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

[sensiblegal]

I thought I was the only one who thought that David Gregory was REALLY biased against Obama! What's with that anyway? Maybe Fox should offer him a job.....

[kellygrrrl]

David gregory has done a fair job of hiding his obvious bias :)

[Safire]

LOL. So true.

[tel8034]

Why make a mountain out of a molehill?

The debate is being aired on ABC, NBC,CBS, MSNBC, CNN, FNC, and CSPAN ..........­...... Take your pick.

However immediatly after the debate I'll be tuning into MSNBC for a SPECIAL Countdown With Keith Olbermann for debate commentary, and will probably watch a later rebroadcast of the CNN commentary.

The only issue here is that voters ACTUALLY WATCH THE DEBATE.

[luvangelHussein330]

That's my normal routine...­what are you my twin...?!

[AdamInMaryland]

C-Span all the way.

We don't need no stinkin' commentators!

http://longshotpolitics.wordpress.com

[bigbenny]

If the CSPAN in your area isn't covering the debate watch it here: http://www.c-span.org/

[Kittridge]

I would imagine that they are doing this not to slight MSNBC, but to try to avoid having FOX NEWS have the highest rating.

I will be watching on CNN simply because IT IS IN HIGH DEF, PEOPLE! When is MSNBC going to get with the program?

After the debate, however, I will switch to MSNBC for their commentary.

[HateLieCheatKillRepubWay]

When the wooden doll Gregory is gone.

[murphysgirl]

I'll be watching MSNBC after Gregory is done..He kinda gets on my nerves!! He's so in the tank for McCain!!

[macman851]

CNN is the only network that will be airing it in HD that I can get on DirecTV

Although judging by the shots of McCain from the cancer ad, I dunno if I want to see McCain's face up close in HD.

[hbw3]

Ah, wonder if that's why...

[Eoin45]

It could very well end up like the Kennedy-Nixon debate. People who listened on radio thought Nixon won. People who watched it on TV thought Kennedy did. Kennedy looked youthful and vigorous. Nixon was sweaty and be-stubbled. HD will only magnify the physical difference between McCain and Obama and should give Obama an edge.

[NC4Obama]

non story whoever sent out the text msg shouldn't of picked one show, big deal.

[1PALady]

I'll be watching MSNBC as soon as David Gregory is done for the night.

[oscartucker]

Me too. David Gregory is not a good anchor or comentator for that matter. This story is not a "gotcha"; no need for it.

[mrllmc]

Can't stand David Gregory...­he's a right-wing hack disguised as an independent. Furthermore, if he receives the nod to be the permanent host of MTP on Sunday's, I'll stop watching the program alltogether.

[elroybug]

yes, just can't take that guy.

[DebofMD]

I know MSNBC has had Barack's back for the most part, but David Gregory has not; so it's probably wise for Obama supporters to tune in elsewhere until Keith, Chris, and Rachel come on. I had forgotten that it would be Gregory hosting. He's boring and biased. Not a good combination.

[mesut]

yeah, I've watched Gregory's Race for the White House and wanted to throw some items at my t.v. for things he says. He has shown his bias. I will be watching CNN (not because I recieved the text msg) and then tune in to watch Keith and Rachel

[zeitgeist79]

What does it matter what network you watch on? Saying CNN is just a short hand for "watch it on cable" anyway. I usually flip around from network to network for the commentaries afterwards anyway. The actual debate will look the same no matter what channel you choose for the most part.

[Dave24]

CNN has less-annoying info boxes. Fox's are completely obnoxious and distracting, which is no surprise considering the network. The only show on Fox worth watching is Red Eye @ 3am. It really is hysterical.

[Steelrod]

Why watch it on msnbc when gregory is hosting it. I will watch it on Foc just to protest the ousting of Matthews and Olbermann.

[HateLieCheatKillRepubWay]

Yes, I am going to miss Chris and Keith, but I am boycotting MSNBC tonight as well.

[heyladee]

With Lehrer at the helm, I'm going with the home field tonight: PBS.

.. though I would hate to miss something awesome on CNN, like when Anderson Cooper told Donna Brazile he wanted to be her "boo". :)

[AlStarr]

I'll be watching on MSNBC, I can't stomach Gloria Borger.

[jayded]

traitors..­..MSNBC has had his back since the primaries when CNN had a panel of ex-Clinton advisers to offer "fair" analysis of the debates

[confusedintexas]

MSNBC didn't --- Olbermann on MSNBC did, everyone else has been wishy washy. However, I will be watching C-SPAN, until it's over and then I will tune in to hear what Olbermann thought and compare.

[jingles32]

Had his back? Who? Rac ist Buchanan? He's still referring to him as the "community organizer.­" Gregory, who opines about how we don't really know who O is, after 2 years!? Brokaw? Scarborough? lol Chris at best vacillates, but with him it's usually about Barack's problem du jour, and musing endlessly as to why can't he connect with REAL Americans, Pennsylvanians. Olbermann and Rachel are his only die hard supporters. Overall CNN is much fairer to O than MSNBC ever was.

[FreedomThinker8]

MSNBC indeed

[1PALady]

I planned to watch CNN anyways or C-Span as I for one will not be watching David Gregory.

[HateLieCheatKillRepubWay]

Same here!