Posted on 08/22/2008 9:40:04 AM PDT by LdSentinal
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.
“There is incredible enthusiasm for Barack Obama’s vice presidential announcement and unfortunately some people have used that enthusiasm and sent out hoaxes," said Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki, who received one herself. “We can assure our supporters these texts did not come from the campaign and their data is secure. Everyone can also rest easy that despite their popularity, Mickey Mouse and Michael Phelps are not on the short list at this time.”
A Manhattan woman got excited when she received a message announcing Hillary Rodham Clinton, but soon realized it was a joke she saw nothing more about the choice on the Internet.
There also were reports of John Kerry, Walter Mondale and even Eliot Spitzer.
On Wednesday morning, Richmond lawyer Anne Leigh Kerr passed along bad information to political types after receiving a text message from an unknown number that, in formal language, announced that Obama selected Gov. Tim Kaine.
“Now, even if Tim Kaine himself tells me he's VP, I think I'll keep my mouth shut,” Kerr told Politico.
The website Wonkette might have something to do with the proliferation of hoax messages. At 2:07 p.m. Wednesday, managing editor Ken Layne posted a step-by-step manual from a reader under the headline: “Freak Out Your Friends With Fake Obama VP TXT.”
“We are proud to help cause confusion and excitement during this terrible boring week of no news at all,” Layne wrote in an email to Politico. “But we can't really take too much credit for it – apparently one of our readers listens to Howard Stern (which is still on the radio?) and heard of the veep TXT hoax, and figured out an easy way to do it through Verizon's TXT website.”
Layne said he has personally sent about 50 messages announcing Mondale.
“So many of my so-called friends have sent hoax (texts) to me now,” he added, “that I'll probably end up ignoring the real one.”
Anyone know where and how? A quick tutorial so we can have fun?
Jimmuh Carter!
Idle hands you know. This was bound to happen.
I’m surprised Wilma Flintsone has been circulated via text message by now (although Elito Spitzer is pretty good :-)
“VP iz gonna B Jimmy Carter, lolz”
“We can assure our supporters these texts did not come from the campaign and their data is secure.”
So how ARE these people getting sent the messages? Direct friends? They’d see there they are coming from and recognize the sender.
These pranksters are playing a dangerous game. Don’t they realize that their lives are in danger when making jokes at The One’s expense?
http://wonkette.com/402054/freak-out-your-friends-with-fake-obama-vp-txt
Cindy Sheehan
Prove it isn't true... ;-)
You're right about that; I'd say he rates at least a #9.
With so much hype, anyone he picks will be a disappointment. He learned nothing from the Segway launch.
It’s anti-grav, it’s a Jetson car, people will REDESIGN CITIES AROUND IT!!!!
IT’S...IT’S...IT’S....
a scooter. Oh.
The MTV crowd has way too much influence over them, but I guess they need this juvenile constituency to believe their stupid lies.
It is now official! I just received a text from the Messiah and the text was confirmed through “The One’s” appearance in a jar of mayo I just opened.
The next VEEP of the United States according to this text message and visitation is Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders.
Obama/Elders 2008
Obama can’t successfully manage a VP announcement, but he wants to manage the country. Outrageous!
Spitzer for Obama’s VP-—is just perfect.
Like they said about Fred Ginger-——Spitz will give Obama sex appeal.
Only problem is which one wears the high heels?
Spitzfong would be a perfectly appropriate for the Demagogue ticket.
Actually, I think they should make a switch while they still can and run the John Edwards/Eliot Spitzfong ticket!!!
That would be a Demagogue ticket in the fine tradition of BJ Clinton.
They are both heels of the very low type.
Scrappleface is awesome because it's so close that you can entertain the possibility of what the bogus story is, but Spitzer or Michael Phelps as Obama running mates? What kind of a frakking rocket scientist do you have to be to believe that? What's next, Marion Berry as head of the DEA and Mel Reynolds as Undersecretary of Education for Secondary Schools?
I could see William Ayers as head of Homeland Security in an Obamastration.
Even some Obama supporters I know are starting to get annoyed at the whole circus. He needs to just announce it already. By now, no matter who it is it will be anti-climactic and a letdown.
Heh——you got that right.
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