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Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor August 11, 2008 11:01 AM

In the latest sign of how technology -- the Internet in particular -- is transforming politics, Barack Obama plans to announce his running mate via email and text message.

"Barack Obama is about to make one of the most important decisions of this campaign — choosing a running mate," Obama campaign manager David Plouffe wrote Sunday night to backers in, what else, an e-mail. "You have helped build this movement from the bottom up, and Barack wants you to be the first to know his choice

Obama has a new webpage where supporters can sign up to receive email updates. "You can also text VP to 62262 to receive a text message on your mobile phone," it says.

With Obama on a family holiday in Hawaii through Friday, the conventional wisdom is that he'll announce his vice presidential pick next week -- the week before the Democratic National Convention. But the text message, apparently, could come anytime.

22 comments so far...
  1. What's the text number for I Don't Care?

    Posted by Overrated Hussien August 11, 08 02:22 PM
  1. John McCain Here........uhhhhhh..what's a text message ??

    Posted by The 21st Century is Now !! August 11, 08 02:44 PM
  1. Can I get a text for when McCain is going to have to wear adult diapers... it should come within the same time frame.

    Posted by pat August 11, 08 03:05 PM
  1. I think Hillary Clinton, will be great VP.

    Posted by George Lima August 11, 08 03:08 PM
  1. I would not vote for Clueless McCain no matter who Obama chooses as VP

    Posted by RoboticMcCain August 11, 08 03:14 PM
  1. I like the sentiment: they need to get the news out, but who needs to be the first to know. He's already proven that he doesn't need a "press release" as such, just a mass email to his supporters and it makes front page news. Ostensibly, he's giving the info straight to the people rather than letting all the middlemen make a buck disseminating it. I like it because isn't this how it should be? A candidate *should* be directly informing his supporters. There's no reason to be letting the info trickle through news organisations.

    Posted by Heder August 11, 08 03:16 PM
  1. To Overrated: Apparently you DO care, since you cared enough to not only read the article, but also to comment on it. Like with most things, if you don't want to see something, turn away...if you don't like what's on TV, turn it off or change the channel...if you don't like what your kids are watching/doing, create an acceptable alternative...in other words: institute Change You Can Believe In ;-)....hmmmm, now THERE'S a catchy phrase!

    Posted by Victor August 11, 08 03:31 PM
  1. Yet you took the time to read AND comment...so, you must care just a little bit.

    Posted by Gherig38 August 11, 08 03:45 PM
  1. he's on my do not call list...............

    Posted by wyoming92 August 11, 08 04:10 PM
  1. McCain is doing a similar promotion. If you go to one of his campaign offices and give them your address, they will send you a post card telling you who his VP is. I guess they've already printed up the McCain/Jeb Bush postcards, but my moles tell me they are leaning towards McCain/Libby instead. Oh, and before you ask yourself why McCain would choose Libby since he was found guilty of committing a federal crime, I will remind you that Bush didn't think he was guilty and gave him a pardon, so really he's innocent and a perfect VP choice.

    Posted by Jim Harboro August 11, 08 04:11 PM
  1. Just another case of Osbama being Manny...

    Posted by hudson bay August 11, 08 04:14 PM
  1. Just shows how divisive Obama really is! Why choose only Internet media? Why not all communications media? This guy discriminates the computer-illiterate. Has he ever heard of the digital divide? What an idiot! You call this the New Democrat?

    Posted by mk August 11, 08 04:31 PM
  1. Do you want a Muslim to run the US ? then vote for OBAMA.

    Posted by McCain 08 August 11, 08 04:49 PM
  1. "But the text message, apparently, could come anytime"..wow this is exciting! Just like Santa on Christmas Eve..we just don't know when he's going to slide down the chimney!...im going to leave out milk and cookies..

    Posted by Freddy Blassie August 11, 08 05:05 PM
  1. McCain 08... It is your stupid, idiotic posting that stains the reputation of normal McCain supporters who would like to be part of a healthy debate about who the best president would be. As a McCain supporter myself I am embarrassed by people like you!!!

    Posted by Dontbeanidiot August 11, 08 05:37 PM
  1. A Muslim to run the US?. Holy gosh. We can never let that happen! Judge a man by his religion? The next thing you know they'll be freeing slaves and allowing women to vote. I can't keep score, McCain 08 -- is Obama a Christian follower of Jeremiah Wright, or a Muslim?

    Posted by Stop the Madness August 11, 08 05:55 PM
  1. This is nothing new. John Kerry announced John Edwards via an e-mail.

    Posted by Brian F. August 11, 08 07:17 PM
  1. Hey, Dontbeanidiot:

    You should pick your allies and your candidates more carefully.
    Don't be so Politically Incorrect, sweetheart! You're one of those Sensible Republicans. I can tell. Subaru, nice house in Lincoln, just want to make sure you keep the tax breaks on all the nice investments (in the wife's name, and the trust fund for the kids, of course).
    McCain '08 is your base. Big Mav John loves him some McCain08. Arguing with him is like running in the Special Olympics. If you don't know the punch line, I'll let him tell you.

    Posted by Waltham_Crank August 11, 08 08:34 PM
  1. McCain08 - what are you, the New Coke, to go with W's Old Jim Beam?

    Hey, Dontbeanidiot: How much of an idiot do you feel like knowing that those fat checks you're sending Johnny Maverick go to Rove to keep people like your buddy McCain08 yappin'?

    Honey, as Blanche said to Stella, "Don't hang back with the brutes!"

    Posted by Waltham_Crank August 11, 08 08:59 PM
  1. Obama will select Jim Marzilli as his running mate . He will help capture the Women's vote (or women anyway).

    Posted by Elliot Spitzer August 11, 08 10:56 PM
  1. I hope Obama chooses John Edwards. What's the big deal? Obama is going to lose anyway.

    Posted by Peter Guild August 11, 08 11:39 PM
  1. dontbeanidiot.... You are right about McCain 08. you can disagree with someone but you don't have to stupid. I am voting for Obama but I respect Mccain for what he is .

    Vilaire

    Posted by vilaire August 11, 08 11:39 PM
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About political intelligence Field reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors covering the 2008 presidential campaign and the national maneuvering of Bay State politicians.

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