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Maine GOP Apparently Believes That Playing World Of Warcraft Makes You Unfit For Office

Politics

from the youth-vote? dept

Fri, Oct 5th 2012 5:22am — Mike Masnick
The Republican Party often has trouble attracting younger voters. Perhaps they should try not attacking one of the most popular pastimes for those voters. According to an entertaining report at Ars Technica, the Maine Republican Party has gone after a Democratic candidate for State Senate, Colleen Lachowicz, by attacking the fact that she played World of Warcraft, pulling a bunch of forum quotes she made a few years ago, and taking them out of context -- such as her statement that "I love poisoning and stabbing. It is fun."
Tim Lee's writeup at Ars hits on exactly the right response:
Lachowicz uses salty language in some of the comments, but someone needs to sit the Maine GOP down and explain the difference between fantasy and reality. Every day, millions of people engage in simulated video game violence without committing any real-world violence. By suggesting a World of Warcraft hobby should disqualify someone for office—and implying that voters are too dumb to tell the difference between virtual and real violence—the party is only embarrassing itself.
Later, a spokesman tried to defend the flier, arguing that it raised questions about her work ethic. How? Well, state GOP spokesperson David Sorenson used "the number of hours most World of Warcraft gamers spend playing the game (22.7 per week, on average) and the number it must have taken her to reach such a high level" as some sort of proof that her work ethic is problematic. First of all, using the average amount of time someone plays WoW is meaningless in looking at how much any individual plays. Also, isn't achieving a high level a sign of a strong work ethic?

Once again, Lee's response is perfect:
It's worth noting that the average American watches more than 30 hours of television per week. Many other Americans spend their evenings and weekends at the golf course. Yet it's hard to imagine anyone suggesting that devoting 22 hours per week to those hobbies made a candidate too lazy to hold elected office.
I realize it's election season, and with that comes really, really dumb campaign ideas from nearly every political party and/or candidate, but it's difficult to see how this particular strategy is good for anyone -- especially if you want younger people to vote for you. The younger generation tends to respect and look up to gamer politicians. Attacking them for doing something that millions of people enjoy just doesn't seem particularly smart.
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Filed Under: colleen lachowicz, gaming, gop, maine, politics, world of warcraft

65 Comments

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Reader Comments

The First Word

“
Clearly she is a lazy person though. This World of Warcraft character demonstrates it beyond a shadow of a doubt.

I mean, she's playing an Assassination rogue. That's the easiest spec of the most cheap-sauce class in the game. What a lazy, lazy player.

Now if she was playing a protection warrior or a healer or something though - that would be a different story.
—Anonymous Coward
 ”

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  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 5:24am

    Stupid GOP. DPS stands for Death Panel Services.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 5:33am

    in other words, there is someone else that the party wants and she is getting too close in the votes. the only choice left is to either discredit or ridicule her, or both, of course.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 5:39am

    I play WoW, a lot.

    Having looked at her Rogue (85 isn't the highest level anymore, nitpick), she was not spending 22+ hours a week playing. She's an extremely casual player, maybe a couple hours a week tops (if that).

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 5:43am

    septic tank digger raking up the dirt

    this is why vote the person, not the party

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Zakida Paul (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 5:48am

    *yawn*

    Another day, another GOP brain fart.

    Wake me when something new happens.

    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    That Anonymous Coward (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 5:50am

    They worry she might be to busy to be bought off and pass bad laws.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 5:57am

    Clearly she is a lazy person though. This World of Warcraft character demonstrates it beyond a shadow of a doubt.

    I mean, she's playing an Assassination rogue. That's the easiest spec of the most cheap-sauce class in the game. What a lazy, lazy player.

    Now if she was playing a protection warrior or a healer or something though - that would be a different story.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 6:20am

    Reminds me of children in a playground. Somebody impose some adult supervision on the politicians.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      That Anonymous Coward (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 6:32am

      Re:

      It is to late for them to learn that way, I suggest shock collars because being stupid should be painful. That way they learn to not do that again... that or we laugh as they keep getting shocked.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Killer_Tofu (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 6:29am

    *double facepalm*

    nuff said

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    fogbugzd (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 6:32am

    So the GOP decided to help Lachowicz and Democrats win over the WoW players? How very thoughtful of them. There are a lot of independent voters who play, and now the GOP has made it clear to them that they are not welcome in the GOP. Brilliant.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 11:15am

      Re:

      The GOP is downsizing the party. The big tent had too many different kinds of people in it and it made the uncomfortable.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    relghuar, 5 Oct 2012 @ 6:37am

    "the party is only embarrassing itself"

    No, it's not... it successfully finished embarrassing itself ad absurdum quite some time ago.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 6:42am

    So that's why Obama did so badly in the debate!

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 6:58am

      Re:

      That was more likely due to the fact that he's President and has other things on his mind.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        jupiterkansas (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 7:18am

        Re: Re:

        I'm pretty sure the dude's staying up too late playing video games. But I suspect he's more Call of Duty than WoW

        [ link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 8:20am

          Re: Re: Re:

          "I'm pretty sure the dude's staying up too late playing video games. But I suspect he's more Call of Duty than WoW"

          And he gets to play the real live version!

          [ link to this | view in chronology ]

          • icon
            jupiterkansas (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 10:25am

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            The live version sucks. Once you're dead the game's over forever.

            [ link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 11:49am

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

              Psh, not when you're driving the drones!

              It's just that respawning costs a couple million bucks.

              [ link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 2:28pm

        Re: Re:

        Like more ways to screw the people.

        [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 9:15am

      Re:

      Badly? I think it went as planned. Perfectly even. Hold back, offer very few openings, draw out the views, plans and opinions of the opposition, concede a perceived position of strength and comfort and offer little in the way of challenges and contention apart from ensuring your own statements, stances and facts are communicated. Brilliant. The hunt for red November.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 9:45am

        Re: Re:

        I'd like to think it was planned that way... or maybe like a smart boxer he's saving his best punches for the last couple of rounds, because those are the ones that stick in the minds of the judges.

        [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Mr. LemurBoy (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 6:51am

    I've been trying to think of something clever to say, but this kind of douchebaggery from the GOP just makes my head hurt.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Spike (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 7:08am

    If most of these morons in power actually lived in "Our World" over the current fantasy-land they currently live in, then "Our World" would be far better off.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 7:08am

    Can out of state people donate to her campaign?

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 7:14am

    I hear people in Iran play WoW too...

    Connect the dots, folks...

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 7:32am

    Well she lost my vote, because he plays Horde.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    FormerAC (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 7:41am

    Copyright violation?

    Wonder if the GOP bothered to license the orc image they used?

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Ninja (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 7:52am

    In this mindless and brutal battle of the Horde (Democrats) and the Alliance (Republicans) the innocent and pure assassin can only hope not to end in the USTR rogue players list. I say we need to raid those big evil villains but not in heroic mode, I still need that epic staff to boost my dps ;))

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 8:03am

    Maybe they're right

    I dunno, maybe the GOP is right.

    Seriously, I can't ever see myself voting for someone who plays WoW.

    I'm a gamer. I play MMOs. I spend a lot of my time gaming.

    But seriously, WoW? Don't want anything to do with that monstrosity of a poor excuse for a game.

    /gamer snob
    /sarcasm, in case you missed it

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Alto (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 8:20am

    It could be worse!

    I mean, she plays WoW, imagine if she was into Anarchy Online!

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Docs, 5 Oct 2012 @ 8:24am

    We need a 3rd option party for Azeroth!

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Liz (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 8:25am

    I'm guessing the GOP in Maine play Alliance.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    gorehound (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 8:26am

    GOP spokesperson David Sorenson wishing you could be sued or arrested over your slander.
    Next to the Nazi Party and Communist Party I put the GOP on my list of the Political Parties I truly hate.I can not stand these A-Holes.
    Everyone in this Nation must Vote this election and you must get your friends/family/fans to Vote.
    We must get this Disgusting Party out of our lives.
    The GOP = The Varren of Mass Effect.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 8:46am

      Re:

      The GOP is to the US is what the Muslim extremests are to the Middle East... they want to turn the clock back and take you back to the Middle Ages!

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous., 5 Oct 2012 @ 2:24pm

      Re:

      The other big party's no better. The Republicrats and the Demopubs both suck.
      "Everyone in this Nation must Vote this election...". Yeah, yeah, yeah. Voting is no solution. Besides that, "everyone in this nation" couldn't vote anyway, since there are a number of people in this nation who can't vote (those under 18 and convicted felons, for example).

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    The New Leroy?, 5 Oct 2012 @ 9:08am

    COLLEEEEEEEN LAAACHOOOWICZ

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Joel (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 9:41am

    What is this, the Breakfast Club?

    This is just another case of the Sportos harshing on the Neo-maxi-zoom-dweebies. I'll bet nobody in the GOP has EVER participated in FANTASY footbal.

    Wait, that's a total GOP-ethic pasttime: let the ones at the top (professinoal ball players) excel while those with no atheltic ability sit on their asses and somehow get ahead (with pretend points).

    Now, it makes sense!

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    tjnolin, 5 Oct 2012 @ 10:03am

    worst character flaw?

    She should be someone for my coworkers from Maine to vote for. Particularly if some time spent on a game was the worst character flaw they could find in her.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Almost Anonymous (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 10:05am

    Dangerous ground

    Sounds like the GOP is treading dangerously close to the crime of "blackening the memory of one who is dead". One of our recently killed diplomats in Libya was an Eve Online player. Are they suggesting he was lazy or unfit for his post?

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 11:48am

      Re: Dangerous ground

      This tack the GOP is taking is stupid as hell, but if "blackening the memory of one who is dead" was a crime there would be a lot more people in prison, and you're reallllly stretching trying to equate the EVE player with this lady too.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 10:13am

    according to this link.
    http://www.reddit.com/r/wow/comments/10xr8s/maine_republican_party_launches_attack_ad_against /

    Blizzard formally gave notice for this infringement

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    H Klang (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 10:57am

    Take a look at her brutal-looking Orc avatar. Looks like she's got what it takes
    to handle herself in the Senate.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Ferel (profile), 5 Oct 2012 @ 2:08pm

    I don't want to live on this planet anymore. /Farnsworth

    *Takes a Naaru ship to Azeroth*

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 2:16pm

    Next thing you know, it's OMG! She's a witch!!!!

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 3:34pm

    In addition to scaring the grandmas, the politics are aimed at motivating the less-technologically sophisticated segment of the religious right. WoW = D&D = Satan.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Yawgmoth, 5 Oct 2012 @ 5:04pm

    Politicians can make false claims about other people, with little consequence.
    Yet when normal people do it.... Its slander and taken to court... or sent to the secret prison hidden under Area 53... I mean, Guantani... somewhere if your talking about the president.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Oct 2012 @ 9:08pm

    Deaths per second?

    Seriously? They couldn't have taken the time to Google what DPS stands for?

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Keii (profile), 6 Oct 2012 @ 4:44am

    Are they trying to lose the WoW vote? Don't they know 11 million people play that game?

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    MHab, 6 Oct 2012 @ 10:28am

    Feat of Strength

    Maine has earned:["New Level of Pettiness!"] FoS
    Reward: Title 'the Crotchety'

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 Oct 2012 @ 6:41am

    Seperation fo Church and State

    I play a disc priest. I guess that makes me unfit for office due to the separation of church and state.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 13 Oct 2012 @ 8:32am

    Well that means I can't ever run for office because the thing I did in EVE Online would make them die of shock if playing WoW is enough to cause this much outrage :p

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    zelenak, 26 Aug 2013 @ 1:51am

    Warcraft

    Yea nice. But there coming the new warcraft.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]


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