(XBox Live gamer Dragunov765)
Obama’s online gaming ads raise eyebrows
By Andrew Heining | 10.14.08
Screeeeech. What was that? Reverse. Whoa.
That was likely the scene in one gamer’s living room this week, as he spotted a virtual billboard for the Obama campaign during an online session of the racing game Burnout Paradise on the XBox 360.
The spot, first reported Thursday and confirmed to the folks at GigaOM by the game’s publisher in an email Monday, represents the first time a major political campaign has purchased advertising in a video game.
Fresh off snagging 30 minutes of network TV airtime, the Obama camp continues to push the envelope in the battle for eyeballs. They were the ones, if you’ll recall, who launched an innovative free iPhone application that helps Obama backers drum up support among friends by organizing phone contacts in battleground states.
But this newest ad venture might not be without its pitfalls. Posters for the Burnout series were banned from the London subway last year by the UK’s Advertising Standards Agency. The ads in question bore the slogan “inner peace through outer violence,” and were taken down for being “likely to encourage violence, dangerous driving, and antisocial behaviour.”
Besides the game’s questionable pedigree, the ads’ medium has come into question. Wagner James Au over at GigaOM points out that the campaign could be accused of sending mixed messages:
<< New estimates on global warming | MainEarlier this year [Obama] was telling audiences that parents need to “turn off the television set, and put the video games away.” Then again, since the Burnout billboard specifically advises gamers to vote early, maybe it’s his subtle way of trying to get them off the couch.
Comments
2. Daniel Pham | 10.14.08
By now people should know what the real Obama is. Sadly, rhetoric will not make real change. Only, real experience and still-respect-God-attitude will make difference. If a person promotes good family values then goes around applying gambling to reach as many voters as possible, that’s questionable. That’s not politic as usual, not slicky, deceiving maneuvers. What will happen when Obama, God forbids, reaches the White House? whatever convenient and serving his need, he will do it, no matter what; Do we need such a president? I don’t. We will never have perfect nor full reliable, truthful politicians, but the lesser of the two evils is always a better bet.
3. Attikai | 10.14.08
“Earlier this year [Obama] was telling audiences that parents need to “turn off the television set, and put the video games away.” Then again, since the Burnout billboard specifically advises gamers to vote early, maybe it’s his subtle way of trying to get them off the couch.”
Since the ads are targeting adults (because only adults can vote) I don’t understand the point of this comment. A Google search will reveal that 40% of adults play video games.
4. Pamela | 10.14.08
Obama has no morals, He will do anything to win. These games are dangerous, and our politicians have no place on them.
6. Bruce Yarbrough | 10.14.08
I congratulate them on the use of the gaming medium. This is a monumental moment that any campaign can embrace technology and use it to its full potential. With the rising percentage of people who play games the tv viewing percentage goes down and in either case the candidate need to get their message out. So what better way to ensure all potential voters are reached? It doesn’t mean that Obama is contradicting his statement that we need to “turn off the television set, and put the video games away”. That may be his opinion and regardless of what you he believes you are going to do what you want, including continue to play games.
7. Nettie | 10.14.08
How is this ad sending mixed messages? Obviously you have to be eighteen to vote therefore this ad is meant to encourage those who are 18 or older to get out and vote. Obama’s previous statement to parents turning off televisions and putting away video games was about parents encouraging their children to get out and be active, and engage themselves in activities with their children. Where is the contradiction???…..It doesn’t exist.
8. Virgil | 10.14.08
People seriously interested in our country and the world will not vote for Obama. This is typical of his target audience. Teenagers who want change without knowing what they want, people who want something for nothing, and people who feel guilty for having what others don’t will vote for Obama’s Marxist beliefs. Under Obama we can rename our country “The People’s Republic of the Americas” and call each other “Citizen”. The sad part is that half the people in this country will applaud as democracy falls and socialism takes over…
10. George | 10.14.08
This clearly isn’t aimed at the young kids that Obama was suggesting need to turn off the TV. This is aimed at gamers who are old enough to vote, which would be the majority of people playing this game.
11. lamark | 10.14.08
THIS IS BY FAR ONE OF THE SMARTEST POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS I HAVE EVER SEEN.
THEY ARE OPERATING ON AN ANOTHER LEVEL, THE LIKES WE HAVE NEVER SEEN!!!!
OBAMA’S ARGUMENT IS PLAUSIBLE TO TELL KIDS TO PUT AWAY THE GAMES AND DO HOME WORK, B/C THIS AD ISN’T TARGETED TOWARDS THEM, THIS AD IS TARGETED TOWARDS THE 18-34 YR OLD, B/C AFTER ALL SOME 93% OF XBOX OWNERS ARE B/N 18-34YRS OLD.
WOW! THIS IS TRULLY THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX…NO PUN INTENDED. WHERE’S MCCAIN’S SAVVY AD????
12. ohhhthepossibilities | 10.14.08
Virgil wrote:
“The sad part is that half the people in this country will applaud as democracy falls and socialism takes over…”
The really sad part is that you probably believe that. Ignorance is bliss, I guess.
13. Ben | 10.14.08
I don’t know about you guys, but I play video games to escape the trappings of the real world. Being reminded of it while speeding down the virtual street isn’t my idea of a good way to spend time.
14. Kyle | 10.14.08
A strange game to choose for a billboard, I think, but a progressive move nonetheless. It is about time that a poltician demonstrates a modicum of understanding of the 21st Century, as opposed to seeming to be a technophobe.
15. Laura | 10.14.08
I am so sick of the crazy arguements against Obama. People say they want change, but then when a candidate comes along who has different ideas of how to do things, these same people are all of a sudden scared of change and cower under their cloak of ignorance and scream “He’s too different! He’s not one of us! He wants to change the system! He’s a Socialist! A Communist! A Marxist! A Muslim! An Arab! A terrorist!” Get real.
16. Kat | 10.14.08
First, I don’t see what the issue is with the ad. As others have stated adults play games too.
Second, where are some of you getting this idea that Obama will turn this into a marxists/socialists/facists (or insert whatever your fear is) country? Bush..a republican..has already done so much to take away our rights and ruin our reputation, you want to let another Republican continue his path? McCain keeps changing his tune and seems desperate and out of touch, and Pallin is just plain scary. I fear for this country if she ever ended up having to replace McCain as our leader.
17. Scott | 10.14.08
“By now people should know what the real Obama is.”
Yep, hence my strong desire to vote for him.
“Sadly, rhetoric will not make real change.”
No, only strong morals and new ideas, something only Obama has in this race.
“If a person promotes good family values then goes around applying gambling to reach as many voters as possible, that’s questionable.”
The article is REALLY SHORT, you could have read it before replying. You may have noticed it has NOTHING to do with gambling. If you read “online gaming” as “gambling”, that’s understandable, but if you read the article you’d realize it meant “online racecar driving”. Video Games, not Video Poker.
The opposition thinks “good family values” means “unethically abusing our power to get our family member’s ex fired”. Even her own state ruled her actions unethical. Ethics and real change = Obama.
19. Patrik | 10.14.08
“Earlier this year [Obama] was telling audiences that parents need to “turn off the television set, and put the video games away.””
Uhm… so how is an ad in a video game sending any more of a mixed message than ads on *television*?
I’m sure Obama also thinks kids should read more books. Does that mean he should restrict his campaign to only put ads on bookmarks? Sounds to me somebody is trying to manufacture a controversy where there isn’t one…
“If a person promotes good family values then goes around applying gambling to reach as many voters as possible, that’s questionable.”
Gambling? Huh - did I miss something? I thought we were talking about a video game here?
As for Obama’s “Marxists beliefs” - puh-leeze! Obama is about as left-leaning as the average Canadian or western European politician. Actually, he would probably pass as a conservative in Europe. If you think the US is more democratic than western Europe, maybe you should get yourself an education. As far as I’m concerned, a two-party system is just *one* better than a one-party system…
20. Dan | 10.14.08
A canidate who supposedly cares about the enviroment, endorsing something that promotes glorifying gas guzzlers?
21. maz hess | 10.14.08
the ad is not mainly an ad for obama it is mainly an ad for early voting. So what is the problem?
22. Omair | 10.14.08
I don’t understand the people posting here. Some of them are plain lying to make it seem Obama isn’t what he is. You know what? Adult’s are reading here with minds of their own and they can easily see you trying to deceive them! Gosh, if you dont want to vote for Obama (most probably because of his race) due to your ignorance then don’t…but stop creating false propaganda.
This Ad campaign really shows Obama & his crew thinking outside of the box and know they need to reach a more “normal” audience as well, since most of the rednecks in the rural area’s are just that.. liar’s & ignorant.
I hope Obama wins.. should be a lesson for all the ignorant people out there just trying not to vote for a bi-racial president only because of that reason but creating other FALSE reasons to not do so. Pathetic.
23. Mike | 10.14.08
I think this was a pretty darned smart move. They should set up campaign offices in 2nd Life too. Very innovative. This is a campaign that “gets it.”
24. Omair | 10.14.08
Only 18 and above can vote. This Ad is towards the gamers above 18. Obvious. Also, Obama is NOT contradicting himself. When he tells parents to put away the video games, he means to say to allow children more of other activities. He’s not banning video games for god’s sake. That line about him does not make sense is just a political ploy against him.
25. Linda | 10.14.08
Well at least we won’t accuse the gaming industry of sending mixed messages. They are all shoot em up burn em up crash em up violence. I’m thinking the Obama campaign could have let this one go by. For the most part, it’s been an exceptionally brilliant campaign, all classy, but this one just tells me that my candidate wants ALL the electoral votes, no stone unturned sort of thing. Looking under these stones is reaching out to the electronically addicted. O yes, that’s true of internet politics too. Spicy food.
26. Steve | 10.14.08
Is the game free or discounted because of the advertising.
It is nice to know that while I am playing video games to blow off steam I am being subjected to marketing and advertising. Can’t we get a break from this?
27. Bruce, in Colorado | 10.14.08
“Obama has no morals, He will do anything to win. These games are dangerous, and our politicians have no place on them.”
Because he advertises IN a game? He isn’t advertising FOR the game.
28. Pluto Animus | 10.14.08
“The sad part is that half the people in this country will applaud as democracy falls and socialism takes over…”
The idiot who wrote that apparently reads as few newspapers as Sarah Palin. The Bush administration just announced it will NATIONALIZE the banks — an essential feature of socialism.
So, if you oppose socialism, VOTE AGAINST THE REPUBLICANS, YOU IDIOTS!!!!
29. Innovative | 10.14.08
Thank you Omair for being the voice of reason. I know LOTS of grown men and women who play video games online. And it doesn’t have to be Grand Theft Auto to be an online video game, either. I am a 30-something who plays word games online weekly. And no, it’s not pornography or gambling either. And I have a masters degree, a very good job, a 401k, an IRA and I own my home outright. Or at least what’s left of my 401K and IRA after 8 years of Bush.
Times are changing and obviously they are leaving some of the people who posted here behind.
Go Obama/Biden ‘08 and congratulations not being afraid to try something new. If I owned a business, I’d want your team helping me grow it.
Now I’m off to donate more money to his campaign.
31. Vernon | 10.14.08
It’s just another case where the McCain campaign has been outmaneuvered, yet again. Their criticism belies their jealousy.
32. Steve | 10.14.08
The time for “old white dudes” to run this country is over. Obama knows it and he’s wanting to include a younger crowd in the political process. I don’t think we shouold fault him for trying to get the next generation involved in the selecting their leaders. McCain and his supportors are just scared that the young voters will actually show up and vote, that’s why they knock these types of advertising moves. We’ve seen what happens when these old guys get a hold of our country, they drive it into the ground and leave a 700 billion dollar charge on their children’s credit card. It’s time for the younger generation to take a hold of this country and steer it towards our future. McCain is stuck in the past and out of touch. Obama is the future. Si, se puede!
35. Ada | 10.14.08
You have to give credit to Obama’s campaign. This is the campaign which is really thinking on political campaigns in the new modern world.
36. Gerry | 10.14.08
Omair, inferring that anti-Obama people are racists (”Gosh, if you dont want to vote for Obama (most probably because of his race) due to your ignorance then don’t”) shows a lot about your own morals and ignorance. It’s also a logical fallacy employed by deceitful people when they can’t make a real argument.
Innovative, it’s nice to see that you’re a successful person, etc, but I’m curious, did your IRA and 401k take a nosedive before or after the Democrats took control of Congress a couple years ago? Bush didn’t help the country with the way he has handled the Wars, etc, but suggesting that the gas, stock market, or other major economic problems are problems that have spanned Bush’s 8 year terms is more than a little bit specious.
As for those crying hypocrite for Obama advertising in a game… Get over it. His campaign is reaching out to the gamer crowd just as they’re reaching out to the texting crowd and the social networks and many other “new” medias. While Obama and his advisors are hiring intelligent marketers, it’s not like he personally identifies with any of these things. While he plays basketball, he’s still your average politician, and your average politician lives a very abnormal life compared to your average American citizen. Odds are he plays video games about as often as he does fist pumps.
As for those who are getting offended by the accusations of socialism, etc, well, sorry to tell you, but the Democratic Parties consistent efforts to increase social programs, provide universal healthcare, employment, etc, and otherwise take care of American citizens is pretty much socialist. If that’s what you want, fine. Just don’t get offended when people call a rose red.
37. cemoor | 10.14.08
Virgil writes, “People seriously interested in our country and the world will not vote for Obama.” That’s assuming that everyone agrees with Virgil as to what is important and urgent, sees the world through his same eyes, and shares his personal ideology.
I care for my country. I care for the world we live in. I’m voting for Obama. All that means is that we both care for our country, but we feel that different things are of greatest value.
The sweeping statements so many people make - completely unsubstantiated or proveable - are a poor excuse for argument.
38. LolaSanderman | 10.14.08
Wow, I can tell who the older, non-gamers are in this comment section. Hey guys, this is the new frontier . . . welcome to it. I know, I know this is the probably the first time you were even AWARE of the sophistication of games and that games have loads of advertising in it already. Welcome to the 21st century.
Glad ONE of the candidates is in “the present” with us.
I’m sure the arguments you see here where the same arguments the “radio” crowd had about TV and comic books - back in the day. Hey, a little secret . . . [whispers] we’ve moved on. Come join us. It won’t hurt you, promise.
39. patrick | 10.14.08
Some readers question the seeming conflict and suggest there is none since the ads are targeted at voting age adults not kids. But Obama’s previous comments were in fact for young parents to put down the games and spend more time with their kids so this defense is off the mark. Obama is my choice, but I can still admit when facts don’t support him.
40. Al | 10.14.08
There was a time when The CSM had a reputation for professionalism and absence
of bias. You can kiss that goodbye.
41. Mave | 10.14.08
I wish I had TIME to play video games! They can be a great stress-reliever at times.
I also admire the innovation of the gaming-based ads, and they offer a creative way to inject realism into the game.
As for Allen, in post #30, I admire Obama’s suggestion that they should, and will, vote. For too long America’s youth has been encouraged to “go for the ride” by older persons, not realizing that later on they are the ones who will pay for it. American young people enjoy many privileges; shouldn’t they be expected to field some responsibilities as well?
42. Martin | 10.14.08
The Barrack Obama campaign has shown some innovative ideals. They are using the Internet to their best advantage. That’s the kind of person I want to be President. Rather than be afraid we should embrace the future with hope. Hope for a change we need to move forward. New wave of IT innovations are on the way, watch out.
43. BDev | 10.14.08
Obama is a socialist and he’s not ashamed of it. It’s not the Right trying to scare you. Socialism is his game-plan. Oh he tries to dress it up: “Redistribution of wealth” but it’s socialism. Bill O’Reilly called him on it in his interview with him and he never once said “that’s not true”…he simply smiled because it is.
He is the wing of the Democratic party that they have been trying to fight off for years. America is a capitalistic society and have been fighting against socialism which eventually leads to communism for years. I think it is absolutely ridiculous that someone with such views has made it as far as he has. It’s embarrassing that some people think that he’s the best that the Dems had to offer this year.
Hillary was right. His greatest accomplishment was that speech he gave in 2004. Not all change is good. He’s always talked a good game but has never delivered. Take a look at that community that he organized. He wants to do that on a national level?
Before someone tries to call me a racist, I am African American too (more so than him) so…. How does someone with so few accomplishments make it so far? He comes from the worst political machine in the country: Chicago and he never fought to change that garbage but as POTUS, he’s going to be all about “hopey, hopey, and change”. You Obama supporters are like a cult and if he wins this election, you’re going to get what you say you want.
I think David Koresh’s followers felt he gave good speeches, too. Heck, I bet Jim Jones followers would say the same about him but…where are they now?
The left is absolutely loony. Maybe some of you need to play fewer video games and need to start paying more attention.
44. Chris O’Rourke | 10.14.08
As an avid gamer (I’m 33, married, have two awesome little boys, a successful network engineer and public speaker) I find it incredibly shortsighted and ill informed when people say video games cause violence. Hundreds of studies & government research have proven that there is no correlation.
The games I play:
Peggle
Team Fortress 2
Portal
Assassin’s Creed
Bioshock
Counterstrike
Many violent games in there. Yet I have no record of violence or any other criminal charge. Most of my friends are also gamers and not violent. I’m also an very educated voter and switched my vote 4 times since the primaries started.
As for Allan’s comment due to the mismangement of Bush’s administration yes, the youth are going to vote.
As for promoting gas guzzlers Dan, according to that logic, I’m teaching violence to my children letting them play “Viva Pinata: Party” by encouraging them to commit “pinata violence”.
Please people think. Before you spread rumor or repeat what pundits say. Voting is the most important right we have. Don’t waste it. Go vote (in the name of truth not rumor or deceit).
46. Bambi | 10.14.08
No, the question is: did Obama generate more publicity from the ad itself, or from the articles about the ad?
47. dottydo | 10.14.08
Pamela,
“Obama has no morals, He will do anything to win. These games are dangerous, and our politicians have no place on them.”
Have you ever googled the two words Obama Odinga.
Seems the plan got a lot of practice in Kenya before being deployed here.
Apparently,Obama and his paternal 1st cousin Odinga, wanted to bring the whole of Kenya under Sharia law. Obama campaigned for Odinga in August of 2006,just before he filed with the US Federal Elections Commission for his presidential candidacy.
48. Sorry Retards | 10.14.08
The only good Mcain/ Palin are good for is gutter politics!. Welcome to the 21st century people! IT is the future! so I can’t understand why some people are relating what Obama has done with Kids and homework! the message is on the wall “advertising” on a higher gear
49. asc | 10.14.08
Allan, maybe you could answer that question by giving your memory a workout and thinking back to the primaries.
50. Mei-jun | 10.14.08
“People seriously interested in our country and the world will not vote for Obama.”
Let’s see who the world would vote for.. http://www.whowouldtheworldelect.com/
There isn’t- and shouldn’t be, any raising of eyebrows. The campaign is reaching out to different crowds; it’s just another example of how Obama is able to introduce something creative and successful.
51. Gigwhite | 10.14.08
For the naysayers, I guess a campaign website, oh, in fact a “MySpace” site also raised eyebrows…until it began to work.
52. Robin | 10.15.08
Where’s the beef? The eyeballs are already there. Why not place your message in front of those eyeballs?
In that sense, it’s the same as an ad on a real billboard. It’s smarter than using a real billboard, though, because the novelty generates buzz, which increases its impact and extends it well beyond the game context, turning it into a billboard on the larger info highway. It’s a bit like the old Burma Shave signs, because we’re all looking at the unusual ad concept and talking about it….
53. lochmonster | 10.15.08
“If a person promotes good family values then goes around applying gambling to reach as many voters as possible, that’s questionable.”
“Applying gambling”? You mean gambling like selecting a completely unqualified, completely unknown, a person who unethically abuses her power as a VP candidate? That kind of gambling? Or maybe you mean regularly going to casinos to play for thousands of dollars and being in cahoots with casino owners? Because McCain does both.
You are an idiot Daniel Pham
54. lochmonster | 10.15.08
OH I didn’t realize the American media practiced CENSORSHIP.
I feel like I’m in China.
Yes CSM I am talking to YOU
55. Donald | 10.15.08
Well hello BeefSupreme!Seems like you have your head in the sand as so many of your cohorts do!Throwing out uneducated rubbage(as is typical).If you had been a P.O.W. and had your hands crushed and made almost unusable on a typewriter as happened to John McCain,I suppose you might stay away from a computer yourself!Get a life!At least the man had honorable men to “Pal around with”in the P.O.W. camp!And while he fought “Terrorists too!As a Navy Officer he also learned well how to be a leader!I don’t see any of that in your choice of support!I do see several shady assocations however!Wonder how many others he has in the Chicago underground?
56. Thomas | 10.15.08
Who cares? You think Obama actually does the ad buying? This is minutiae in his world right. Predictable knee jerk responses.
57. Repack Rider | 10.15.08
This is why Obama is going to win so big that no one can argue he didn’t deserve it. His campaign is as 21st century as his thinking, and McCain is stuck with a steam powered campaign to match his intellect.
58. Paul D. | 10.15.08
Swings between fascism and socialism every 8 years. We’re about finished with 8 years of fascism and now we’ll swing to 4-8 years of socialism. In the end the net is a much needed balance.
Corporate fascism (like Italy/Germany 1930-40s) - bringing nationalism, disdain for human rights, identification of scapegoats for unifying cause (terrorists!!), military supremacy, controlled mass media (Google “seven Jews”), obsession with national security, religion and government intertwined, corporate power is protected, disdain for intellectualism and the arts, obsession with crime and punishment, rampant cronyism and corruption, fraudulent elections (see Florida 2000, Ohio 2004). (Republicans)
Populist socialism (like Germany, France, Britain, Canada and other developed Western Nations where corporations do not yet control the government). Free education (K-12 and University level), Free health care for all humans, social net for those who lose their jobs as a result of previous socialist/fascist administration’s poor decisions in selling out our country, free re-education for those whose skill set is outdated, equal pay laws for humans, equal benefits rights for humans, equal treatment under the law for humans, overtime pay laws, minimum wage laws, civil rights and government accountability/transparency laws, industry regulation laws. (Democrats)
Yep. I think it’s time for a fascist->socialist switch. And in 8 years or so we’ll switch back each side in turn undoing the worst the other side has done.
America. Split into two groups. Everyone wonder why there are more than two presidential candidates on the ballot, yet only two presidential candidates have been on each presidential debate thus far? I would imagine a presidential debate to be between all presidential candidates, not just the ones that are provided for us by the corporate government.
59. Kevin | 10.15.08
I think this is so smart.
You’re complaining about being advertised to while playing a game?…have you ever played an EA game like Madden or College Football? There are ads everywhere.
There are ads all over every website including this one. If companies like Tostitos, Burger King and Nike can place ads in games, movies, and radio, and even buy the names of stadiums and bowl games, an Obama ad in an Xbox game is bothing. Xbox came with Mountain Dew ads when I bought mine. This isn’t new at all. Obama’s just the first politician savvy enough to do what soft drink and clothing companies have been doing for years to get their message and name across.
Obama’s campaign is on another level. Future campaigns will be studying Obama for years to come, whether he wins or loses.
60. Ricardo | 10.15.08
Get a grip! It is a new day, as the 14 point lead in the national polls indicate. If adults play videogames (they do) and if the oldtimer’s campaign has not figured out how to reach voters (beyond palling with an over-her-head power abuser), tough cookies! If minors addicted to violence are forced to watch a political advertisement peedling hope (instead of the old man’s fear, doubt, mistrust and denial), KUDOS to whoever tought of it.
61. Ed | 10.15.08
As a gamer, I like to have that “world” as my escape from all of the political and economical crap that goes on. It’s my form of escapism. The LAST thing I want to see are political banners, regardless of the candidate, in my game.
I was going to vote for Obama, but this kind of invasion into my safe-haven has immediately changed my mind.
And, for the record, yes, I do also quit purchasing those non-gaming products try to slide those subtle ads into the gaming world, as well. (That means you, Pepsi!!) It’s an annoyance and it’s my own little boycott to keep fantasy world separate from reality.
62. Average American | 10.15.08
Wow,
I use to like some EA games..
What sell-outs!
They should at least put the Red Hammer & Sickle up with those ads!
Now we get to pay to be advertised to with this BS!
Think Hitler or Stalin trying to influence every aspect of your life!
It’s a grim future indeed with this NoBama Nazi!
No more escapism, not in an Obama world…
63. TXvoter | 10.15.08
While game advertising in whole seems to be smart, I don’t know that it would be effective for political gains. Given that people interested in politics usually do a little more research than looking at posters and bumper stickers, someone influenced by this ad should not be voting.
I find it strange that Obama supporters resort to call out “racism,” “ignorance,” etc when others do not agree with supporting their candidate. I’m not crazy about either option. Both have histories of socialist tendencies, and both have moved to make government larger and more oppressive. For me it boils down to who is going to grow it least, raise taxes the least, and a comparison of records.
64. TXvoter | 10.15.08
While game advertising in whole seems to be smart, I don’t know that it would be effective for political gains. Given that people interested in politics usually do a little more research than looking at posters and bumper stickers, someone influenced by this ad should not be voting.
I find it strange that Obama supporters resort to call out “racism,” “ignorance,” etc when others do not agree with supporting their candidate. I’m not crazy about either option. Both have histories of socialist tendencies, and both have moved to make government larger and more oppressive. For me it boils down to who is going to grow it least, raise taxes the least, and a comparison of records.
65. Shelly | 10.17.08
Godwin ftw!
For the record to those of you who think that voting against Obama has anything to do with race… I voted for Alan Keyes when I knew my vote wouldn’t even count because by the time my state’s primary came up, he was all but out of the race. It is not about race, it is about ideals.
66. MK | 10.19.08
I typically expect intelligent analysis from CS Monitor. None of that to be found here.
>>>Earlier this year [Obama] was telling audiences that parents need to “turn off the television set, and put the video games away.”
So by this article’s argument, he should never appear on television either.
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1. Skizim | 10.14.08
“Wagner James Au over at GigaOM points out that the campaign could be accused of sending mixed messages:”
“Earlier this year [Obama] was telling audiences that parents need to “turn off the television set, and put the video games away.” Then again, since the Burnout billboard specifically advises gamers to vote early, maybe it’s his subtle way of trying to get them off the couch.”
There’s no mixed message here…GET it through your heads, ADULTS play games TOO! It’s not like we’re courting minors here…MINORS can’t vote, after all.