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Politics

by Mike Masnick

Thu, Nov 8th 2012 10:57am




Filed Under:
colleen lachowicz, elections, maine, politics, world of warcraft


Apparently Attacking A Candidate For Being A World Of Warcraft Player Is Not An Effective Campaign Strategy

from the vanquished dept

Last month, we were among those who reported on an absolutely bizarre strategy by a candidate for the Maine state Senate to demonize his opponent, Colleen Lachowicz, by highlighting her enjoyment of World of Warcraft and then taking some of her statements about the game completely out of context, to imply they were political statements that had relevance beyond inside the game. Even after this was widely mocked, the folks behind the mailer defended it.
In the end, it appears that this was not an effective campaign strategy. As highlighted by Slashdot, Lachowicz won her campaign and was elected. The article notes that the attention from the bizarre attacks resulted in support from "gamers from around the world," who helped raise an additional $6,300 in contributions for her campaign. Not knowing when to back down and go away, her opponents claimed that the money raised was done so illegally, though an ethics board cleared her of any wrongdoing.

Perhaps, next time, politicians will recognize that mocking a candidate for doing something millions of people enjoy is not a particularly smart campaign strategy.

41 Comments | Leave a Comment

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  1.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:02am

    she kinda looks like her orc assassin

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:04am

    Re:

    thats called "quality cosplay".

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:05am

    You would think if you were going to attack someone for playing a game, you might do some research to see how many potential voters you might turn away.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:06am

    Re: Re:

    LOL

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  
    icon
    Philip (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:16am

    Re:

    People that attack on these grounds live in their own reality where games are for kids. They can't fathom "adults" playing video games.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  6.  
    icon
    :Lobo Santo (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:22am

    Re: Re: Results Cloudy

    The same group of people for whom "online" isn't really real, or it's only something they see in movies.

    Despite using it, experiencing the utility, there's a disconnect between "online" and "reality" in their brains. Fairly common with many people (IMHO).

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  7.  
    identicon
    Lord Binky, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:23am

    NEEEEERRD!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  8.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:26am

    Re: Re:

    Apparently attempted character assassination is a poor means of trying to get elected? Who'd have thunk it.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  9.  
    identicon
    Michael, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:35am

    Probably not

    "Perhaps, next time, politicians will recognize that mocking a candidate for doing something millions of people enjoy is not a particularly smart campaign strategy."

    That would suggest politicians learn from their mistakes.

    Crazy talk.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  10.  
    icon
    Matthew H (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:37am

    FOR THE HORDE!!!!!

    Lulz

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  11.  
    icon
    gorehound (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:39am

    She lives in Maine where I live and she beat out the Republicans.We managed to get rid of some GOP and gain back the Democratic Majority.
    Looking forward to getting rid of hated Paul LePage !!!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  12.  
    icon
    PlagueSD (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:44am

    I like the quote, "But my DPS(Deaths per second) increased quite a bit."

    I'm sorry, DPS = DAMAGE per second, not Deaths per second.


    and yes...Fantasy <> Reality.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  13.  
    icon
    Dave (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:49am

    So basically...

    ...her opponent was Leeroy Jenkins. Yes?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  14.  
    icon
    Jolie M (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 11:54am

    I hope Blizzard can sue the shit out of the campaign that used images from WoW in the advertising campaign. I'm not a lawyer, but I'm hoping this was some sort of copyright violation.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  15.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 12:04pm

    Re:

    "I hope Blizzard can sue the shit out of the campaign that used images from WoW in the advertising campaign. I'm not a lawyer, but I'm hoping this was some sort of copyright violation."
    Even if it is copyright violation, it's preferable that Blizzard doesn't sue. She already won, that's punishment enough.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  16.  
    icon
    Mesonoxian Eve (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 12:14pm

    She got chicken.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  17.  
    icon
    DH's Love Child (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 12:15pm

    Re: Probably not

    My thoughts exactly.. He's giving politicians far too much credit.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  18.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 12:17pm

    With friends like these, who needs Leeroy Jenkins...

    This article notes the fact that this hit piece originated from the party, not the candidate

    To Senator Martin’s credit, he refused to touch the low personal attacks and wished to remain strictly on the issues. By sticking on the high road, this enough should have saved him...

    Note the "Paid for by the Maine Republican Party, not authorized by any candidate or committee" in the return address in the above mail.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  19.  
    icon
    jupiterkansas (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 12:18pm

    Slowly but surely, the nerds will inherit the earth.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  20.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 12:26pm

    Re:

    Everyone keeps pointing that out, but I'm pretty sure she was being facetious, especially if she's savvy enough to grok min-maxing sites like EJ and (most likely) tweak her build (since she definitely made those posts before the current "talent" system).

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  21.  
    icon
    Baldaur Regis (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 12:29pm

    Re:

    That's "Senator Nerd". Or "The Honorable Senator from Azeroth".

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  22.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 12:31pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    However, if she had a really crappy build for her character, then yes of course, she should be soundly criticized...

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  23.  
    icon
    jd2112 (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 12:35pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    Perhaps trying to assassinate the character of a orc assassin isn't a good idea.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  24.  
    icon
    The eejit (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 12:36pm

    Re:

    No, she keeps getting Blues. What she needs is more welfare epics.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  25.  
    icon
    byte^me (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 12:37pm

    Re:

    I keep saying that the bible got it wrong. It should be "and the GEEK shall inherit the earth."

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  26.  
    icon
    Toot Rue (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 12:38pm

    Re:

    The virtual earth at least - Who wants the real one anyway?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  27.  
    icon
    Simple Mind (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 1:01pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re:

    Unless you are in possession of the Sword of a Thousand Truths.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  28.  
    icon
    That One Guy (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 1:02pm

    Re: Re:

    I believe the 'Deaths per second' bit was actually added by the people who put together the thing, due to either a) trying to make it sound all the more violent in an attempt to make her look worse, or b) becuase they actually were clueless enough to have no idea what the term meant, and just went with what they thought it meant.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  29.  
    identicon
    joecrouse, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 1:03pm

    I would have loved for her to say

    FOR THE HORDE! in her Victory Speech

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  30.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 1:28pm

    Re: So basically...

    At least she got chicken....

    (and the election)

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  31.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 1:31pm

    Odds of success

    If her opponent had done a number crunch, he would have realized the character assassination tactic had only a 33.33 (repeating, of course) percentage of success.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  32.  
    identicon
    Magebear, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 1:43pm

    Gamers Unite

    For the HORDE!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  33.  
    identicon
    DOlz, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 2:05pm

    Plays WoW, no problem. A rogue, no problem. An assassin, no problem. Horde, I don't know I've been killed too many times.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  34.  
    icon
    John Fenderson (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 2:12pm

    Re: With friends like these, who needs Leeroy Jenkins...

    Personally, I don't care if a candidate officially endorses an ad or not. If it's on their behalf, I'm holding them responsible. To do it any other way gives them a loophole they can (and do) drive trucks through.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  35.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 2:21pm

    Re:

    If you think this a a lawsuit-worthy copyright violation, you're part of the problem. Quit being a part of the fucking problem.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  36.  
    icon
    DannyB (profile), Nov 8th, 2012 @ 2:27pm

    Effective Campaign Strategy

    Attacking a candidate for playing World of Warcraft *is* an effective campaign tragedy.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  37.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 3:03pm

    Re: Re: With friends like these, who needs Leeroy Jenkins...

    I agree. And judging from results, I'd say the voters of this Maine state district also agrees in this specific case.

    This candidate wasn't Leeroy Jenkins. He just had the misfortune of having Leeroy Jenkins in his party...


    Actually, I was wondering if this mailer had originated from one of those "independent-expenditure only committees" that are not allowed to coordinate with the candidate or party -- you know, a Super-PAC...

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  38.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 5:20pm

    There is a broken URL in the OP.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  39.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Nov 8th, 2012 @ 8:57pm

    "Perhaps, next time, politicians will recognize that mocking a candidate for doing something millions of people enjoy is not a particularly smart campaign strategy."

    I don't know... how many times have politicians resigned for things like sex scandals?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  40.  
    icon
    That Anonymous Coward (profile), Nov 9th, 2012 @ 12:11am

    The party of "legitimate rape" calling their world real...
    ITS LIKE RAIN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY!!! lalalala

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  41.  
    identicon
    Adam Henderson, Nov 9th, 2012 @ 1:32am

    Irrelevant to the article

    you guys put a blank tag around most of the article

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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