February 8, 2008
Clinton? Obama? McCain? Huckabee? Ron Paul?Differentiating between the major presidential candidates - especially when it comes to video game issues - can be confusing.
For that reason, Hal Halpin, president of the Entertainment Consumers Association, is often asked which candidate the gamer-centric organization endorses for the 2008 presidential race.
While it's a given that the ECA is watching out for you, the video game consumer, the organization can't - by law - make a recommendation.
As reported by The Escapist, Hal addressed the issue recently with members of the ECA's Facebook group:
The ECA is a 501(c)(4) non-profit membership org - an IRS designation that classifies the type of entity that we are and business that we do. It's significant because that same classification prohibits us from backing any one party or politician.
The rules have been further tightened recently, restricting us from promoting anyone (again, relevant because of our publications: GamePolitics, GameCulture, ECA Today, etc. which cover them when newsworthy).
But I don't know that I would want us to [endorse a candidate] even if we could. The ECA represents ALL gamers, each with their own ethics, morals and perspectives. So apart from educating members about a candidate's position as it relates to gaming, I'm not sure that it would be our place.
Full Disclosure Dept: GamePolitics is owned by the ECA.
Comments
"The only thing they need to do is inform their members on how to vote ... snip ... if a voter needs someone to tell them who to vote for, they really shouldn’t be voting in the first place."
I'm confused... am I reading that wrong or are you saying that the ECA should tell gamers how to vote? But then they shouldn't vote cause they were just told who to vote for?
Maybe my coffee just hasn't kicked in yet?! :S
We all know political parties do more harm than help.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
ALL OF YOU YANKS OUT THERE VOTE OBAMA! HE IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR STANDING UP FOR OUR RIGHTS!
you're welcome, you don't need to thank me.
j/k Obama rocks, he doesn't need another website endorsing his awesomeness
I also think that if a voter needs someone to tell them who to vote for, they really shouldn't be voting in the first place. Voting is supposed to be an informed decision, not a lemming one.
That is all.
I was not trying to make it sound like the ECA should tell us in any way who to vote for, as I actually stated.
I am just tired of people who vote for someone because they were told to by someone else. If they can't take the time to understand each candidate and make a decision on the information they can find, then why vote at all?
After the Iowa caucus, NPR was interviewing people after ward and asking people who they voted for and why. One young lady said she voted for Hillary, because she took a "quiz/poll" online that said she matched Hillary best. That is one of the stupidest reasons to vote for someone.
Personally, I would never vote for someone just because someone else told me too, let alone an online tool.
I took one of those poll things online and it said I was most inline with Ron Paul. I would never vote for that guy if my life depended on it.
Anyway (though I can't vote for reasons some might find by reading my above sentence) I think Obama may be the most gamer friendly. At least I haven't heard him making any "games are destroying our youth" statements.
Correct me if I'm wrong though.
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Papa Midnight
Of course to maintain the status of 501c3, GP can obviously not confirm this, but if they're democrats, you know they're thinking it.
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Papa Midnight
Although if the ECA endorsed a candidate it could start to change the perception that gamers are all kids since kids cant vote.
GP should start a poll and see who is most favored amongst the community at large then report on the results.
At least Romney is out. Now if only Hitlery would stop thrashing about in the throes of losing, and drop out, all would be right with the world.
Who needs leaders when you have INSANITY!?
I dont agree with the Democrats about everything (maybe even less than republicans, Im more libertarian), but the kind of judges they nominate would be much better for free speech for video games. And a video game case is going to come sooner or later.
Theres lower federal courts too that the next Pres will nominate. We need \'liberals\' there as well.