Y R U S2pd?
Barack Obama's big plan to announce his VP choice via text message has brought out the mischievous in some people. A large number of people report receiving fake text messages announcing false names. There is little chance that things will get any better in the next few hours until the "big moment." So, by then, many people will pay no attention to the real announcement.
CHESAPEAKE, Va. – By the time Barack Obama is ready to announce his vice presidential pick, will anyone believe him?
In recent days, as speculation and anticipation has mounted, so too have phony text messages declaring Obama’s supposed running mate – from Evan Bayh and Hillary Rodham Clinton to Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps.
It’s a cruel twist in a prolonged game of guessing that has put political junkies and Democratic supporters on edge since the campaign announced last week that it would disclose Obama’s choice through text messaging, which is expected to happen by Saturday.
In the absence of real information, pranksters have filled the gap with guidance from the website Wonkette – and maybe Howard Stern, too.
What gets me about this story is that nobody in the Gang Who Couldn't Shoot Straight – er – the Obama Campaign – saw this coming? Really? Nobody? In the attempt to look young and hip, they end up looking inept and clueless. Nicely done, folks.
By Mwalimu Daudi, August 22, 2008 @ 10:22 pm
I won’t speculate on who is the Messiah’s Veep choice. For one thing, that is what He and His supporters are hoping – all the better to keep Tony Rezko out of the news for a few days. Another is that the longer He does this, the more manipulative and scheming He appears even to His closest supporters.
By MikeM, August 24, 2008 @ 10:48 am
The real point of the text-message stunt was to get a list of phone numbers and e-mails to hit up for donations. Looking "young and hip" was just the way to spin it.