Text Message to Reveal Obama's VP Nod

I guess this is another vote for text in the e-mail vs. text discussion.

I have been impressed with how the candidates are trying to reach the younger voters. As Shakespeare has said in his blogs, younger people are borderline addicted to texting! Not only that, but the anticipation of having such important information delivered to your phone is exciting. Since excitement and politics don't usually go together, Obama is definitely going to get some extra attention from the youth vote.

I agree. I actually now hear disclaimers on radio stations that ask people not to text while driving.

One driver this morning said it was against company policy to talk while driving, but there was no policy about texting while driving!

Texting while driving (Pilot In Command) is the stupidest thing you can do. Locally we lost a young girl because of that. The message was in progress when she crashed.

I can't see it. Why use some crippled form of keyboard to send a message that takes so much time that is only marginally faster than smoke signals?

It is stupid and dangerous. I have sent some when stopped at a red light. I once tried it on the highway (in a moment of pure idiocy) and didn't like the results.

Once I found Jott.com, I didn't have to worry about it anymore and could just use my hands free to send messages, in the event that it had to be sent while it was in the car. In most cases, I find, the messages can really wait until I reach my destination.

"Were't not affection chains thy tender days To the sweet glances of thy honored love, I rather would entreat thy company To see the wonders of the world abroad Than, living dully sluggardized at home, Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness."

- the other Shakespeare

The young don't vote. They never have and never will.

But they might in four years.

I try to be optimistic. I am just happy that I know a lot of people my age (20-something) are more interested, and actually know about what is happening during this election more than they had before.

I don't believe that one bit. Of course there are some that don't care who their country is run by, but there are a bunch who take pride in being able to vote!

Either that or I am not as young as I thought I was...

I didn't make this up. Data from the US Cencus:

Age

• In 2006, 22 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds voted compared with 63 percent of people 55 and older.
• Although 18- to 24-year-olds had the lowest voting and registration rates (22 percent and 46 percent), they increased their registration and voting rates by roughly 3 percentage points between the 2002 and 2006 elections. The election showed a smaller increase in voting and registration rates among younger citizens than in the presidential election of 2004

I am not saying that you made it up. Perhaps Shakespeareblah-ti-da was right in saying that it is just how I live my life. I do think that I am more informed now than I was when I was just able to vote.

Then again, the presidents don't always go over issues that reach the youngsters. Big issues like medicare and health insurance doesn't always resonate with 18-year-olds. Why should it? Presidents aim to talk about issues where the majority of the vote is concerned.

This goes back to what the Presidents speeches are and are not covering. They won't talk about an issue that concerns youngsters (I am sure that if Obama or McCain said that they would ensure texting coverage for all plans that there would be a boom of responses from kids). Do you blame the youth for not responding in massive numbers? I don't.

Jaxy,

You also attend a prestigious engineering school (and as it was my school's arch enemy, it pains me to put that in print). The population you know is probably a lot more gifted, invested, and responsible than average.

Rock the Vote, for all of it's good intentions, still has fallen short of changing the fact that there are only like 22% actually voting from 18-24.

Case in point: Back in the 80's, here in the People's Republic, the drinking age was 18. There was a binding question on the ballot to raise the drinking age to 21. It passed. Point is, if all the 18 to 20 year olds had voted it would not have passed. Even that couldn't get them to the poles.

I say that there weren't enough kids 18-20 to outweigh the amount of baby boomers that ran to the poles.

Point is, there were!

ARGH! Bricktop! You beat me to it!

On the topic of using technology to reach voters, the McCain camp also has an in. McCain's daughter runs a website with her friends which details life on the trail, shopping, and other fun stuff that a 20-something enjoys. I believe she has all kinds of readers from different age groups and party affiliations.

Despite who you're rooting for, it is interesting to see a glimpse of life inside the campaign madness. Cheers to Obama and McCain for using new, interesting mediums to reach people.

Here's Meghan McCain's website:www.mccainbloggette.com

bloggette? I can't take any website seriously that tries to make a word feminine.

But I do agree that their reach to the youngsters is a step in the right direction - especially if they are using popular technology to do it.

Okay. This is not about energizing the youth vote as much as broadcasting that Obama is technologically savvy to all voters and the media will be the vehicle to broadcast that message far and wide.

It's just another facade spun from the campaign machines to make people think Obama is technologically hip. However, Obama, himself, probably lacks even the basic knowledge to do more than replace batteries in a flashlight. I seriously doubt he has used a tire gauge in 30 years.

I am sure McCain is no better and does it really matter? We don't vote for world leaders on their ability to build a personal computer or to be Mr. Plumber. However, perception is everything and campaigns are running in high gear to provide the perception that their guy knows no boundaries.

Its anything to make that connection, though. The more they look like (or sound like or act like) us, the less cognitive dissonance we have about voting for them.

Jimmy Carter was the most tech savvy President ever! And the worst! The quality that makes a good president is the ability to pick good people and let them do their jobs. Obama has obviously found savvy people and is letting them do their job.

I am rather puzzled.

Why was the notification re Obama's coming text message, given via email?

Kind Regards....

HA. I was thinking the same thing.