Okay, I'm really irritated with Obama on this one.

[Occam Bandage]

Not the Biden choice; I love Biden and think he made the best choice possible. Rather, I'm referring to the text-message debacle. I was looking forward to that moment of giddy anticipation when I would get that text message and see, for the first time, who of several options it would be. I was happy he was giving the MSM the runaround. It was going to be fresh, modern, snappy, and exciting.

Instead, I spend the whole day feeling progressively more frustrated and disappointed with the silence. Then, the story starts slowly leaking out on CNN: It ain't Clinton, it ain't Bayh, it ain't Kaine, the secret service is dispatched to Biden's house...

So in the end, the story comes out at 10pm Friday night, his supporters feel toyed with, and by the time The Message goes out, everyone will have already known it for 12 hours. Yeah, "the media fixated on him today," but they would have if he had announced it at 5pm, too. Hell, he coulda really thrown them for a loop and announced it in the middle of their evening broadcasts. Yeah, he got a bunch of new email addresses and phone numbers, but that doesn't mean he had to play with us.

So, um, great execution, guys. Sure hope you know what you're doing, because it feels to me like you tried to stretch this thing out just a day too far.

[Dinger]

1. I Feel Used

Because I was

[FrenchieCat]

15. You used yourself.

If it wasn't Wes Clark, you had already set yourself up to be disappointed.

[Dinger]

23. Whatever

And I know that. I'm not the type to "fall in line." I trust my judgement and my emotions.


I'm voting a straight Dem ticket in November, so don't worry.

[FrenchieCat]

42. I know that about you Dinger......

that's why you are still posting here. You would have left long ago othewise.

Remember, you're talking to an original Clarkie.

I love our guy....but I think this will be for the best. Trust me on this.

[RichGirl]

17. Maybe Obama...

...Thought we would have better things to do on a Friday night than spend every second of it on the internet with CNN in the background. If we had all gone out and had fun like normal people, we wouldn't know it was Biden. We could be waking up in the morning with our hangovers to a text message SURPRISE!

[Dinger]

27. True, Good Point (nt)

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

36. It is a good point, we're all addicts here.

:toast:

[blonndee]

46. LOL.

That is cute, and so true. "every second of it on the internet with CNN in the background." Guilty! :rofl:

I've disagreed with some stuff you've posted, but this is a good point and you made me laugh more than once. Thanks!

[VolcanoJen]

74. That's a terrific point

Everyone at my work tonight was completely unaware, and the guests sure seemed to be tuned out. If they went back home and turned on the Olympics, they'd wake up to the news in the way we didn't get to.

I'm sure it was the Obama Camp's intention to have a dramatic Saturday morning roll-out. They successfully built anticipation since at least Tuesday, and ruled the news cycles between veep drama and McOpoly. As Friday wore on though, the media was just far too anxious, and eventually the dam broke. I don't look at it as a screw-up or failure; just that the secret got so big that when they finally told Biden he was the choice, the leaks were going to start to come. DUer tekisui http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6701774">pointed this out the moment the story broke that Obama had informed his pick... sure, they were watching the short-list houses, but they were also watching their staff.

Maybe the only way to have saved the surprise would have been to wait until the wee hours of the morning to inform Biden? But that doesn't make logistical sense.

I still say, Good Play, Obama Camp! They ruled the news with a carrot and a stick for four solid days. :-)

[Madam Mossfern]

99. Actually, I woke up this morning

to a front page article about it in the Newark Star Ledger.....then I checked my e-mail and found that I received notification from the Obama camp at 9:18 this morning. I was a bit disappointed, but not so much that I'm not thrilled about the Biden choice.

Just think of all the phone numbers and e-mail addresses the campaign got to help the GOTV effort....amazing.

[SaveAmerica]

2. I'd demand a refund if I were you...

[Occam Bandage]

Of what, my donations? Nowhere near *that* irritated.

[Bonobo]

3. Who told you it was going to be today anyway? Where'd you get that idea? nt

[gblady]

33. I could not find....

any information from the Obama camp that put a date on the announcement.
Today was all media speculation...and supporter hype.

[virtualobserver]

4. I would hold the irritation until he announces.....

If he picks someone other than Biden.......His strategy worked.

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. nano-violin

[NRaleighLiberal]

6. Different strokes....I've loved every second of it, and as of now only the dreaded MSM

is making proclamations. I feel exhilerated by it all...and fully expect to know for sure when I wake up tomorrow.

[gateley]

7. AFTER he notified Bayh and Kaine, BEFORE that news leaked - that's when

he should have done it.

[redstate_democrat]

He should have broke it this evening.

Made no sense to stretch it out this far for Biden, the obvious choice. But whatever. He knows what he's doing.

[Orangepeel]

8. yeah, but most people won't be

most people haven't been glued to CNN or a political message board all day sifting through clues. It will be news to them. The press will love it because they will have figured it out.

Meanwhile, the media has been talking about how much sense Biden makes (instead of trashing him) and McCain leaked that Romney will be his running mate (true or not) and nobody gave a damn. Hah!

[Quixote1818]

70. Thats the point I made below

The text message will probably be sent out around 4:00 am and will be on their phone when they wake up. It will work perfectly for probably 9 out of 10 people. This stuff about Biden didn't break until most people were asleep.

[CarbonDate]

81. Yeah, but what about those of us on Guam?

It's 4:13 pm on Saturday here and I still haven't gotten my text message. Didn't think about that, did he? :P

[bigwillq]

9. I think it was a brilliant ploy.

IMO, the best thing Obama has ever done. :bounce:

[WeDidIt]

10. Blame Clinton, Bayh, and Kaine

They were the ones that leaked they weren't the pick.

[TwilightGardener]

37. Maybe they got tired of the game too, and just wanted the reporters

to go the fuck away.

[WeDidIt]

44. Then blame them, Obviously they didn't have the requisite discipline

and that's the main requirement at this point.

Apperently, Biden has passed the discipline test.

[TwilightGardener]

47. They had the discipline--no leaks out of them.

I'm pretty sure Obama allowed them to call off the media hounds.

[WeDidIt]

48. Prove it n/t

[TwilightGardener]

49. ??--I'm not feeling hostile toward the losing candidates. They are probably

good, professional people who did the best they could.

[Andrea]

78. good idea

I was looking for something else to blame on clinton. Thanks!

[blonndee]

11. Oh well.

That's what I say to my students who whine and cry about stupid meaningless shit. Then we MOVE ON and get down to the business and fun of the day.

[oldtime dfl_er]

12. I'm fine with it

He dominated the news cycle all week. Mc Cain ain't gonna make no strides at all, with the weekend coming and then the Dem convention. It's kept all eyes on him for some time and that's no bad thing.

[mzmolly]

13. The media has been watching peoples homes.

We can't prevent speculation.

[Occam Bandage]

No, but we can preempt it.

[mzmolly]

24. Not if we want to generate enthusiasm for tomorrow's speech.

:shrug:

[Occam Bandage]

29. It would have about the same +/-, since everyone knows it's Biden by this point...

[oldtime dfl_er]

14. self delete

double post sorry

[SteppingRazor]

16. I think he should've knocked it out 3 or 4 p.m. today, in time for evening news...

but what do I know? I'm sure they've got their reasons, and this doesn't strike me as anything close to a huge gaffe, especially when most people in the media are still concentrating on how many houses McCain has.

[TwilightGardener]

18. I'm with ya.

[Connie_Corleone]

19. Has anyone actually SEEN the secret service at Biden's house?

I'll wait for the official announcement.

[democrat2thecore]

83. YES! CBS Radio at 2:00: A reporter live at Biden's house said ....

"There are dark suits with earpieces arriving and making it clear a security perimeter will be established and that they are working with the county sheriff's department and details will come soon. The reporter said "There's no hiding what is happening now."

[FrenchieCat]

20. I'm hiding this one.

I don't need to be demoralized for not good reason.

This ain't about you.....

[grizmaster]

21. The text roll-out is going to take about 3 hours

So over 90% of those following this closely are going to find out through the media first anyway.

[Catherine Vincent]

22. We're not certain that it's Biden. nt

[Ilsa]

25. I hear you. It was irritating, how the other most likely candidates

have been revealed to have been excluded until there is only one likely candidate left. The last few days have been well-played, but not tonight. I'm glad I didn't sign up for tect messaging, etc.

Biden is a good pick, overall, I think. He'll give good counsel I bet.

[Beregond2]

26. First of all, he always said he would make the announcement

Saturday. Did you really think he would destroy his official announcent to the world by telling his followers the day before? "Before" could mean five minutes before, which is what I always expected. Second, nothing at all has been revealed yet. We still have no idea who the choice is. So all this about everyone knowing for twelve hours before the announcement is nonsense. ABC knows nothing. Get a grip.

[goodgd_yall]

69. He didn't "always" say he'd make the announcement on Saturday

When he would was always speculated. Obama never said when he would make the announcement.

[Danieljay]

28. take a deep breath, go out and have a drink, see a movie.. and rejoice. Your way to serious about

this.

How do I know? I spent the entire day glued to me effing keyboard and lost out until my wife talked me into a drink and a movie.

[NotThisTime]

30. I'm waiting for the 2am phone call!!!

[Ilsa]

96. If you are in CDT, then you were right on the money, unfortunately! nt

[eleny]

31. I never signed up for it

I just figured that I'd find out here at DU seconds after the news was sent out.

Hey, try and roll with the flow. Remember this - Obama isn't Kucinich. :D But he's the one we're voting for to save the Supreme Court. Nothing else really matters to me as much as that factor.

Millions are waiting with us for Inauguration Day. That's when Bush get his pizza delivery.

[Erin Elizabeth]

32. I was never signed up to get any text message.

I've been busy as hell this week, so I've just been checking in to DU here and there when I can (last night I got a rare few hours to read here). Tomorrow I've got a list of things to do as long as my freaking arm, so unless I happen to hear something on the car radio while running around, I won't know then either.

I don't really feel used at all, but I'm sorry you do.

[Frank Booth]

34. Is it really this big a deal?

This crappy text message thing ruined your day? I hope you're kidding.

[otohara]

40. I Was Looking For The Sarcasm

thingy in the OP.

[WA98296]

52. His word being worth shit fucked my day.

[KAZ]

56. Then get off this board. He's the nominee, and you just posted..

.. that "his word is worth shit". Hopefully someone will alert. And hopefully, we'll run into each other in person some day.

[Andrea]

79. I figured that out a while ago.

Remember FISA?

[Frank Booth]

85. Good one!

:spray:

[Andrea]

86. Thank you very much.

:hi:

[nsd]

35. I agree.

They let this go about a day or two longer than they should have. Of course it was going to leak, after they called all the people who weren't picked. Now the text message will seem kind of dumb.

They got what they wanted (names and numbers), but they probably didn't secure many more data points by stretching out this extra day.

I'm irritated now too. I probably won't turn on my phone tomorrow morning. But I'll think I'll be back into it when I watch the rally in Springfield.

[I Have A Dream]

76. Well, they did get to have McCain's "number of house" story go a day longer.

If he had announced today, that would have overshadowed the "number of houses" story, which I think is really important.

I think that it was well played.

[Orrex]

38. Damn right--I'm so outraged that I'm going to vote Republican from now on!

McCain in 2008 and 2012! Mitt in 2016 and 2020! Jeb in 2024 and 2028! GOP forever!

[otohara]

39. Oh For God's Sake

If the media is talking about him in a positive way, that's a good thing. Have you heard of the Friday night news dump strategy? CNN, MSNBC, FOX and maybe even some of the networks will be doing special programming tomorrow when people are home to cover the big announcement.

His ability to gain the cell phone numbers of millions of supporters is a great thing. Democrats are transient bunch and difficult to reach and if they can update phone numbers for volunteers, I say thank you Sen. Obama. Have you ever phone banked? I get more "sorry, the number you have reached is no longer in service"

I love seeing the media in a frenzy, trying to figure out who is the chosen one.

[WA98296]

41. If it is Biden, I agree it has been badly fumbled.

[bowens43]

43. boo fuckin hoo

[MilesColtrane]

45. It's a lot of money spent to (presumably) tell some folks what most of them will already know.

This guy crunched some numbers.

http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/8/barack-obama-s-million-dollar-text-message-

[Quixote1818]

68. Most people won't know. They will have gone to bed not knowing

and they will wake up and see the text message on their phone. It will work perfectly for them. Maybe it will cost a million bucks but they will have raised 50 times that just for trying this concept out.


Remember that DUers are not like most people. We are political junkies who stay up until 2:00 am to hear the latest rumor. Most people went to bed hours ago with no clue Biden is probably it.

[slinkerwink]

50. It was Evan Bayh who leaked it to CNN

[KAZ]

51. Kinda disappointed in you Occam.

Did you really think that Obama was playing to us (we here on DU)? I'd be really worried if he did.

[Bonobo]

57. Me 2.

[KAZ]

66. Good to see you Bonobo.

I was having such a fun day, for a change, and all of the sudden I'm getting worked up. I love DU, but my BP is now at about 180. Not worth it.

Peace.

[Bonobo]

92. What's buggin' ya, man?

Go to the dojo. Work it off.

[KAZ]

102. Unfortunately, I haven't been to a Dojang in over a year.

My local school, which used to be absolutely wonderful, grew a little to big, too fast, and eventually collapsed. The group that bought them out have a weird feel to them, and very TKD-centric, so on my ass I sit. 20#s overweight, 34 inch waist, and the lungs of an 80 year old. It's amazing how quickly you fall apart at my age. :)

[Phoonzang]

53. I agree. If he was just going to pick the guy

everyone said he was, why bother to drag out this text message crap so long. He already had millions of numbers added to his database, why wait until Saturday?

[KAZ]

55. He never said when the decision would be released.

He might wait until Wednesday. What will you do then? Pull your hair out? Cut your wrists? Cry?

Grow up.

[Phoonzang]

58. Why so rude?

Try to get understand why someone would possibly be upset by something Obama did. Perceptions matter.

Grow up.

[dansolo]

95. Because they wanted to take advantage of McCain's gaffe

McCain's number of houses gaffe was a gift. My suspicion is that the Obama campaign fully intended to release their VP pick on Friday, but when the McCain gaffe dropped in their laps, they took advantage of it for another day. They weighed the pros and cons, and decided that the risk of dragging out the VP announcement a little longer was much lower than the reward of having a real solid issue to attack McCain with.

[PresidentObama]

54. Yawn n/t

[sampsonblk]

59. I agree

Poor decisions on this one.

[David Zephyr]

60. This is looking sloppy. What happened to the text messaging and the campaign discipline?

I'll wait for the text message and take Obama at his word.

[Barack_America]

61. Not everyone watches cable news and hangs out on political discussion boards on a Friday night...

It will be a surprise for them.

And we've been sitting here all week trying to figure it out 24-7. Wasn't the point of this kinda to beat the text message.

So yeah, we basically got what we asked for, but fuck Bayh for officially leaking.

[Naturyl]

62. I'm sorry, but...

Get over it! Obama doesn't owe you any silly text message at any specific time. The message will come tomorrow, I'm sure.

Having said that, I agree the Obama campaign overplayed their hand. I predicted this afternoon that it would be leaked if they didn't announce then, and that's what happened.

As a result, we will have to hear the self-centered crying of those whose all-important text message didn't come in time.

[Quixote1818]

63. Was it like the scene in a Christmas Story where he uses his secret decoder ring

to decipher the secret code and it says!!!!!!





.......Be Sure To Drink Your Ovaltine. :argh:



Look, most people who signed on went to bed before all this happened and they will wake up and the Text Message will be on their phone and it will have worked perfectly for them.

[goodgd_yall]

64. Agreed

He just should have announced it as soon as there was this certainty it was Biden, which happened by early evening EST. As it is, he still isn't making the official announcement until the morning. Not well handled.

[Rowdyboy]

65. Remember back when Clinton picked Gore in 1992? Yeah, me neither.....

Biden is a great choice. How the hell was Obama supposed to keep the msm from speculating about his vp choice?

[yardwork]

67. You have got to be kidding. This has been a dream for the Obama campaign.

The media are talking about Obama nonstop - for days.

This is politics.

[barack the house]

71. C'mon this is just minor. We've got military credentials that's all that matters. We're back in ->

the game.

[LynneSin]

73. You got a man whose son will be sending in his absentee ballot from Iraq

Beau Biden ships out next month.

[LynneSin]

72. It's not really Obama's fault - it was leaked

Plus when you have 6 reporter vans with live uplink, they're gonna note immediately when the secret service shows up.

[Andrea]

75. Naive

If anyone inside or outside the campaign thought this whole text-message thing was going to come off the way they claimed, they are very naive.

Three can keep a secret - if two of them are dead.

[Pushed To The Left]

77. I was a little annoyed at first, but it's really not that big of a deal

Of course, when the text message finally comes it will be a little anti-climactic. I'm looking forward to Biden sinking his teeth into McCain, Bush and whoever the unfortunate soul is that McBush chooses for his running mate. Get'em Joe!!

[Alexander]

80. He is still punking the MSM - they don't know shit.

All they have are anonymous sources and reports of Secret Service at Biden's house.

Conveniently, there's NO footage of the Secret Service, even though they've been at Biden's house all day!

Doesn't that strike you as odd?

[Heather MC]

82. i BLAME THE MEDIA, they have no respect. they were hoping to break this story

for bragging rights
I choose not to believe until Obama makes it Official
and i secretly hope his is a big elaborate joke and the real VP is already in Chicago.
:rofl:
Not that I mind Biden
I just want to watch CNN clean the egg off their face

[wileedog]

84. They did, but I blame Housegate

They clearly did not want to push that off the news cycle any sooner than necessary. Without it I think the texts would have went out yesterday or the day before.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

87. I wonder whether Obama was planning to announce it earlier

But then he postponed his announcement because of all the delicious fallout due to McCain and his houses. I do kind of agree with you though and, if it is Biden, then the media outlets are going to be gloating non-stop about they were one step ahead of the Obama campaign

[book_worm]

88. Well you cry babies are giving everybody in the media there talking points. Hope you enjoy it.

[CreekDog]

89. i think they intended for this to work

but it didn't.

my guess is that once it was impossible to remain a secret, it was too late to text people because it was late at night in some places.

[mokawanis]

90. In the grand scheme of things - who cares?

Getting that text message may have been a fun way to find out who Obama chose but does it really matter?

[WinkyDink]

94. It was Team Obama who made the Big Deal about it, IIRC.

[krawhitham]

91. The media broke the story before Obama wanted it out

That is not his fault, the problem was the people who were turned down leaked the info

The 1st word from the Obama camp was the text messages, he did all he could

[Rosa Luxemburg]

93. The MSM are very determined!

[goclark]

97. It was brilliant ~ he had them jumping and sent us the "official"

notice, not them.

He did exactly what he said he was going to do.

[fishwax]

98. It was fun watching the networks chase their tails, but the ending was anti-climactic

It would have been nice if the text message had actually beaten them to the punch, but it was good theater for the most part ...

[ellie]

100. It wasn't the thrill ride

I hoped it would be. But honestly, it is impossible to keep such a secret.

[jane_pippin]

101. I really don't care. It would have been nice for it to come while

I was awake, and sure, I'm a little disappointed that it came out through the media first, but so what. It's just a text message and it was a neat idea. It was the first tme it's ever been done--that in itself is kind of cool. And it the anticipation with others at work, or friends or whatever was fun.

My two cents: Don't take it personally. Who knows why it took so long. The logistics of the whole thing were probably ridiculous, both in terms of technology and making sure all the people who needed to know before sending it knew. I think overall they showed a pretty decent level of discipline.