Text messaging has become a likely alternative to traditional media releases. - Inspired by Barack Obama's upcoming VP announcement via text

Presdential hopeful, Barack Obama, has cut out the middleman -- the press -- and gone straight to the public with his campaign's latest announcement that his decision for VP will be delivered to people who have signed up for his text messaging program first.

The Associated Press reports: "Democratic presidential candidate 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." The candidate's announement also went out via Twitter, a 140-character microblogging service that is distributed through text, IM, and on the Web.

This move, "...also gives the Obama campaign one more way to differentiate itself
technologically from its Republican opponent; Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) doesn't have a text messaging program," according to The Washington Post.