As you all probably know, we've been given the chance to know Barack Obama's vice presidential pick before the "general public". I know its exciting, and certainly, I was one of the first to sign up when I received the email. It sounds great -- expecially for those of us who have been chomping at the bit to know who will be joining Barack on our buttons and bumper stickers. The only problem is, it's not going to be THAT big of a deal to get the email or text message.
I'm sure many members of the press will have gotten the information before hand through their contacts and we will probably know a few hours to a day ahead of time. There will probably be headlines like, "Obama expected to text _________________________ is his VP pick today". Even if nothing gets leaked, and it really happens the way they say it will, members of the media will also be on that list and be writing their headlines ASAP. So, unless you are permanently strapped to your cell phone or computer, you're more likely to see the headline on your internet providers main page before you even log into your email.
Either way, it's a genious move. Get some cell numbers to call and bug for money, get some more publicity and buzz as the talking heads spend all week talking about the move, and show how change oriented and computer savvy the campaign is. Can McCain do this? I doubt it. If his people did a similar thing, he'd probably be the last to know who is VP was! It would at least open up the jokes about his age even more.
So, rumors are abound in the blogosphere. Many point to Hillary, saying that the reason Bill wasn't in the official press announcement of speakers for the convention -- it's been stated he will speak Wednesday before the veep -- is because he will really be taking the Tuesday slot reserved for Hillary, and she will be taking the Wednesday speach as VP. There is a lot pointing toward this resolution to Clinton v Obama, but we've had tons of evidence for this veep and that, and still nothing.
The other most popular rumor -- that he had already chosen Feingold and was just jerking us around to make it a surprise -- seems out the door. Feingold praised McCain and got headlines for it. He assured the public that McCain in power would be a maverick and would piss off the conservative right. That may help increase right wing distain for McCain and actually help in the polls, but at the same time reassured independents making it a crappy way to help Obama. So, he must be out.
I read an interesting one about Caroline Kennedy being named to the vetting committee to find someone better than herself -- Obama's first choice according to the rumor -- and she's been unsuccessful, so Obama is going to force her into action. The theory states that she is definately an outsider, brings the Kennedy brand, the Clinton people will understand picking THIS women and not be upset, and that she's really, really, really smart. I'm not buying this one. Of course with my luck lately, it probably will turn out to be true.
The final rumor is Al Gore. Appearently, he's said some things recently that contradicted his "I can do more good outside of government" and indicate he'd be willing to do America's number two job twice. I doubt this as well. This theory states that Gore is hungry for the White House, and a run in 2016 after veeping for Obama for 8 years is his best chance. I don't like that thought. It seems voters, especially Democratic leaders, would look at the ticket wishing it were reversed, killing enthusiasm for Obama.
I'm not hearing much on Kaine. He seems kinda lame and inexperienced, not to mention unliked by Obama's base because of his record on abortion and not fighting the death penalty. Then there's Bayh, who still may be the front runner if you go with conventional wisdom. What Obama keeps showing us, though, is he is NOT the conventional candidate and is not running the conventional campaign. Just look at Monday's convention schedule. Michelle is getting top billing that evening -- highly unusual. It's a good sign to the world that women are not just there to look pretty and hug the president when he's feeling down. She will be a key aid to him as a president, as she should be, and it will set a precedent for future first ladies. Perhaps we may see Michelle in the Senate some day in her own quest to be the first female president. Stranger things have happened.
Well, looks like we're in for an interesting two weeks. Stay tuned to your email and cell phones.
Find out via Text Message the moment Barack makes his VP choice by texting MI to 62262
Or click here to find out who the VP choice is via email.
This Post i'm writting right now is a text. if you are just reading this, my apologies.
This is the link to the interview, which I copied onto the Extended Post (in case the link doesn't work):
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/15/eveningnews/main3838884.shtml.
EMK
My name is Justin and I am a first time blogger on this site. I just wanted to start this blog more as a forum for exchanging ideas for getting out the vote. One strategy I've adopted is texting all the obama supporters I know and telling them three simple things:
1) Register to vote
2) Vote for obama on (date of primary)
3) Call, text or email everyone you know who is for obama and tell them to do the same AND to pass this message on to everyone they know who is for obama.
This should work sort of like a chain letter. As obama supporters we have the advantage of being more enthusiastic about our candidate than any of the other candidates' supporters. This enthusiasm should propel our message very far.
I am targeting a lot of my younger friends who have never voted before and are less familiar with the process (who may not be registered). I'm also being very cautious NOT TO MOBILIZE THE ENEMY. So make sure you know someone is pro-Obama before you inspire them to vote for the other team. Be sure to pass this to known Obama supporters only. Make sure your friends and family do the same and keep the chain going. I've we all do our part, he will win. Best of luck and God bless you all.
J
On a sunny, 60 degree fall day at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, hundreds of students and faculty poured out onto the quad to watch as the MTV/MySpace Presidential Dialogue was being taped and streamed live on MySpace.
Barack was fired up and answered questions for over an hour.
Ms. P from Dallas, TX wrote to on our MySpace page, "The dialogue today in Iowa was fantastic... your ability to convey your beliefs and ideals about the presidency in a way that our young people can relate to is admirable. Thanks for your honesty."
Ryan in Maryland texted us, "I thought this event showed Barack at his best, he seemed to be comfortable and be able to answers the questions with ease."
Alisha from Mil Valley, CA wrote to our MySpace page, "Barack --- I just watched your MTV/Myspace discussion and you did a fantastic job. You really do inspire me, and you can count on me to help spread the word that there is finally a honest candidate for president. I want to be seeing you for the next eight years, so get to it!
Jennie in Miami texted us "I thought the MySpace/MTV bit was awe some. I found it really convenient because i was able to watch him on streaming video while at work. I applaud the senator because he did a great job covering the important issues."
You can watch this Presidential Dialogue with Barack **tonight at 7pm ET on MTV.**
Text us your thoughts on today's event to Obama Mobile at 62262 or post them in the comments section below.
Our Political Director Anton Gunn led the volunteer troops in Orangeburg a few minutes ago. Canvassers are now out going door-to-door all across Orangeburg County. Check out these two photos that were just texted in:
When they come back in from a hard days work, Ken will have the fish fry ready to welcome them!
Speaking of celebrating a hard days work with some home-cooking, Yvonne in Irmo is busy right now cooking up a southern-style meal for our Richland canvassers. Something about Barack Obama and South Carolina. This is community.
The enthusiasm is still pouring in from last night's rally -- another 150 text messages came in overnight. The majority of the messages were from young people who have been turned off by politics for most of their lives and are becoming excited and engaged for the first time. People texted the campaign with all sorts of inquiries. How could they get involved? How could they find more information on Barack's plans? When is he coming back to New York? The most powerful part of our text program from last night was that, in just a few characters of text messaging, rally participants were able to share with us how motivated they are to change this country:
+A new supporter texted in, "Fired up! Going to change my party affiliation from independent to Democratic to help Barack in the NY primary. It was a great night!"
+Marnie, a teacher from Freeport, NY texted, "It was an awesome experience , I brought my husband and son, we all wore our Obama '08 T-shirts. Obama has the spirit of Jack Kennedy! He is the refreshing voice of positive change, which America needs."
+Another person texted us, "First time that a speech has left me speechless! I cannot wait til we can call him our president. I'm fired up and ready to go!"
+And just after midnight C.B. texted, "I am a pastor in Indianapolis and I can feel the electricity from the NY rally all the way in Indiana as I read the articles and review the pictures."
Keep the stories coming in!
We received over 400 text responses during the NYC Rally directly to Obama Mobile (62262). People of all ages were truly inspired by Barack's speech tonight and are texting us their thoughts on the rally from their phones as they head home. Here are a few of the best ones so far:
+Sheila from Brooklyn, NY texted in “It was the best! I told Barack that I am a 60 yr old woman that wants her America back and I am putting all of my faith in him.. He said we will get it back!”
+Stanley texted, “It was awesome. I'm a high school student, and in coming to the rally, it has opened up my eyes on what the nation will be missing out on if he's not elected."
+Jack in Manhattan texted, “Finally an actual politician that makes me feel as proud to be an American as Jed Bartlet did on The West Wing.”
+Michelle from Brooklyn texted, “The September 27th rally in Washington Sq was informative, but more importantly inspiring. Hope for a better future is an invaluable gift Barack gives us.”
+Evan from Manhattan texted “It was amazing! Barack's ability to give a speech and control a crowd is incredible. He brings qualities to a Presidential race that we haven't seen in my lifetime!"
+And an another supporter texted, “I'm proud to say that the first election I will be old enough to vote in is the one with the most promising candidate since JFK.”
Keep the messages coming in. Text us your name your city and your thoughts to 62262.
The campaign has recognized the ever present influence texting plays in our lives and has come up with a way to keep people informed. Sign up, receive campaign text messages. It's that simple.
While this is a fantastic idea for all campaigns, for this particular one, which relies heavily on popular grassroot efforts, it seems to be even more influential. Joe Rospars, the New Media director for the Obama Campaign said, "This is a service we hope to use to continue to communicate with our growing base of supporters who are excited about playing an active role in our efforts to change this country."I agree with Joe, and plan on signing up as soon as I can find my cell phone. All I have to do is type the word GO to 62262 and I'm signed up. If you want more information, you can head over to the Mobile Obama website here
And, as an added bonus, if you sign up for Obama Mobile, you get a free Obama bumper sticker.
We are excited to announce that we just launched TXT to OBAMA (62262). This is a great and easy way for everyone on the go to stay connected with our movement.
Anyone can simply Text “Go” to OBAMA (62262) to sign up for text messaging.
If you text “GO” to OBAMA (62262) between now and June 30th, you will also receive a free bumper sticker.
Visit www.barackobama.com/go
There is no charge from our campaign for text messaging—participants will only have to pay their standard text messaging rates from their own providers.
More information is available at www.barackobama.com/mobile
Millions of Americans relying on cell phones and are cutting the cords to their landlines - so this new service is essential for us to communicate with a growing number of Americans where they’re at.
We will periodically update everyone with campaign updates, local information, public appearances, and other info. We will also use text messaging to ask for your opinions and advice and give you the ability to request information from the campaign.
In addition, I’m excited to announce that our supporters have made a bunch of great free ringtones and wallpaper designs to personalize your mobile phones and show your support.
Visit www.barackobama.com/mobile to hear these creative ringtones that remix Barack's quotes about Healthcare, the War, and even his 2004 speech. Special thanks to musicians Jin, Pete Misner, Brent Messenger & Don Lisy for the great set of first free ringtones.
Can't wait to see how this all evolves.
Ok, I know it's Father's Day, but I'm in the mood to talk about mothers. I have been thinking all week about how my generation of women is transitioning in this age of new media. I read articles saying how suburban women in their 30's and 40's are supporting Hillary and how they will be the group that ultimately gets her elected. And I see polls that say she's leading that also suggest it is because of these same women. But the more I think about this, the more it makes no sense. There is no way that traditional polling is accounting for how women my age are going to vote. I'm a suburban woman in my 30's and I wouldn't answer the phone for a polling company if I had to. How many women do you know that don't screen their calls using their caller id's? All the moms I know are at the height of multitasking when those kinds of calls come in. I can guarantee answering a bunch of questions on the phone while emptying the dishwasher, acting as a toy-disagreement-referee, planning a weekly schedule, wiping a little nose, and helping someone with their homework is just not going to happen. As a matter of fact, I have several friends who don't even have home phones anymore...they just use their cells. So who exactly is answering these calls and taking the polls that show Hillary in the lead? I have a pretty strong suspicion that it is the group of women that is one generation older than mine. This group is probably less likely to have caller id. Or maybe they have it, but don't care as much about screening out 800 and unfamiliar numbers. So their views are accounting for the rest of us. As much as I want my beliefs reflected in national polling - because I know numbers show trends that create buzz that raises money and gets media coverage - I'm still not going to answer a poll call. So what do you do if you are an organization trying to get real data in this age of new media? Send me an instant message that takes me to a website polling company. Let me take a poll generated in email. Have me watch something on YouTube and then ask my opinion about it. But don't use a technique that was outdated 10 years ago and then tell me that's how my contemporaries are going to vote. Most of the candidates have embraced new media. I just am waiting for the day when the organizations that conduct polling catch up with them.
Click here for animated demonstration of SMS text voter registration.
Although the txtvoter site is not operational right new, you can still do the same thing using govote.org's tool.
Click on the button below and notice at the upper right-hand corner you can send emails or txt messages that will allow the same easy voter registration process.
