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.