I almost thought it was April 1st, but no it is actually just a couple of days before the election of the new President of the United States. Which probably accounts for why EA has apparently decided to develop a download content pack for the Mercenaries 2 game which will allow you to play as either Barack Obama or Sarah Palin.

Yep, Sarah Palin in her trademark and apparently very expensive red suit, complete with prim hair and glasses, can wield a rocket launcher and kick some soldier ass. Meanwhile, a sober suited Barack Obama is somehow more out of character as he grapples with the bad guys and drops a grenade into a tank before heading into battle.

It looks like hilarious stuff, and a trailer video of both Palin and Obama in action can be viewed here.

Of course, this is not the first time that Obama has appeared in a video game. He has already been appearing in EA Xbox 360 games on billboards as part of the ongoing advertising blitz. The first time a Presidential candidate has appeared in-game.

Palin, meanwhile, is better known for being on the receiving end of virtual skullduggery.

The one question that I keep asking myself though, is why Palin and Obama? Surely McCain, the veteran and hero, would be ideally suited to the role? And why no Biden?

I guess, as an outsider looking in who has followed the campaign closely, it must just be a reflection as to who people are really voting for in this election. Who the 'stars' of President 08 really are.