February 2, 2008 4:19 PM PST

The MySpace generation's got a crush on Obama

(Credit: Caroline McCarthy/CNET News.com)

NEW YORK--Right before Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama addressed the MySpace-MTV "Closing Arguments" event via videoconference from Minneapolis, one of the young studio audience members whispered, "He's the whole reason why we're here."

And those of us inside the studio could hear enthusiastic cheers from outside in Times Square, where dozens of Obama supporters had gathered before the event.

Obama might not have the online cult following that Republican candidate Ron Paul does, but he has arguably amassed the most significant online following out of all the Democratic candidates; he was MySpace users' favorite candidate from the party, and let's not forget the "Obama Girl" online video sensation. (Okay, so that was unofficial.)

But as with Paul's "dialogue" earlier in the evening, technology policy was wholly absent from the conversation. Maybe it just isn't high-profile enough for the crowds tuning in via MySpace and MTV; Obama has become famous for a broad-based message of sweeping change. Geek policy might just seem too narrow in focus.

"The future is about more than just gender or race," Obama said when asked about the fact that the two Democratic front-runners are a woman and an African American, and then quipped, "If it were about race, I wouldn't have to...(campaign). I could just show up." The young audience, receptive to a bit of humor in an otherwise serious event (minus the red-and-blue lightning bolts on the walls) cheered and applauded.

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 10 comments
Where is Ron Paul?
by Herbi Rihiratu February 2, 2008 6:56 PM PST
You are covering the event of Super Dialogue in MTV/MySpace and
you did not included the result of the OnLine opinion coming from
the people who watched the debate. The result is by far Ron Paul's
idea captures the minds of young people compare to Obama,
Clinton and Huckabee. Why is your title biased? The title must be:
Ron Paul win the MTV/MySpace Debate.
Reply to this comment View all 3 replies
Link from crush to oral
by Torqued22 February 2, 2008 7:51 PM PST
If they have a crush for Obama Hussien, maybe they should just marry him.

We need somebody who can address the REAL issues. Not someone that is supported by people experiencing a frickin crush.

Duh.
Reply to this comment
Will the MySpace Generation Actually Vote?
by john55440 February 2, 2008 7:51 PM PST
Every election campaign season we hear about the "youth vote", but most of the time they don't actually show up at the polls.

I hope they do this time...
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Politics for Dummies
by mikestatic1 February 2, 2008 8:04 PM PST
That isn't saying much - you are talking about a group of people who can only comprehend in 30 second segments. Obama is great when it comes to sound bytes... examine him for more than the cursory 30 seconds, and you will find a man too inexperienced and naive to be leader of a town, let alone a country.

But hey, he's my MySpace friend, so he must be way cool!!
Reply to this comment
Caroline McCarthy: Favoritism
by hastinbe February 2, 2008 9:37 PM PST
In the future could you save us your favoritism when writing your articles? Out of all the MySpace/MTV stories it's quite clear you favor Obama.
Reply to this comment
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About The Social

CNET News' Caroline McCarthy is a downtown Manhattanite who believes that, despite popular opinion, the Web can actually help your social life. She's happily addicted to fun social-media tools from Twitter to Yelp to Facebook, sends an inordinate number of text messages, and has a tendency to waste time at the office reading restaurant blogs. Here, she explores all facets of the Web's gregarious side, as well as the unique tech culture in her home city of New York. (Don't call it Silicon Alley.)

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