Barack Obama surprised and shocked the world today by announcing that Steve Gillmor, host of the NewsGang Live and the Gillmor Gang podcasts, and blogger on TechCrunchIT was his pick for his Vice Presidential nomineet.
According to Obama, “I’ve been listening to Steve’s podcasts and following both the Gillmor Gang and NewsGang Live for some time now. As it turns out, Steve and I think very much alike. He’s tireless and unrepentant when he locks on to an issue that he believes strongly in, and that’s just the kind of determination we need on the campaign trail, and even more so after we win the election in November, given the number of challenges ahead of us..”
Gillmor expressed shock and mild anger when informed of the announcement, stating, “Once again, track was down, and I was unable to follow anything or anyone today, on Twitter or Identi.ca, so I was late getting the news. Of course, I’m surprised.”
When word began to leak out that Gillmor was Obama’s choice, NewsGang Live podcast regulars began gathering on Twitter and Identi.ca in anticipation for that day’s show. Several made comments:
Michael Markham noted that this was obviously why Steve had not appeared on the show recently. “Like all of those thought to be in consideration, Steve was keeping a low profile in the run-up to the announcement.”
Francine Hardaway, laughed as she noted, “this will sure keep Steve out of trouble, as for the rest of us, I’m not so sure. I’d like to see him call this Clinton or McCain spin.”
Cliff Gerrish noted, “I’m not sure how this will affect the US markets when they open tomorrow.”
Karoli Kunis, filling in as guest host, said, “I’m stunned. I think we all are. I would have never imagined this as a possibility. To think that throughout the entire primary season, and now the summer run-up to the convention, none of us had a clue that Obama was paying attention to what we, or more importantly, Steve was saying on the podcast.”
Rob La Gesse, after a brisk harrumph, said, “That’s it. I’m outta here, and I’m voting for McCain.”
After Obama’s surprise announcement caused an immediate sensation, Gillmor, himself created an even larger aftershock when he declined to run as the Democratic nominee for vice president, stating: “With all due respect, Obama must not have been listening too closely to what I’ve been saying. I remain steadfast in my belief that Hillary Clinton is Obama’s best chance to win the election in November, so I respectfully decline the nomination, and urge Senator Obama to do what he knows is right and choose Senator Clinton as his running mate. You can’t get there from here.”
