Thread: Warcraft march won't win votes, analysts say

Warcraft march won't win votes, analysts say
Local political researchers are skeptical that the virtual rally will add much to the candidate's end results.
By SONYA SMITH
The Orange County Register


Rallying the World of Warcraft troops for Ron Paul may be an innovative form of campaigning, but local experts say it is unlikely to directly affect the upcoming primary elections.

So too seems the effect on Blizzard Entertainment– as a look at blogs linking to our original storysaw no one commenting about buying the company's game because of the rally. Still, both the game and Ron Paul are gaining media exposure on several blogs covering politics and World of Warcraft.

"I commend them for their activism, but I think it has no net effect on voters," said Adam Probolsky in reference to the Ron Paul rally organizers. Probolsky, an Irvine Republican political pollster, was not familiar with World of Warcraft.

Probolsky said the Internet has proved to be very powerful for organizing supporters, finding volunteers and raising contributions for candidates, but the way to win is through TV and media.

"When it comes to direct voter contact, the Internet really hasn't developed itself yet," Probolsky said. As younger voters get more of their information online, Probolsky thinks Internet campaigning may become more important.

Comments on TheLiberalOC.comgenerally agreed that the effort will have little impact on Paul's campaign. People commenting on that blog joked that Ron Paul will not be taken seriously as a candidate until he shows up in the video game Guitar Hero III or on the social networking site Facebook.com.

Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a USC political analyst who also had not heard of Warcraft, agreed that social networking sites and venues like World of Warcraft rallies are not likely to garner many votes. She said the rally will likely only bring the name "Ron Paul" to the minds of young people, who she said are not likely to vote in elections. Instead, she said the stunt aims for media attention.

"I think the main reason for the rally is to have the media focus on it, and then have some voters in the United States talking about Ron Paul," she said.

Jeffe also agreed with Probolsky's comments that social networking on the web makes up some part of all national campaigns. She said that the Internet has some effect on gaining or changing votes, but the web's impact has yet to be measured.

Contact the writer:
sosmith@ocregister.com



http://www.ocregister.com


This ALIPAC member has posted this entity be it editorial opinion, news article, column, or web creation as information for the General Population (public) only. It is not intended as an endorsement for this candidate by this poster. Its use here has not been anticipated to be used as, or used to discredit any candidate mentioned herewith.

I know how it distresses Paul fans when anything is posted about his RECORD, but don't you think it needs to be shown?

Paul has some questionable votes in this area (3 times voted for amnesty for visa over stayers, etc), but let's look at just a couple of recent ones and you decide WHY he would vote against these measures.

H.Res. 800- a resolution stating that that States should not issue driver's licenses or other government-issued photo identification to aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States. Paul voted NO http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/ROLL_100.asp

H.R. 4160- legislation withholding highway funds from those states which issue a driver's license or identification card to illegal aliens. http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h4160/show Paul did not co sponsor- no final vote yet.

Try reading the legislation!!!!

Originally Posted by AuntB

I know how it distresses Paul fans when anything is posted about his RECORD, but don't you think it needs to be shown?

Paul has some questionable votes in this area (3 times voted for amnesty for visa over stayers, etc), but let's look at just a couple of recent ones and you decide WHY he would vote against these measures.

H.Res. 800- a resolution stating that that States should not issue driver's licenses or other government-issued photo identification to aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States. Paul voted NO http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/ROLL_100.asp

H.R. 4160- legislation withholding highway funds from those states which issue a driver's license or identification card to illegal aliens. http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h4160/show Paul did not co sponsor- no final vote yet.

Granted there was some pork tied to some of his no votes on important issue, but allot have just one issue in which he voted no. In 30 years is of no votes that the rest of the party voted in to law with yes, yes votes sometimes mean a lot when you represent the United States and its Family.

Originally Posted by AuntB

I know how it distresses Paul fans when anything is posted about his RECORD, but don't you think it needs to be shown?

Paul has some questionable votes in this area (3 times voted for amnesty for visa over stayers, etc), but let's look at just a couple of recent ones and you decide WHY he would vote against these measures.

H.Res. 800- a resolution stating that that States should not issue driver's licenses or other government-issued photo identification to aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States. Paul voted NO http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/ROLL_100.asp

H.R. 4160- legislation withholding highway funds from those states which issue a driver's license or identification card to illegal aliens. http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h4160/show Paul did not co sponsor- no final vote yet.

The third thread so far with the same discredited post. Isn't this getting close to the definition of 'spam'?

Could it be possible for a current and available moderator or administrator to please verify these Ron Paul Votes. I know its already been proven. But there are those members with some doubts I will check over them as well
But I dont want any one to say Im being bias or a plant for a nother party.

correct me if Im wrong

He was a na on the Veterans' Pension Improvement Act of 2007 (Introduced in House) with that H.Res. 800



H.R. 4160- Rep Tancredo, Thomas G. [CO-6] - 11/13/2007 interesting very interesting

Originally Posted by CitizenJustice

Try reading the legislation!!!!

CitizenJustice
Have you read these ???

Minds of Young People?

As I read this article, I was confronted by how little these people even know about virtual communities and Warcraft.

Most of the people I know that are putting in a lot of time at Warcraft are in their 30's !

Young people my butt!

I think it is pretty cool that Ron Paul's innovative supporters are manifesting in Warcraft.

W

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-x-XXtwpgk

Ill try it any body got the game and want to trade for one I have !!!