News of Obama’s pick for vice president to arrive by text message

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama is close to choosing a running mate, and the first person to find out could be you.

In an e-mail to supporters, Obama’s campaign manager said voters can sign up to receive an e-mail or a text message “the moment” he makes his decision.

Those who sign up will also receive other periodic text message updates from the campaign, and will be charged standard messaging rates.

The e-mail asks supporters to pass the message to friends and family, another way for the campaign to collect information on potential voters and contributors.

Obama has run a technologically savvy campaign, using the Internet to build a network of 2 million volunteers and raise nearly $340 million, as of the end of June.

Monday’s announcement could be the first high-profile step in an otherwise guarded process. Both Obama and likely Republican nominee Sen. John McCain have been tight-lipped about whom they’re considering and how the process is going on.

Obama is vacationing in Hawaii with his family until Friday. He’ll return with just nine days to go before the Democratic convention, giving him a short window to announce his running mate.

The Republican convention begins Sept. 1.

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