You know it's been a slow news day at the New York Times when they assemble a couple of scant details about the appearance of videogames in the Presidential campaign under the headline "Some Video Gamers Leery of Obama's Views" (registration required). In addition to citing the inveterate cryers of "Wolf!" over at GamePolitics.com, they base their story on a user comment on 1up.com. That's right, a user comment that they don't even bother to link. Could this be because the post makes more sense than either the New York Times story or the 1up story it's commenting on?

As a scholar and college teacher that writes about games, I don't see this as any kind of whipping post that's part of Obama's policy building (for the record, I didn't see it in McCain's, either). The only way games will come up as a major part of any presidency anytime soon is just as it has in the past: when it's a convenient scapegoat.

However, videogames are already a factor in Obama's presidency. Like Bill Clinton before him, Barack Obama is in touch with a whole new generation of voters, and therefore American culture. The generation that helped elect Obama grew up with videogames, and the campaign used videogames to reach out to them. Obama has referenced videogames when he appeals to getting out the vote, and when he calls for greater parental responsibility.

There's even an urban legend going around that Barack Obama was able to riff on the "all your base are belong to us" opening of Zerowing, although I doubt there's any truth to that one. The guy can't even distinguish between lithium batteries and dilithium crystals! Check out this anecdote from Newsweek's epic account of the Presidential campaign:

"That's an interesting belt buckle," [Obama] said to Michelle, mischievously. She feigned offense and said, "I am interesting, next to you. Surprise, surprise, a blue suit, a white shirt and a tie." Obama grinned and bent down until he was almost at eye level with her waist. He jabbed a playful finger toward her belt buckle, and let loose his inner nerd. "The lithium crystals! Beam me up, Scotty!" Obama squeaked, laughing at his own lame joke as Michelle rolled her eyes.

Lithium crystals? Good lord, Mr. President-Elect, it's a good thing you didn't try that at a party of Star Trek fans. While Barack Obama may not be as big a dork as us videogame players, he deserves credit for being aware that we're out here. We should be glad, not leery.