Xbox Live 'Rock the Vote' poll results are in
by Randy Nelson 
{ Sep 22nd 2008 at 11:40PM }
Microsoft has provided a snapshot of the completely unofficial president election poll it's been running in conjunction with Rock the Vote. The idea was to offer Gamerpics representing Obama-Biden, McCain-Palin, Independent, and, er, "Other" (hopefully) sparking an interest in actual voting by offering the choice to select one as your public and/or private icon. MS says more than 100,000 Live users have participated to date.
Today's tally has Obama-Biden in a 12% lead over their Republican rivals, garnering 43% of the vote to McCain-Palin's 31%. Independents and "Others" combined account for the remaining (and sizable) 26% of "votes." Listen, "Others" – if you're undecided, you'd best at least register and cast your vote on November 4. We don't care who it's for; just vote, 'kay? Thanks!
[Image credit: Jeff the Trojan]
Today's tally has Obama-Biden in a 12% lead over their Republican rivals, garnering 43% of the vote to McCain-Palin's 31%. Independents and "Others" combined account for the remaining (and sizable) 26% of "votes." Listen, "Others" – if you're undecided, you'd best at least register and cast your vote on November 4. We don't care who it's for; just vote, 'kay? Thanks!
[Image credit: Jeff the Trojan]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
tmacairjordan87 @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:43PM
Obama's winning in a community full of racists and bigots? This has been one hell of a strange day for me.
&rew @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:49PM
They're not racist bigots, they're "hooting dickholes".
Immortal Technique PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:52PM
Makes sense. Most gamers are probably 20-30's of which I would assume Obama has a sizable lead. Hell, I am 26 and have been campaigning for and will vote for Barack Obama.
Realtors for Obama!
jsn @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:03AM
more like kids who think liberal and democrat apply to them because it sounds "more free" until they start working for actual money and learn that it means giving away more of what they work for, for the "good" of everyone else, ie, people who don't want to work as hard. Funny thing is most of those people vote in polls like this, but never leave the house on election day.
Dirty @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:22AM
I like to think that I work for the "good" of everyone. I find it interesting that the christian value of charity is so lost on a country full of christians.
Immortal Technique PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:27AM
JSN
What you just said might have some credence if the modern day Republicans weren't the ones calling for a $700 Billion dollar bail out of Wall Street and more Government oversight of the free market. This is in addition to the bailouts of Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac weeks ago.
It seems that the modern day Neo-Conservative movement wants to sacrifice the individual rights of the citizens for the greater good of the masses.
The same people who championed the rhetoric of less government have turned into the party of special interest. Looking out for the corporate fat cats but not the everyday folk who could use the help even more.
Not to mention this same group of people wants to dictate what we can do in our personal lives on a day to day basis. We already sacrificed civil liberties after 911 (patriot act) and with the current administration we have sacrificed our national treasure and a generation to a policy of preemptive war.
chispito @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:00AM
@Dirty-
It would seem that conservatives out give liberals when it comes to private donations. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1759256/posts
So, perhaps they want the government to be be less charitiable, but it's not as though they are care less.
Dirty @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:52AM
Funny how charitable contributions are tax deductions. Sometime whats more important is the motivation behind an action than the action itself.
Beatz @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:48AM
Chispito, providing something from Free Republic as fact is like taking Huffington Post as the gospel. It's just stupid.
I'm not arguing whether it's true or not, but you need a better, less biased source.
BananaBoat @ Sep 23rd 2008 3:24AM
There is a pretty simple equation for crap like this.
For Democrats: Take the net worth of the tax payer in question, and then add how much they made that year. If the amount is anywhere close to the person being rich, tax the shit balls out of them. Give everyone else a giant check for being poor. Tax the pants off of companies because they are rich, which means a budget surplus, and money for infrastructure improvements.
For Republicans: Take the net worth of the tax payer in question, and then add how much they made that year. If the amount is anywhere close to the person being rich, give them a giant check, because if they are rich, they must own a small business that can hire poor bastards. Give the poor bastards a much smaller check, because anything more is "welfare", and the rich people are going to hire them anyway. Give tax credits to corporations until they are rich, and can afford to hire the poor bastards. The surplus of money from all that productivity means there is plenty for infrastructure improvement.
Which system is better? You decide. Personally speaking? Why can't I just hit that thar lotto?!
(Oh, and the winner is the system that doesn't depend on the generosity of rich people. Not that you should vote JUST on economics.)
Slaziman @ Sep 23rd 2008 7:15AM
Poeple yell racist slurs on XBL because they can, not because they are really racist.
Snowblind @ Sep 23rd 2008 7:28AM
Why do people act like Xbox Live is the only bad community on the whole internet? Play any MMO, chat room or even most forums and you'll see equally bad, if not worse behaviour.
The only real difference with XBL is that everyone can easily use voice chat. Nintendo and Sony's community would be no better, if there was an easy way to communicate while playing the games.
Normal guy + Audiance + Annoyminity = total dickwad.
TheQuagster @ Sep 26th 2008 7:05AM
@Snowblind:
I agree with you completely. If every console came with a mic, I'm sure the last thing anybody expected when video games were first created was that televisions would start talking shit to you and your kids In 20 years.
mr nimblewick @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:45PM
Well, Obama has been the only candidate who has intelligent, sane opinions about video games, so he has my vote.
Lone Starr @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:10AM
You really need to do your research. Their opinions on video games are the same. Both look to parental involvement.
McCain:
http://www.gamepolitics.com/2008/06/13/john-mccain039s-video-game-platform-small-blogger-scores-scoop
Obama:
http://www.gamepolitics.com/2008/02/20/obama-campaign-theme-video-games-as-metaphor-for-underachievement
Albanian_Killa @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:10AM
Wow, I never knew people actually considered video games when they voted... You do know, things like the war, the economy, etc. are a little more important and should get the main concerns...?
DangerMouse @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:29AM
Video games, and their favorite flavor of Doritos will be the deciding factors when I step into the booth come this November.
LuckyEMS @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:12AM
Obama's seems more like "get your kids of the couch" then actual opinion on Video Games
and yes some people do consider Video Games in their opinion
i mean we dont want someone who is influenced by Jack Thompson in the house of white now
Mrblonde @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:18AM
I found it interesting that it said the McCain had a weird segueway into child porn. Kinda irrelevant to the topic.
mr nimblewick @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:19AM
Sorry, this is a video game blog, so that's what I mentioned. I'm also favor of his not-insane views on the economy, war, having good relations with Spain, healthcare, etc.
And I hate the pander-ific Palin.
Ordeith @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:06AM
As far as video games go (and music, and TV, and internet, and Government spying, etc) Biden is really the one you need to watch out for.
and since he is Obama's running mate it is enough to lose my vote.
Haggard (Mr.ESC resurrection force) @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:40AM
But Biden only tried to enforce copyright..
You're aware Sarah Palin tried to get books with mature content banned from her local library?
Books. Now imagine what she'll try to do to video games next time there's a school shooting. I know there's no connection, but conservatives don't think like that. They don't think about anything.
Duke @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:21AM
Hagard, that isn't what she tried doing. Use a news source other than the inquirer or whatever rag you use. She, and others, have stated that she asked the librarian about what that woman would do if she was told a book was not allowed in the library. The idea was whether she would listen to the city leaders. It had nothing to do with actually banning any book.
Besides, the list that she supposedly would be banning had a bunch of books that were not even released yet. The list was called "Books banned at one time or another in the United States." and was from the Florida Institute of Technology web page. This was already figured out a while back as a false list and a smear job.
Hence this not being an issue covered by the politicians on either side now.
&rew @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:47PM
Lousy democrats.
Immortal Technique PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:51PM
Trojan Guy has to be loving the use of his picture again. With a comic book bubble this time!
TrojanGuy @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:44AM
Look, ma, I'm famous!
UESC @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:57PM
I know that guy in the picture, he posts at altgn.com
Lone @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:00AM
Yeah his wife is smokin'
TrojanGuy @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:45AM
Yurp!
DangerMouse @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:54PM
This should be fun.
Brett from Atlanta @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:01AM
Hey Randy, I come here to read about videogames, not to get wrapped up in the huge flamewar that is politics. Seriously quit posting shit like this. If you're gonna do stupid bullshit posts to make a quick buck, then make one about a mario cake or something like that, but I'm sick and tired of you posting about politics. I'll go to a politics blog if I wanna read that stuff.
/rant
Dirty @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:20AM
I for one, find this stuff interesting. I find the comments left by ignorant people afterward even more interesting.
In A World (XBL) @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:41AM
Did you miss the part about this being on **Xbox Live**?
guttertalk @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:27AM
What political posts are you talking about, Brett?
Plus, this post wasn't loaded with political opinions, just reporting the results of a political feature on Xbox Live. Or does encouraging folks to vote really bother you that much?
&rew @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:06AM
Hang on, Republicans got 31%, isn't that the approval rating like 10% for them. Also, other 26%, why do hippies have 360s (I know they could be just undecided).
zuburi @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:28AM
I suggest you vote for whichever candidate promises radical educational reform!
&rew @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:32AM
Instead of accepting that wicked burn with dignity and grace, I got this to say:
Hah! I'm Canadian, perhaps you should vote for whichever canidate promises radical... foresight of... Canadians.
BananaBoat @ Sep 23rd 2008 3:31AM
What's the point of voting in Canada? The Canadian government dissolves every other week, so you have to vote again, it's madness. MADNESS!!!
Atleast the maple syrup is good though
ColossalHat @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:07AM
"We don't care who it's for; just vote, 'kay?"
Not that it matters in the US anyway due to the electoral college. I hate the illusion that the popular vote matters.
In A World (XBL) @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:51AM
Depends what state you live in. If you're a Democrat in Texas or a Republican in California, then yes: your vote doesn't really count, but for those living in Swing States like New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Virginia, Ohio, and Florida... in those places the popular vote is very important!
xGeneral DEATHx @ Sep 23rd 2008 8:00AM
The Electoral College...such a waste...it's basically the government patting you on the head and saying "That's a GOOD voter...now go back to your room and the adults will make the decision for you".
Don't get me wrong, The majority of the nation's population probably doesn't deserve to breathe oxygen, much less vote...but the popular vote should STILL be what REALLY counts.
/rant/
Haggard (Mr.ESC resurrection force) @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:12AM
Well, look at the appointment of Palin.
All the women of the country were really behind Hillary and the democrats, but now she's not the candidate.. they're all going to vote for the complete opposite side because they have a woman vice president.
This suggests most voters actually don't give a crap about the issues at stake? Oddly a line from a Bon Jovi song is appropriate: "It's all the same, only the names will change"
P. femm @ Sep 23rd 2008 3:28PM
Haggard.
I am a 27 year old voting female.
Sarah Palin sickens me.
Palin being picked as a VP is absurd. that THIS woman could possibly become next in line for our presidency... to be a heartbeat away from becoming our FIRST female president is absolutely and without a doubt despicable.
If only more people would read and actually think about the consequences of that decision.
I, for one, cannot wait until November… to cast my vote (however inconsequential as I live in Oklahoma) and for this standing-on-the-edge-of-a-cliff feeling to be somewhat relieved.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/160080/page/1
PSN & GAMERTAG: jorojoserojas - Wii FC: 0749-8609-3752-6926 @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:10AM
Well, Randy, I'm glad you post this and other things like this. It's nice to know that someone out there is at least TRYING to encourage people to speak up and declare themselves.
I'm with you, man. I don't care who people vote for, as long as they do, and know WHY they do.
Keep up the good work!
Nightvortez @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:10AM
Obama popular with the younger demographic? Well color me surprised, is there any point to this poll besides trying to promote the shitty agenda of 'Rock the Vote'?
Farseer (GDI) @ Sep 23rd 2008 10:54AM
So, encouraging all citizens to vote is a shitty agenda...
heypaul @ Sep 23rd 2008 11:09AM
What's the shitty agenda of Rock the Vote? To get young people to vote? How shitty!
MaxPower @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:17AM
No, don't "just vote". Read up on the candidates and their stances on issues (taking what one candidate says about the other at face value doesn't count), watch the debates, check the facts, and form your own opinion. If you can't come up with a reason as to why you're voting for someone other than democrats/republicans rock/suck then do us all a favor and don't vote. Remember that there are alot of state and local positions up for election as well; don't just vote the party line do some reading.
Jouten @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:19AM
Let's see...Trickle down economics or tax & spend?
I think working people will understandably vote for McCain while those who don't will vote for Obama in hopes of receiving their checks from the re-distribution of wealth...Hey...Isn't that Socialism? That type of government that failed in all them other countries around the world? Hey....What's going on here....?
Dirty @ Sep 23rd 2008 12:24AM
Socialism is doing just fine in almost all of western europe. Go look at the exchange rate and call the euro as being part of a failing economy.
Anyway, Ill go back to my fart jokes.