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

[oneblackvote]

It makes no difference, I watch MSNBC, anyway. I don't watch CNN anymore, because they tell lies, too. They also repeat lies. MSNBC always tell the truth about all news stories, even if they hurt sometimes.

[CostaDelBarto]

No media outlet always tells the truth... at best they tell you one side of a story with ten sides. You really have to dig around, read a lot of different things, watch a lot of different reports and expose yourself to ideas you cannot stand... then you begin to get informed.

Otherwise you're just sucking down truth from one tap and really, that's not a good way to get your "information".

[GotRights]

"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.""

Maybe they should have asked John McCain to show them how to use their Blackberry.

[heyjoe]

I watched it on MSNBC because I love Rachel and Keith. But, I turned to CNN after the debate because that UGLY dummy came on. You know the one, Gregory--YUCK! Between he and Chris, I just can't stomach the station. The ONLY time I watch is when Keith and Rachel are on.

[TuesdayMorning]

I really don't think that was from the campaign, I think someone edited that because I received two and neither said anything about CNN.

[cyndeewi]

I did not receive the text from the Obama campaign about CNN. What are you writing?

[LemonMeringue]

CNN had those interesting graphs showing reactions during the debate. Isn't it obvious the Obama campaign thought that was the highest-information outlet?

[longislandlol]

The CNN people are class acts-- my God-- Cooper--and Company all classy- the best is Gergen-- the worst tonight of all Cable networks was Matthews the Elitist--

[DamageControl]

he was so bad tonight, i have no idea what the hell his problem is half the time. I'm also interested to see how bad the rating were now that david gregory is the headline for the debate coverage.

[lucite]

I hated how McCain looked up at the audience with his condesending laugh while Obama was speaking. He is such a creep it reminded me of Bush. At less Obama is a gentlemen, that's something he can be proud of.

[longislandlol]

I come from a long line of family who always taught each generation to look a person in the eyes when you speak--if you don't- we were taught- then you're hiding something

[CostaDelBarto]

Well said.

McCain just looked shifty and awkward.

[sjmaureen]

Mine say's to watch on any of thew major T.V. stations or on cable- no specific mention of CNN

[kellygrrrl]

same here

[InofTouch]

I think texting CNN is cheaper???

[margardner]

Obama commanded the stage!

[allonfla]

I see why they said CNN, it appears that CNN had some kind of gauge at the bottom of their screen that showed audience reaction. No mistake there folks, O camp knew what they were doing - tsk, tsk, all you doubters out there - AGAIN!

[Melissa]

This confirms that CNN is in the tank for Obama. Everyone already knows this, that is the reason their ratings are way down.

[kellygrrrl]

oh, brother

[twiggy2]

didn't cnn run the rev wright soundbite just as much as all the other networks? cnn is a better choice of unbiased news than some others -
there is actually no point to this accusation. the writer would do better covering somenote worthy story - like sarah palin and husband violating court orders -or mccain campaign interferring in investigation- or how about rick davis/lobbyist/mccain/campaign manager now those are serious stories!

[cyndeewi]

Allonfla you really should be crying right now instead of writing snide comments. If Obama had a VP like Palin, I know that I would be.

[Veratruth]

Thanks ... I admit I am in the dark. Of course, I haven't given my cell number online. I received an email when Obama announced his VP. BTW: CNN was blacked out on my TV during the debates. Odd.

[steve-annie]

I never got a text mentioning CNN, just the one referring to "any major network."

[jemiltd]

McCain condescending, rambling and self-absorbed. Obama resonated with me and was clear.

[DrThink]

That was dumb. Whoever's responsible for that text needs to be assigned to some other duty. CNN??? Are they crazy?
If they really wanted "something short", they might as well have said "FOX". Hey, they're both 3-lettered acronyms!

PBS or CSPAN could've been more logical options. They're both public TV , somewhat. Much less biased for sure.

[MrsPeel]

Ger over the CNN thing. I received only one text message, and it read, "...on any of the major networks or cable."