John McCain to David Letterman: I announce!
Edition number 27 in this Digital Markets Blog presidential campaign 2008 series on what I am calling “User Generated Politics”
John McCain today announced he will be announcing that he will be a candidate for President of the United States, and he chose the "Late Show with David Letterman" to formally make the informal pre-announcement.
McCain unveiled his intentions in an elaborately pre-planned "User Generated Politics" style multi-step scenario.
Before appearing on the Letterman show, McCain posted his Letterman announcement plans at his campaign Website, as part of his online campaign contribution form:
Tonight, I will be appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman on CBS. During this broadcast, I am going to announce that I will be a candidate for President of the United States. You have been one of my closest and most loyal supporters and I wanted you to know first. Please take a moment to fill out this form to make a generous donation to my campaign!
The McCain appearance on Letterman was pre-taped for a scheduled broadcast at 11:30pm eastern time.
Before the Letterman show aired, McCain posted a video clip of his pre-taped Letterman appearance at his campaign Website, along side his online contribution form.
This is the McCain-Letterman exchange:
Letterman: Are you running?
McCain: The last time we were on this program, you asked me if I would come back on this show if I was going to announce. I am announcing that I will be a candidate for President of the United States.
Letterman: Wow. What were the factors leading to this decision?
McCain: I wanted to be on this show...I will be making a formal announcement in April. You don't just have one rendition. This is the announcement preceeding the announcement.
Letterman: This is not the formal announcement. How do you think that makes me feel?
McCain: You were the first.
Paul Shaffer: He's doing the formal announcement on Leno.
McCain is no stranger to pre-announcements. He has already pre-announced his McCain Space Social Network! SEE John McCain announces McCain Space! Republican ‘User Generated Politics’
STAY TUNED TO THIS DIGITAL MARKETS BLOG FOR CONTINUING COVERAGE OF WHAT I AM CALLING “USER GENERATED POLITICS” 2008
More in this Digital Markets Special Series:
John Edwards NOT Social Networking for ‘User Generated Politics’
John McCain announces McCain Space! Republican ‘User Generated Politics’
Oprah Winfrey embraces Barack Obama: Can she drive votes?
Barack Obama million dollar star in Hollywood
Hillary Clinton trumps Barack Obama, on eBay!