Bush-bashing is the sport du jour of celebrities

By William Keck
USA Today

In what's shaping up as one of the nastiest presidential races in decades, Bush-bashing is turning into an en-vogue celebrity sport.

But in an increasingly polarized environment, unsolicited shows of anti-Bush criticism appear to be spinning out of control, alienating both Republicans and Democrats. Here are some recent examples:

• At a July 8 John Kerry fund-raiser, Whoopi Goldberg delivered several crude puns on Bush's name. Complaints led to Goldberg's firing as a Slim-Fast spokeswoman and admonitions from both parties.
• At a July 14 concert, rocker Ozzy Osbourne sang "War Pigs" while projecting an image of Bush with Adolf Hitler. After complaints, it was dropped from shows.
• Hip-hop artist Jadakiss' hit "Why" blames Bush for 9/11. He sings: "Why did Bush knock down the towers?" Some radio stations have edited out the line.
• Even Linda Ronstadt's seemingly innocuous plea at a recent concert in Las Vegas to see Bush-bashing movie "Fahrenheit 9/11" incited some listeners and got her axed by the Aladdin Hotel/Casino.

Though these incidents seem odd, celebrities have long caused controversy during times of war, says presidential scholar Doug Brinkley of the Eisenhower Center and author of "Tour of Duty: John Kerry and the Vietnam War."

"This is not new behavior. During Vietnam, Hollywood vehemently denounced Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon," Brinkley says. "We had the Smothers Brothers on TV and actors like Donald Sutherland and Jane Fonda."

Brinkley believes Bush-bashing has "reached a crescendo" because of the Iraq war. "Artists like to see themselves as anti-war," he says.

"Fahrenheit 9/11" has further rallied celebs, including many who "aren't deep intellectual thinkers," Brinkley says.

Some celebrities feed off controversy. "You score points in Hollywood by being outlandish, so there's a publicity aspect to this," Brinkley says.

Unsurprisingly, both parties are putting spins on the controversy.

"The hate and vitriol that has surrounded Kerry's campaign has existed for months," says Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt.

Democrats are distancing themselves from offending celebs. Kerry spokesperson Allison Dobson says, "A lot of these things we don't have anything to do with. These folks don't speak for (us)."

Goldberg says she finds indignation about Bush-bashing disingenuous, particularly while "candidate-bashing has become the norm ellipsis on television, in speeches or Sunday-morning programs."

"It seems odd to me that anyone would act surprised when bashing has become second nature," Goldberg said in a statement. "Look at the commercials. They bash each other to look better."

Even so, Dobson says, Kerry hopes that celebrity supporters will keep things positive. "But of course, we don't control them."