Obama, set to accept the party's nomination next week during the Democratic National Convention in Denver, said he would text supporters who he tapped to run with him, expected to happen Saturday, Politico reported.

Meanwhile, texters are sending out fake messages announcing the vice presidential choice as Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, thought to be on the short list, and Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, believed to be a dark horse, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, and even Mickey Mouse.

Thumbing their hardest, pranksters have punched "send" with the "running mates" with the help of the Wonkette Web site, the Washington political Web site said Thursday. The site's managing editor, Ken Layne, posted a reader-inspired, step-by-step manual, headlined. "Freak Out Your Friends With Fake Obama VP TXT."

"There is incredible enthusiasm for Barack Obama's vice presidential announcement and unfortunately some people have used that enthusiasm and sent out hoaxes," said Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki, a recipient of one herself. "We can assure our supporters these texts did not come from the campaign and their data is secure."