportPoliticsYou do know Leon this site has your IP address, and can sick the dogs of wiretap on you if you get out of line, don't you ? lol - You're in the matrix lib...and you forgot to hack the uplink.
The girl in the video is hot.
June 14, 2007 - 17:26 ET by Mr. KafirThe girl in the video is hot. But did anyone notice the pierced tongue? Only one reason to do that. She's a skank.
Mr. Kafir,At least she wasn't
June 14, 2007 - 21:07 ET by Dave RMr. Kafir,
At least she wasn't sporting braces. :-O
It wouldn't surprise me if
June 14, 2007 - 17:48 ET by Night WatchmanIt wouldn't surprise me if Jammie Guckert and Armstrong Williams are behind all this.
Why is there an assumption
June 14, 2007 - 18:05 ET by Ken ShepherdWhy is there an assumption that this is BAD for Obama?
It's a lighthearted viral video to boost a campaign "news" site that's nothing more than a way to show attractive women a la Maxim-style states of minimal dress.
It's humor and sex appeal to push a Web site that someone hopes to make money from.
I didn't mean it that way,
June 14, 2007 - 18:25 ET by Night WatchmanI didn't mean it that way, I meant -- known guns for hire kind of way.
She is serial hot. I wish she would do a "Night Watchman" version.
Obama has his support here
June 14, 2007 - 21:04 ET by RackieObama has his support here
First thoughts are Correct Thoughts
June 15, 2007 - 00:42 ET by Lame CherryMy first thought was not more democratic lame manipulation, but what kind of video Hillary would put up to counter this?
The satire on Hillary's video title, "I will crush you if you don't love me, vote for me, serve me, slave for me, cower for me........I am Hillary and I am a loveable person".
As for the video, I have seen this cutie before in her out of body or gaining a new out of voice for her experience. If Obama thinks stunts like this will gain votes, he should understand that people attracted to vids think an election is something about electricity you are supposed to shun.
So glad the liberals have such brilliant people working for them. Hillary conning people she is nice. Edwards conning people he has a mind and Obama conning people he belongs in the big leagues.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Not NEWS
June 15, 2007 - 12:03 ET by bachcottageI find this unbelieveable that Fox News (and any other credible news outlet) would even cover this ridiculous piece of trash video. Very "National Enquirer". No regard for the Obama marriage whatsoever is portray in creating or re-broadcasting this video. I don't even like the guy as a candidate. This is the state of American morality, or heck, what about good manners.
Now lets normalize adultry on the political campaign trail? Isn't that one of God's top 10? Oops, sorry to spoil the party with those "10 suggestions."