RCR Wireless News is reporting that Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama has unveiled a text messaging initiative

Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama’s campaign said it launched a new text messaging initiative to expand its grassroots network and organize volunteers for events.
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The campaign of the Illinois senator directs supporters to send “GO” to OBAMA (62262) to sign up for messages. The Obama campaign said it will not charge for the wireless service.

For Obama, who already has a significant online presence--the infamous YouTube video (unofficial of course), a popular Facebook group,  and extensive social networking tools--the decision to add text messaging to his campaign arsenal was a no-brainer:

“With millions of Americans relying on cellphones, this new service will enable the campaign to not only communicate news about events and campaign developments, but it will also allow users to request information from the campaign,” stated an Obama campaign press release. “The campaign will use text to inform supporters about important public appearance and ask for opinions and advice.”

Obama is not the first candidate to embrace text messaging--see our previous coverage of Hillary Clinton's text messaging efforts.

(via Textually)

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