The iPhone factor

While the Iraq war, sky-rocketing gas prices, healthcare, homeland security, global warming and immigration are among the top issues likely to register with voters in November, major candidates have completely ignored another issue that’ll undoubtedly be decisive in a presidential contest likely again to be determined by a handful of swing states: iPhone accessibility.
This little piece of inside baseball has even escaped polished political pundits able to divine voters’ innermost whims about candidates that voters themselves are not consciously aware.
Yep, the political geniuses among us are that good and they’ll tell you so. But they’re not on to the iPhone factor. I am, though. Now that it’s out in the open, look for Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) – the two Democratic presidential hopefuls – to exploit this opening in the lead up to next week’s final primaries.
Once the Dems sort everything out – whenever that is, if ever – iPhone accessibility will surely be central in head-to-head debates and mudslinging between the Democratic candidate and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
Here’s the deal: The iPhone is out of reach to many rural citizens in the United States, including those in swing states such as Colorado, Nevada, New Hampshire and New Mexico. The Federal Communications Commission has been asked to investigate the iPhone disconnect.
While we haven’t yet polled rural voters in swing states on iPhone accessibility, there is revealing Web dialogue on the subject. This from “Young Professional” in Republican-solid Wyoming via WyomingNews.com (the Tribune Eagle): “I would LOVE to have the iPhone here in WY. If AT&T were offered in WY, I know many people that would terminate their existing agreements with other carriers – regardless of the exclusivity agreement between Apple and AT&T, just to get the iphone.”
At the same time, on the same Web site, “Polka Fan” writes: “The iPhone is an Apple product and the price is determined by Apple, not AT&T. Apple products get a higher price because, in general, they are a better product. I would love an iPhone, but I have managed to sync my Windows Mobile with my current Mac. We live in a rural area, we just need to deal with it. At least we are not using 2 tin cans and a string any longer.”