By an almost 2-1 margin, those people who answered this past week’s Question of the Week: Could life exist in the universe beyond Earth? answered YES.

Twenty-two — 64.71 percent — answered YES while 12 — 35.29 percent — said NO.

The Question of the Week poll is not scientific and only reflects the opinions of those Internet users who have chosen to participate. The Question of the Week is just another way the Herald’s readers can voice their opinions about issues that affect them.

This week’s question deals with John McCain and Paris Hilton.

Recently, Republican presidential candidate John McCain released a commercial comparing Democrat Barack Obama to celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. Basically, there were two images — one of Hilton and one of Spears mixed in with Obama speaking to a throng in Berlin, Germany. The gist of the ad was that Obama is just a celebrity and he’s not ready to lead the nation.

Hilton’s parents, McCain contributors, took offense to the ad, and Paris did an ad of her own in response. Hilton’s ad aired on the Web site Funny or Die on Tuesday.

For her ad, Hilton donned a leopard-print swimsuit and spoke from a pool-side lounge chair.

The AP reports her ad, in part, said: “Hey America, I’m Paris Hilton and I’m a celebrity too. Only I’m not from the olden days and I’m not promising change like that other guy. I’m just hot,” Hilton said. “But then that wrinkly, white-haired guy used me in his campaign ad, which I guess means I’m running for president. So thanks for the endorsement white-haired dude.

“I want America to know that I’m, like ready to lead,” she said.

Hilton then gave her own energy policy — a combo of McCain’s offshore drilling and Obama’s new energy technology incentives.

The AP reported McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds’ pithy retort.

“Paris Hilton might not be as big a celebrity as Barack Obama, but she obviously has a better energy plan,” he said.

Although McCain’s ad could be construed as an attack ad, The Project for Excellence in Journalism said that McCain virtually tied Obama for press attention the week of July 28-Aug. 3 — for the first time since the kick off of the general election campaign, the AP reported.

While Hilton’s ad definitely wasn’t the Gettysburg Address, it does give her some respectable attention — as opposed to the usual jail time or sex tape coverage.

What do you think?