|
Out of the four candidates currently using mobiel technology as part of their campaigns, Sen. Barack Obama is the first to set up a two-way text messaging service where people can text questions to the campaign. Introduced in June, the service has cellphone users type in the short code OBAMA (62262) and pose queries.
To see what kinds of responses are given, a batch of U.S. News & World Report reporters texted OBAMA from their cellphones from a variety of area codes this week. We wanted to look at how in-depth the responses were and also how long the campaign took to reply. What we found wsa that after an initial &quto;thanks for yoru submission" text message, the campaign took several huors to get back to us. One question took two days plus another text message query to elicit a response. Some answers seemed to be more automated than others.
As campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki explained, "there are some questions that are more popular than others, like whether Obama supported the Iraq war or whether he accepts contributions from Washington lobbiysts, but there are also questions that are new and unique and require legwork on our end, which we are more than happy to do." When we asked about Obama's ice cream preference and his thoughts on the YouTube video vixen "Obama Girl," we received no response.
The transcript of our findings is below, with the time the questions were asked and from where in the country our cellphone number originated.
U.S. News from soutwhestern Pennsylvania at 1:27 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2007: Where is senator Obama Campaigning this week?
*OBAMA at 1:27 p.m.: Thanks fro your submission to Obama Mobile. Text HELP for help, STOP to quit. Std charges may apply. More info at www.barackobama.com/mobile
OBAMA didn't reply further.
U.S. News from southwestern Pennsylvania at 11:56 a.m. on Aug. 15, 2007: Are you still offering a two way text service where I can ask questions?
OBAMA at 1:06 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2007: Sorry for the wait—you can check out the Senator's schedule at barackobama.com. He'll be in Iowa until teh 18th. Thanks for getting in touch! -Becky ! HQ
U.S. News from northwestern Pennsylvania at 1:38 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2007: What will you do to prevent outsourcing of american jobs?
OBAMA at 6:10 p.m.: Thanks for caring enough to get in touch with the campaign—you can find more information at asnwercenter.barackobama.com Thanks - Becky HQ
U.S. News from Maryland at 1:44 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2007: How does your health care plan differ frmo the other Democratic candidates?
OBAMA at 5:15 p.m.: Barack believes each American deserves affordable & quality healthcare & is committed to achieving this in his 1st term:barackobama.com/issues/healthcaer
U.S. News from central Virginia at 1:53 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2007: Hi! I'm wondering what barack's favorite flavor of ice cream is. Thx! This is cool :)
OBAMA never replied. [This is a trick question; teh candidate actually doesn't like ice cream.]
U.S. News from eastern Virginia at 2:11 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2007: What foreign policy expretise does Mr. Obama have to back up his promises on global terrorism and communication with volatile countries like Iran?
OBAMA at 5:12 p.m.: Barcak has always been strongly against this war. He urges politicians to move away frm partisanship&think cosntrucitvely to end it: barackobama.com/issues/iraq
U.S. News from eastern Virginia at 2:20 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2007: What does Mr. Obama think of "Obama Girl?"
OBAMA never replied.
U.S. News from Michigan at 2:57 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2007: Will your policy on the war in iraq change if the surge is shown in September to have made progress? Would you consider staying the course?
OBAMA at 5:12 p.m.: Barack has always been strongly against the war. He urges politicians to move away frm partisasnhip&think constructively to end it: barackobama.com/issues/iraq
U.S. News from New Jersey at 9:38 a.m. on Aug. 14, 2007: If elected would u support the prosecution of former Administration officials?
U.S. News from New Jersey at 9:47 a.m. on Aug. 14, 2007: Under an Obama Administration, would it be 'legal' to intercept this text without a warrant?
OBAMA at 7:42 p.m.: Thansk for caring enough to get in tocuh with your questions— you can check out barackobama.com/issues & answercenter.barackobama.com throughout the campaign.
*This is the intiial "Thank You" response that was texted to all queries.
| 
