July 26, 2007 -
...he just might be. On Monday GamePolitics scooped the gaming press with news of a senator from Guam who plays World of Warcraft as Paleray, a maxed-out level 70 Dwarf priest.
The story got picked up everywhere, which is always nice. Even cooler, however, the man himself, Senator Ray Tenorio, dropped by GP to offer a few thoughts. We've verified that the IP attached to the comments comes from Guam.
Here's what the level 70 Senator had to say:
Hey everyone. Paleray here. I thought your comments were fun and I thought I’d reply to some of them.
Yeah, I have time to do my job AND play Wow, it’s cheaper and less time consuming than Golf and I think a lot more fun.
I don’t play more than [GP reader] Nate but I have to admit it can be a challenge to walk away sometimes. Some believe gaming is the problem when, I think, it’s really a matter of ‘everything in moderation,’ remembering and following your priorities, and the real cause of the problem: lack of either self-control or parental control.
True: “Government guys are just like everyone else.” And the more that is true of me the better I’ll be able to represent a great number of people of Guam.
I only WISH I got Xp by signing all the government documents while leveling to 70, oh well, and if you applied the gold in lieu of Xp, woot woot.
I agree with the sentiment “How can you not be a wow fan????” There’s no wonder on my part why there’s 9 Million players.
Finally, I’ll gladly receive your gold and you can call it a campaign contribution, mana from Heaven, or just a gift any day. Wouldn’t you?
Have fun all and thanks for your comments.
Tenorio also followed up with brief answers to a few questions from GP readers.
UPDATE: Tenorio dropped by Kotaku as well...
Comments
Re: Is WoW-playing Senator the Coolest Politician Ever...?
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What's your point? Most people here realise that even though 'Paleray' may not have the same political authority of a senator in a US federal state, it is still a step towards something gamers have known for a long time: anyone can be a gamer, and more and more people are embracing games rather than demonizing them.
Your posts seem to be trying to insult the man by calling him a "hamstrung politician" etc.
Um... just because he plays, doesn't mean he's an addict. I'm sure your experience isn't any indication, since what you are doing is like associated anyone who drinks alcohol with alcoholics. There are a lot more people who drink in moderation than there are alcoholics. The same goes for video games.
Less time consuming? o rly?
Seems like a really cool guy and I would have never, ever suspected a Senator would play something like this and actually appear (judging by armoury profile) to put a decent amount of time and effort into it.
I wish you luck, Senator!
Dude, I think I just had a politician from Guam ask me a question... COOL!
I'm just not a big MMORPG gamer. I'm more a FPS gamer - Counter Strike, Tribes & Tribes 2, Planetside... I also enjoy a good strategy game (currently loving Supreme Commander, looking forward to the next Blizzard masterpiece), and an offline RPG (Oblivion, Fallout series).
I think I just don't really care for MMORPGs beause I don't like doing the same dungeon runs over and over. It's the same reason I got tired of Planetside - same base designs, same sieges, over and over... even the varying defenses offered by the players defending the bases didn't keep it fresh forever. On the other hand, I completly understand the fun that can be had over Teamspeak/Ventrillo with a group of guys you know and like. I understand the sense of comradery and teamwork you must get when successfully completing a 40-man raid. Heck, I played a combat medic in Planetside, reviving and healing, repairing my comerades, then sending them back to the front, so I imagine our game experiences are little different in that regard, Mr. Senator. :)
In conclusion, WoW just isn't for me, but to each his own. Much respect for the lvl 70 healers, though, I hear they're awesome to have on the big raids.
All the best for Ray Tenorio's career as a flagship gaming politician. w00t!
Our generation is soon approaching that point when we take power and kick out the old coots.
Yes, he is not a normal politician and he cant vote on anything. But that does not make him any less of the coolest politician ever. He is an indication that in only 10 short years, we will have politicans that play games as the norm in congress. THe change is comming. That is all this means.
Up next....a senator from South Africa reveals that he has an active MySpace account and is NOT a pedophile!
I must admit, I stopped playing Eve a while ago, basically because I felt like the game was starting to polarise too much, I've been thinking about either WoW or LoTR online....
That would be awesome. *After finishing his killing streak on GoW, the President begins working on his speech on world peace.*
/cringe
Who knows, give it a few years and we might hear of LAN parties in the white house.
And I absolutely agree with him when he says "it’s really a matter of ‘everything in moderation,’ remembering and following your priorities, and the real cause of the problem: lack of either self-control or parental control."
Any senator that says "woot woot" and look like he means it gets my vote. A pity I don't live in Guam.
Paleray still plays a much bigger role on politics than probably any of us combined. I'd call him a politician.
I dont know what your problem is. Are you one of those people who hate their life and feels the need to make everyone else miserable? What makes you think we want to be a part of federal legislation. With all the "power" in D.C. they still can't get it right. You lost me on the intellectual argument Homie! Come for a visit I be glad to show you around Chamoru Style chelu.