I am embarrassed to admit, that I don’t follow politics or current events very closely, (Cosatu strike? Why? Where?) but I am fascinated by American politics. And apparently, so is a huge portion of the online community. McCain and Obama are battling it out to be the United States’ next president and it seems like the gloves have already come off much to the viral junkies’ delight.

Unruly Media’s Viral Video Chart’s Top Ten videos for this week feature no less than FIVE American political virals that are each spreading like wildfire across the Internet. There are so many reasons that this is a hot topic right now – anti-Bush sentiment, a black versus white, the oil crisis. But one of the main reasons for this campaign having such a far reach is that it is finally getting interesting, in the soap-opera-he slept-with-my-mother’s-nana’s-aunt kind of way.

McCain has recently hired a new campaign strategist and he is truly shaking things up. Policy pushing and “vote for me” ads are out and instead discrediting the competition seems the way to go. Don’t get me wrong, Obama is not exactly above this style of campaigning, but it is widely believed that McCain is guilty of starting it. So, what exactly does it matter? Analysts are all quick to agree that the moment a politician resorts to slating the opponent, he (or she – sorry Hillary) knows that he is behind and is pretty much resorting to desperate measures.

And the relevance to us? Paris Hilton is now involved. Yes, I am serious. I am the first person to roll my eyes at her, but for once, I am pretty impressed. McCain’s latest Obama attack was to imply that he is a mere useless celebrity (cue image of Paris) and that he is not presidential material.

And now would you believe, Ms Hilton took time out of her shopping and acting (hee hee) schedule to respond. And at the rate her viral is spreading, she is packing a massive punch. Finally an online video of Ms Hilton that we can watch in front of our moms.

Whatever happens in the presidential election, it promises to be interesting for us viral junkies. And the moment Britney joins the fray - we’ll let you know!