Technology in the 2008 Election

The 2008 Presidential election was the modest modern election yet. Not only was there an African American and a woman as candidates, most of the campaigning was done online. With over 215 million Americans using the Internet daily, it is not really an option to avoid campaigning online. Much campaigning was done through websites such as facebook, youtube and myspace, which are sites that are used by a wide variety of people and, therefore, would definitely capture potential voters’ attention. There were websites other than the most popular social networking sites used for other campaigning purposes as well.
There was a website made by students for students before the election in order to encourage 18 year olds vote. The site is www.18in08.com …very catchy address in my opinion. “On the website, one can register to vote, compare presidential candidates and their views, listen to podcasts, vote in polls, and discuss politics with other young people interested in the election” explained Ambassador Patricia L. Herbold. Websites such as this one really proved to the candidates how easily the young minds can be molded. In this past election, much of the focus was put on the younger voters and the candidates were willing to do anything to reach out to this generation. “In 2004, campaigns learned that reaching younger volunteers and voters – through new technologies and organizations like the non-partisan group called “Rock the Vote” – is less expensive than connecting with older voters through more traditional methods like television advertising” (P.L. Herbold). Reaching the younger the generation was only the beginning of the many uses of the Internet in the 2008 election.
There were websites made to protect both sides from misinformation spread through blogs and other opinion based sites. Obama’s campaign created a website called www.Fightthesmears.com where Obama voters could post accurate information proving rumors from other sites wrong. Fightthesmears.com was constantly being updated and protected Obama from rumors that may have or could have potentially gotten out of hand.

…And the sites don’t stop here. The amount of websites and Internet advertisements focused on the 2008 election are endless.

It is hard for me to admit that I think this resourceful use of technology was genius, because quit frankly it was expected. In my opinion, using the Internet is by far the most efficient way of campaigning and will definitely help a candidate gain voters more than any other medium of communication.

References
US Election 2008: From the web to the oval office By Tom O'Mera
The 2008 U.S. Presidential Election by Ambassador Patricia L. Herbold
www.18in08.com
www.Fightthesmears.com