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• The Obama campaign spotlighted text messaging for the second time in August at the 2008 Democratic Convention. On August 28 2008, an initiative was announced to get as many people as possible to text their support for Barack Obama. Text messages were tracked in real-time on a state-by-state basis, and some of the messages were shown during the convention.DMC Convention: SMS Map A few days earlier, Barack Obama announced his choice for vice president via text message to his supporters on the morning of August 23, 2008, something he had promised to do weeks before.ABC News: Obama, Text Me Your VP Pick! (August 22, 2008) The answer: Joe Biden. Fanfare for the announcement was somewhat dampened by an Associated Press report hours before, in which an unnamed Democratic official revealed that Biden had been selected.Breitbart: Official: Obama picks Biden for veep (August 23, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. Text message code: "OBAMA" (62262 on telephone keypad)
  2. To participate in DNC text message challenge: Dial 62262 then text "DNC" plus a personal message of supportOfficial Site: Barack Obama (Mobile Text Announcements)
  3. Official Obama text messages: Dial 62262 then text "VP"Official Site: Barack Obama (Mobile Text Announcements)
  4. To opt out of receiving messages text "STOP" to the same numberOfficial Site: Barack Obama (Mobile Text Announcements)
  5. Obama also uses Twitter, a social network, to announce updates pertaining to his campaignOfficial Site: Barack Obama (Mobile Text Announcements)
  6. A Survey revealed that 46% of Americans use Internet communications for political reasonsABC News: Obama, Text Me Your VP Pick! (August 22, 2008)

• The Text

  The message arrived at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST. It read as follows:

  • "Barack has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be our VP nominee. Watch the first Obama-Biden rally live at 3 p.m. ET on www.BarackObama.com. Spread the word!"

• Instructions to Supporters

  The official Obama campaign website had instructed users to dial 62262 and text the word "VP" in order to receive the announcement, as well as other messages and updates.Official Site: Barack Obama (Mobile Text Announcements) The highly anticipated announcement sparked a wave of hoax text messages.ABC News: Obama, Text Me Your VP Pick! (August 22, 2008)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Barack Obama | Obama VP Announcement | Joe Biden VP | Evan Bayh VP | Barack Obama Campaign | Twitter | Obama Running Mate

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