When it comes to swing states, Hillary Clinton is determined to catch ’em all. The presumptive democratic nominee is hosting a campaign event at a PokéStop in Lakewood, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland, where the Republican National Convention will be held next week.
Here’s a message to trainers from the Clinton campaign site:
“Put up a lure module, get free pokemon, & battle each other while you register voters and learn more about Sec. Hillary Clinton!!!”
For those who’ve avoided the Internet, city streets, and anyone under 25 for the past week: Pokémon Go is a free augmented reality mobile app that lets players capture creatures in the world around them. The game exploded in popularity after its U.S. release last week.
Clinton has a dubious track record for trying reach young people by speaking their language. We all remember the disastrous — and grammatically incorrect — tweet she sent, asking college grads to emoji their student loan woes.
How does your student loan debt make you feel?
Tell us in 3 emojis or less.— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 12, 2015
Still, using the insanely popular Pokémon Go game makes a lot of sense for a campaign desperate to invigorate young voters, who are slow to rally behind Clinton like they did for Bernie Sanders. She may be the first, but she certainly won’t be the last candidate to use the app to reach young people. Businesses and marketers are also starting to eye the game, as a tool that offers unprecedented access to the coveted millennial demographic.
