Obama to Announce VP Via Text Message

by Terrence O'Brien on August 18, 2008 at 12:01 PM

It's no secret that Barack Obama has a severe technological edge over his competitor for the White House. While John McCain has been famously quoted as saying he doesn't e-mail and even more frighteningly that he is "becoming computer literate," Obama has leveraged the power of social networking and text messaging to turn himself from political newbie to front runner for the presidency.

The laughable McCainSpace can't compete with the power and size of MyBarackObama, and Senator McCain doesn't even have a text messaging initiative. McCainSpace lacks the user base, flexibility and tools of MyBarackObama, which was one of the driving forces behind Obama's early campaign. Obama also broke out his text messaging campaign early on by sharing news, reminding supporters to vote, and even allowing users to send requests for bumper stickers and ask questions of the campaign via the dedicated phone number.

Obama has put so much faith in his tech savvy supporters that he will announce his choice for vice president, not in a televised address, paper press release, or even e-mail, but by text message first. Those who sign up to receive text messages from the senator's campaign will be the first to know (outside the campaign itself obviously) who will be sharing the ticket with the young politician from Illinois in November.

Anyone who texts 'VP' to the campaign (62262) will automatically be notified when the time for the announcement comes. Conversely, John McCain will be making his announcement for vice president via town crier. [From: NY Times]

Tags: barack obama, BarackObama, john mccain, JohnMccain, mccain, obama, politics, sms, social networking, SocialNetworking, text messaging, TextMessaging

Comments

Chester BorlandAug 18th 2008 5:18PM

Neutral

Via e-mail? What a joke!!!

Dislike

Report

AlexaAug 18th 2008 6:26PM

Neutral

Chester.......it won't be "via e-mail".It will be via TEXT MESSAGE!!!McCain admits that he is not tech savy....and you just "admitted" that YOU are BASICALLY ILLITERATE.

Dislike

Report

WallersAug 18th 2008 6:58PM

Neutral

It`s amazing how low you Obamites are. So the man maybe older and does not know the difference between e-mail or texting. You are just should your arrogance. One reminder, the " older people " turn out to vote more than the younger generation. Keep on with your arrogance attitudes it only hurts your canidate.

Dislike

Report

John PalazziniAug 18th 2008 7:47PM

Neutral

McCainSpace...of as it should've been named...McSAMESpace...is a pathetic excuse for a website. Another dinosaur egg laid by the dinosaur himself.

Dislike

Report

John PalazziniAug 18th 2008 9:42PM

Neutral

McCainSpace...of as it should've been named...McSAMESpace...is a pathetic excuse for a website. Another dinosaur egg laid by the dinosaur himself.

Dislike

Report

Mike DAug 19th 2008 11:19AM

Neutral

Wouldn't this upset all his follower. From what I hear they play computer games all day instead of working. The email might interrupt their game

Dislike

Report

JAug 19th 2008 11:51AM

Neutral

I find it hard to believe that Switched would refer to McCain's space as "laughable". Putting technology before normal human concerns despite the "gee whiz aspects" of cell telephone use is not too smart, in retrospect, and may have dire consequences for the future of this country. Not everything in life these days depends upon the latest gadgetry! That just sound like more sports and athletic "superiority" talk that could limit our ability to make reasonable and sound personal judgements when it comes to really caring about people and things going on in this country and elsewhere! Shame on Switched!

Dislike

Report

L3Aug 19th 2008 12:28PM

Neutral

Thanks for the article. After reading, I sent the text so that I would be the first to know that B.H.O. is going to pick Biden.

I also followed the McCain link, made a donation, got some McCain support yard signs and bumper stickers, and I emailed the team to request a text messaging network.

I humbly suggest you all do the same.

Respectfully,

Dislike

Report

ALASKAN GOP TECHIEAug 21st 2008 2:14AM

Neutral

Obviously, the Messiah, BHO, cares so much about Alaska. That's why we can't text the "VP" message to his "special VP number..." Once again, a Lib who wants to tell Alaska and the nation how great he is, and what he will do to Alaska and how unspecifically he'll "Change", without allowing us to communicate to him.

I'll learn McCain's VP choice the old-fashioned way, through the radio or TV or newspaper. After all, my attention span is longer than a text message.

Dislike

Report

N RAug 21st 2008 9:00PM

Neutral

Obama sends a text message to announce his Vice President Pick.
McCain sends a telegram.

Who is really pushing us forward and who is holding us back?

Dislike