Politics: Pelosi In Pixels?

In 1960, a young JFK outshone Richard Nixon in a televised debate, proving the political importance of physical appearance. Now, leaders may have to manage their image in a new medium: virtual reality. "Capitol Hill," launched earlier this month, is a new location in the over-2 million-member online community Second Life--a 3-D world that users traverse with personalized characters called "avatars" (think SimCity on a massive scale). The forum may soon allow everyday people digital face time with elected leaders. Rep. George Miller of California appeared "on the Hill" Jan. 4, fielding questions via his avatar, which he described to NEWSWEEK as having "a big mop of gray hair."

Since that appearance, Clear Ink--the Internet marketing firm that designed Capitol Hill for Second Life--says three more House members' offices from both parties have expressed interest in the forum. An avatar for Speaker Nancy Pelosi has already been created; Pelosi's office says she would consider appearing.

Troi Nelson, who built Pelosi's avatar based on photos, says she aimed for realism, but added a "twinkle" to the Speaker's eyes. "She has really distinctive features," Nelson says. "Her eyes and her mouth took a little bit of work."

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