presidential race within a virtual race

EA Confirms Obama Ads in Burnout: Paradise | GamePolitics.com

^ "I can confirm that the Obama campaign has paid for in-game advertising in Burnout. Like most television, radio and print outlets, we accept advertising from credible political candidates. Like political spots on the television networks, these ads do not reflect the political policies of EA or the opinions of its development teams." -- Holly Rockwood, EA director of corporate communications

These are breathless times we live in. As a gamer I tend to be on the pulse, actively or even tangentially seeking news and information about the goings-on in this $62 billion dollar global market and culture that, sadly, still seems largely looked down on and put down by certain politically influential groups, particularly the older, less technologically enabled and decidedly insular generation.

^ Burnout Paradise demo gameplay. | Accolades trailer (YouTube)

So it was incredible and seriously refreshing to see presidential candidate Barack Obama racing to the forefront to embrace progressive 21st century tech and focusing on young voters who are passionate gamers whose lifestyles and by extension political positions revolve around this interest. At the same time it does make his contender, John McCain, look even more fossilized , distant, and of the 20th century. Where are McCain's ads in games? Why has he not reached out to young voters on their terms? How is it that he can't even learn how to use technology to augment his campaign and inform himself beyond relying 24/7 on his staff?

Not only is Obama actively reaching out to gamers (specifically in the most hotly contested battleground states), he has also used text messaging to officially announce his running mate, and had software designers create a free app for the iPhone to help us track his progress and enable us to reach out ourselves to family, friends, and associates to spread his message.

Now if that is not the sign of a very much needed hip, tech savvy, youth respecting 21st century U.S. president investing in this country's future while securing the present, I don't know what is.

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