Obama Text Message

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)

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!"

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)

• ABC News: Obama Texts Biden Pick to Supporters (August 23, 2008)

• Los Angeles Times: Omg! Beware of Fake Obama Vp Text Messages (August 22, 2008)

• Sydney Morning Herald: Sms Mischief in Fake Obama Text Messages (August 22, 2008)

• Political Radar: Gov. Kaine Addresses VP-Watch and 'Viral Bizarre... (August 21, 2008)

• Politico.com: Text Hoaxes Plague Obama Vp Plan (August 22, 2008)

• ABC News: Obama, Text Me Your VP Pick! (August 22, 2008)

• Washington Wire: Michael Phelps for VP? (August 21, 2008)

• Switched: Obama to Announce VP Via Text Message (August 18, 2008)

• The Huffington Post: LOL -- Obama To Announce VP Via Text Message (August 11, 2008)

• CNET News: Psst! Barack Obama Will Text You His Veep... (August 20, 2008)

• Wonkette: Freak Out Your Friends With Fake Obama VP TXT (August 20, 2008)

• US News and World Report: Q&A With the 'Obama' Text-Messaging Service (August 18, 2008)