Are you feeling virtual? Mark Warner is. On Wednesday, August 30, the former Virginia governor and possible Democratic presidential candidate made history by becoming the first U.S. politician to campaign in an entirely fabricated environment: a video game.

The name of the game is Second Life, a highly frequented Web game of the Massively Multiplayer Online genre. Users are free to create their own avatar and engage in almost any activity one can do in the real world. The game bills itself as “(a)n online society within a 3D world, where users can explore, build, socialize and participate in their own economy.”

Warner made his appearance in Second Life at the New Globe Theatre, a virtual version of its namesake, and took the opportunity to share his views with an audience that otherwise may never have even heard his name. Following the speech, Warner announced the creation of “Forward Together,” a Second Life group aimed at raising funds for his political campaign.

While in character, Second Life journalist Wagner James Au interviewed Warner’s avatar.

Although politicians are always coming up with new ways to spread their messages, one can’t help but question why Warner decided to play games. Warner explained his idea, saying, “In Second Life, distances and time differences vanish. It will allow us to reach people through a whole new medium. Social technologies can be great tools for political change, and virtual worlds like Second Life might be the next tool for engaging people in the real world democratic process.”

It’s certainly an innovative idea. Just remember to check your opponents’ names the next time you boot up your favorite game. You never know with which future leader of the free world you might be playing.