DENVER (CNN) – Barack Obama planned to name Joe Biden as his running mate by text message at 8 a.m. ET Saturday morning, but was forced to move up the announcement when CNN broke the story after midnight, a senior Obama official said.
At 12:42 a.m. ET, CNN reported that Obama had picked Biden to join him on the ticket. Several other news organizations confirmed the CNN report shortly afterwards.
“Had a certain network not blown our cover at a certain time the text message would have gone out in the morning, 8 a.m. Eastern,” Robert Gibbs, a senior advisor, said with a grin on Sunday. “We told people they would find out from us. When we decided it was going to get out we decided to send the text out.”
Gibbs said he believes despite the fact that the rollout plan had to be altered, a “vast majority of the people” still learned by text message when they woke up in the morning.
Some Republicans and others suggested that Obama’s 3 a.m. ET email had been intended as a deliberate swipe at Hillary Clinton, who ran a primary season ad that referenced that hour of the morning to make the case she was more qualified to handle a breaking crisis.
From CNN Politics
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Good job, CNN! That's why you are the most watched news channel. As for Obama, what a joke! The more I have read (on CNN, of course) these past few days about how awful he has treated Hillary, the more I think I will vote for McCain, so we can have Hillary in the White House in 2012.
Nice Job CNN, i'm sure you had millions of viewers on at 1am on saturday night just waiting to hear who the VP pick was. You guys are just awesome!
Republicans and Clinton cry babies will blame this on obama in 3….2…1…and go!
I am glad that CNN contols Obama. Someone should.
Big Deal!
1) Obama was not ready at 12:42 a.m. to deal with a minor issue, you think he will be ready when something major pops up??
2) Obama is already trying to censor the media. Surprised?? Obama is not even an American citizen, why would you be?
If Obama breathes, the Hillary followers take offense. Hillary began as shoo-in but ran a poor campaign; even insiders from the campaign admit it. She lost. Get over it!
At what point do we (meaning you in the media) statrt covering the despicable behaviors of the McCain campaign. Before he lauds himself any further, I think we need more information on his first marriage and the awful things he did in leaving his wife!
Smart and shady way to try and get Hillary-crats fired up. To say it was a swipe at her by sending out the text at 3am. Wow.....
OH my GOD. Someone messed up the childish game ahead of time that Obama and his staff were playing.
Everyone here is mad because CNN "scooped" Obama's big news.... Should Obama be allowed to decided what the media reports and when it gets published?? Now THAT is not the change I want for America. Keep up the good work CNN.
Oh and Obama probably didn't think much of it at the time about the timing of the text but obviously you are bigger whiners than anyone expected you to be. Keep whining and we'll make sure HRC never gets elected to anything again you sore losers.
I think obama .will have a hard time winning without clinton. I still can't make up my mind.
Oh and Obama probably didn't think much of it at the time about the timing of the text but obviously you are bigger whiners than anyone expected you to be. Keep whining and we'll make sure HRC never gets elected to anything again you sore losers.
POST MY MSGS ALREADY CNN
Who cares?
I supported Hillary but now support McCain. Not because of bitterness or revenge, but because Obama is not qualified to lead this country. And because I've learned the DNC is not to be trusted or respected.
It's as simple as that.
NOBAMA!
Who watches CNN at midnight anyway? I wonder if CNN will loose the sweet spot they have for the DNC Convention?
some of you who think this was planned as a swipe at Hilary probably think that there was no moon landing and that Elvis is alive. Come-on, are you seriously that stupid.
Oh and Obama probably didn't think much of it at the time about the timing of the text but obviously you are bigger whiners than anyone expected you to be. Keep whining and we'll make sure HRC never gets elected to anything again you sore losers.
And you are bragging about this CNN??
Make sure you give your beloved Mccain the same
lack of consideration.
People are gonna read into things what they want. If the Obama 3:00 am delivery of the text had nothing to do with the Hillary ad....you're not gonna make some folks believe that it didn't. How in the heck was everyone suppose to receive it at 3? What about the different time zones.
I'm just glad the announcement was made.
I kept my station tuned to you CNN 'cause I know however it went, I'd get the info from you all first.:)
Oh and Obama probably didn't think much of it at the time about the timing of the text but obviously you are bigger whiners than anyone expected you to be. Keep whining and we'll make sure HRC never gets elected to anything again you sore losers.
stop deleting my posts cnn
PLEASE TELL ME THE PLAN FOR HILLARY SUPPORTERS TO DO SO OBAMA DOESN'T WIN
There is no doubt she should have been picked by Obama for VP instead of the two-time Presidential loser Biden. I have never voted for a Republican ever, but will vote for McCain or will not vote at all.
Go Hillary 2012!
It was deliberate and everyone knows it. Stop trying to justify it and explain it away because it had a reverse effect....NEGATIVE! If it was being parised then they would be admitting it.....sad!
RJ from CA,
Where is your patriotism? To be patriotic means that you may disgree with others opnions but commit. You are not patriotic Democrats. You clained to be a Democrat supporting Hillary but as Hillary did not win, you then change to Republican and called it patriotic Democrat?. Your actions are more an act of a traitor. Look we are all educated and know what's going on. The fact remains that you Hillary supporter still cannot accept defeat. It is unfortunate. You leave in a civilized society but continued to harbor grudges and rancor. Give me a break! . You HC supporters and CNN need to get over your sentiments,
Obama-Biden will win come November and with or without HC supporters – Amen!!!
too many rethugs think that polls are right. wait till november and weep.
americans as a whole see the mismangement of the grand old pharts.
we are tired of what they have put us thru and we will vote them out of office just like in congress to local held offices.
pumas are"nt democrats or rethuglicans .Its what John Mcsame's mr grahmm calls them , WHINERS
Democrats 08