Obama Campaign: Watch The Debate On CNN

I just received the following text from the official Obama text message number (62262) which first sent out the Vice Presidential news:

Watch Barack debate John McCain tonight at 9pm Eastern on CNN. Also, remind friends to register to vote at VoteForChange.com. Please forward this message.

This is particularly odd given that the debate will be airing on every network, both broadcast and cable, at 9pm Eastern. Has the Obama campaign officially endorsed CNN?

When contacted, an Obama staffer said it was "shorter than saying 'on cable news,'" and that they were "not trying to make news."

A CNN representative told me, "It was a complete surprise to us."

In July, the campaign blasted a text promoting Obama's speech in Berlin saying, "The speech will be live on CNN."

Update 6:30 PM: The Obama campaign must have revised its message. I've just now received a follow-up text saying,

Watch Barack Debate John McCain tonight at 9pm ET on any of the major networks or cable. Fwd this msg & remind friends to register to vote at VoteForChange.com

Looks like the campaign figured out how to speak SMS short-hand and thus free up enough characters to type out "any of the major networks or cable" vs. "CNN."

Comments

[PKSSK]

Once MSNBC dropped Olbermann and Maddow from the line up of after presidential debate coverage I chose to watch CNN only. I watch MSNBC for Olbermann and Maddow only.

[Pulemerci]

I'm surprised the Obama campaign didn't say to watch it on MSNBC. Those pundits get a "thrill up their leg" when Obama speaks.

[jah2008]

One more letter. CSPAN. Works for me.

[HallStyle]

I use to watch only MSNBC, but now I mix it up. I watch a little Wolf, then I turn it Chris Matthews occasionally will throw in Shepard form FOX (he is ok). Lou Dobbs sucks but he is funny to look at when he gets pissed off. Next I Keith (The Real Deal) Olberman. I flip to Campbell Brown back and forth, I have never looked a whole hour of The Oreilly Factor with Bill Oreilly. His show sucks, he get his ratings from DUMB R E D N E C K Republicans. Rachel's show is good but I like Larry King. Hannity GO TO HELL. Anderson Cooper doesn't really have any good competition so I watch him by default. But I CNN is a great network. MSNBC could learn a thing or two from them.

[AgeofReason]

We watched CNN in HD (the only HD news we get) and recorded MSNBC on our DVR. CNN didn't do much with cameral angles, pretty much going for close-ups only, so the post debate commentary on body language did not make a whole lot of sense until I watched again on MSNBC. Then I could see what the pundits were talking about with McCain's lack of eye-contact and angry manner. I found CNN's score cards and live feedback from the focus group both fascinating and and distracting. I noticed 2 things from that feedback: Obama was able to get positive responses from Democrats and Independents almost every time he opened his mouth, and often from Republicans as well whereas McCain only seemed to please Republicans; and Independents always registered their displeasure whenever one candidate attacked the other, something McCain did A LOT! These facts made it clear to me that Obama won the debate with the undecided voters. GOBAMA!

[JadedAggie]

If they were hoping for bias they would have used MSNBC so it seems obvious they were just trying to fit the message within the character requirements. I got both messages and to be honest I read through the first text without even realizing they had specified CNN.

[Faith101]

Well CNN do have the largest audience, including internationally, but I don't think that it is a big deal. Because CBS has high ratings as well, everybody don't have cable.

[Veratruth]

I checked many of the posts, and I believe this headline should be retracted. It is MISLEADING and WRONG. People got different messages, referring to the debates. The main objective was to remind people to watch.

[Veratruth]

NOTICE: ... VERY IMPORTANT: CNN was the ONLY network blacked out my television last night. I watched the debate on MSNBC and switched over to check CNN several times. This morning, it was still out and I called Avenue Cable, (Vincennes, IN letterhead). They said "sorry we will try to get it fixed." It is FINE now, but I'm furious.

[Veratruth]

I did NOT get a TEXT. Anyone who got a TEXT message, PLEASE reply. Let's see if this is a downright LIE. Hope Republicans don't LIE and say they got a text.

[u193302]

I got both messages...

[HallStyle]

You have to sign up for text messages from the Obama Campaign on his website.

[jazzpotato]

Oh no! I didn't get that text msg, and missed the debate watching HBO.

[Veratruth]

I did NOT get a TEXT message, But, perhaps some crazy/mad person/persons succeeded in blocking CNN in some areas because they thought we all got text messages. See my previous post.

[AmericanWoman09]

I was completely disgusted that the Obama camp endorsed CNN. In all reality it probably was a naive staffer. I sent the campaign this text right after I received theirs:

“FYI … The debates are airing on ALL major networks and cable news. Suggesting we tune in to CNN gives the appearance that the Obama camp is in cahoots with CNN.”

I never received a personal response from them, but was happy to receive the updated and more appropriate text at 6:56 pm.

[Veratruth]

I doubt that Obama camp endorsed CNN. I watched MSNBC since CNN was blacked out for some suspicious reason.

[KitChandler]

If Obama becomes President, he owes Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow some type of gratuity whether it be a thank you or a position on his staff.

He may not be aware of the significance of their support but I honestly don't think that he would be where he is today without their advocacy.

[MountainBiker818]

Imagine the outrage from the left if mcsame texted his supporters to watch faux news.
    
Fortunately, liberals are hypocrites and will blindly ignore the double standard.

[4wehttam]

We wouldn't care. We already know McBush supporters primarily watch FIXED Noise anyway. At least the campaign said CNN who actually are more moderate than NBC, CBS, ABC or MSNBC.

[Veratruth]

Yes...FIXED Noise is the network that Republicans love because it fulfills their longing for lies and distortions (split screens and pictures).

[tottie2001]

This is so not an issue. But of course leave it up to a conservative to make an issue out of something to avoid speaking about something of importance. Who cares what channel anyone watches a debate on? If McSame sent out a text to watch on Faux news then ok, so what?

[HallStyle]

He doen't even know how to TEXT. Hell he doesn't have to text them anyway. Most of the people that are going to vote for him don't turn there TV off that stinking channel anyway! That why so much of the lies go unanswered.

[larry278]

I thought there is a reason why I enjoyed CNN's broadcast of the debate & found it to be informative & unbiased. It was the doing of Obama's devious operatves. What? Do they think that the USA is a free country with liberty & justice for all? They must also believe in objective, truthful reporting in the MSM, too. These Obama operatives don't respect the art & tradition of political spin by the MSM. They are wily. You can't watch them closely to limit their ruthless pursuit of freedom & justice because they move so quickly, quietly too. Trolls beware, a new force for equality & justice is on the loose & will change the USA for the better before you & your paymasters can act. You all have lost this battle.
There will be many more battles. The malefactors of great wealth & supporters of tyrany will regroup for other battles--after they recover from this defeat & severe drubbing. The recovery of the malefactors of great wealth & supporters of tyrany is by no means sure. The recovery will take a great deal of time AND money, lots of money. Green money will have to be used liberally [sorry for that l word] to heal the many deep wounds of you & your supporters, the wounded heels & of the well heeled.

[Bademus]

I had to change the channel from CNN. That graph going along the bottom was distracting and annoying. I really just wanted to watch the candidates and their body lanugage and listen to what they were saying preferring to know what other,s impressions were after the debate, not second by second.

[Veratruth]

I think you may have omitted one important factor. There is a greater power than the one you describe.

[concernvoter]

MSNBC is #1!!! CNN is okay as long as they have Jack Cafferty, but Wolfe and Lou Dobbs are just like John McCain. "OUT OF TOUCH'

[4wehttam]

I actually enjoyed CNN last night. I liked hearing from all sides. I especially liked the polls they conducted and the focus group (which I believe was better than the one on FIXED Noise).

[Veratruth]

Did you receive a TEXT message?

[stevebest]

dond diss Lou man. he is the only reporter with the balls to report on the north american union

[HallStyle]

Stay off of my boy Wolf! He is CNN! With out him and Larry King that network would suck eggs!

[bogues]

Who in the world cares what station people watch or are incouraged to watch. By suggesting CNN, did that in anyway alter what people saw or heard, of course it did not!