Let Me Get Yo Digits

Moving onto smaller and more intimate things…

In the past years new technology has played a huge role in state and local races as well. Many politicians running also have websites and pages on networking sites such as facebook. Charles W. Boustany, Congressman in Southwest Louisiana, has a site with his bio, resume, initiatives, and speeches. In addition, there is an area for local news, contact information, issues and legislation, etc. It makes it so much easier for people and potential voters (when it comes time to campaigning) to see what he’s all about. One important tool that Boustany has used in the past is teleconferencing which “also become popular high-tech tools for communicating “personally” with voters” explains Dave Ross in the article How Campaign Communication Technology Works.

There is a company called Tele-Town Halls, which can actually call thousands of people all over the United States at once to discuss certain policies, issues, or campaigns. This has been used by politicians all over the U.S. and is a great way to get the people’s attention. Politicians who have used this include Senator Rodney Ellis, state senate candidate Wes Moreland, and state assembly candidate Adam Murray. There can be speakers, special guests, recordings, practically anything over these phone conferences and can “offer a candidate the opportunity to talk directly to targeted voter demographics (like specific counties in an early primary state) and answer their questions live via phone, e-mail or online message boards” explains Ross.

I think that this is one of the greatest ways to campaign and communicate with locals. It is very personable and can really educate people who might otherwise not have time to look into certain policies, issues, etc. I feel that teleconferences are often overlooked and very underrated.

References
How Campaign Communication Technology Works By Dave Ross
Tele-Town Hall
Charles W. Boustany

Putting Things Into Perspective, Fiscally Of Course

I would just like to throw a little something out there. Campaigning online, as opposed to on the radio or television is extremely cheap and many times free! It does cost money to maintain websites and put up electronic advertisements, however, it is free to make profiles/ pages on Facebook and upload videos onto to YouTube. The amount of money the candidates raised does not even compare to the amount they spent campaigning on the web. And also (!) many voters enjoyed the free campaigning on social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Myspace even more!

"In the first quarter of 2007 alone, presidential hopefuls as a group spent $2.5 million on Internet services, including staff and technology. That’s nothing compared with TV -- candidates are expected to spend $2 billion to $3 billion in the 2008 elections on TV ads. But, the return on investment with the Internet is impressive. With $2.5 million in Internet spending, candidates have already earned $25 million to $30 million in online fund raising." -Dave Ross, September 5, 2007

Just a few dates to keep in mind....

1994: Senator Dianne Feinstein of California launches the first campaign Web site.

1996: In a televised debate, presidential candidate Bob Dole gives the wrong address for his Web site.

1998: Ex-professional wrestler Jesse Ventura uses e-mail to rally support for his surprise victory as Minnesota governor.

2000: Presidential hopeful John McCain proves that the Web is a powerful fund-raising tool.

2002: Millions of Americans turn to the Web as their primary source of political information.

2004: Presidential candidate Howard Dean uses blogs and social networking sites like Meetup.com to launch a sweeping grassroots campaign.

2006: Internet video becomes an integral part of campaign sites.

2007: Every presidential candidate has a MySpace and Facebook page.

Reference

How Campaign Communication Technology Works By Dave Ross

The Candidates Take a Step Into the Facebook World

Election campaigning reached the facebook world as well (Yes, there is the real world and then there is the facebook world). Although, many of our parents, and even grandparents, have a facebook profile, it is primarily used by our generation. Politicians began realizing how often we “hang out” in the facebook world several years ago and really took advantage of it in this past election. When voters find out that politicians also enjoy stepping into the stalkerish, yet wonderful, world of facebook, they can relate to them more easily.

“These sites tear down the traditional barriers between those in power -- be they celebrities or politicians -- and their fan base or supporters, providing the semblance -- if not the reality -- of personal involvement and a forum for discussion. If a 22-year-old male from New Hampshire can be "friends" on MySpace with Paris Hilton, goes the thinking, why not Senator Obama?”

-Linnie Rawlinson, CNN

By using facebook, the politicians can make groups, or pages, for FREE which anyone can join or become a fan of. By joining, a facebook user can receive messages from these groups and pages. When a potential voter is constantly getting updates on a campaign while facebook chatting their friend, they feel special. It’s as if they had a love letter waiting for them in their inbox from John McCain every day. Some of these groups included “One Million Strong for Obama” which now has over one million members. Several Obama supporters started this group before the campaign even started! In this group there are discussion forums, a wall for comments, a place to upload photos, and a link to donate money. They would also host Obama campaigning events to raise money and political awareness before the election. For the record, do not try to outsmart these democrats, there are VERY specific group rules listed under info…check them out!

Sadly, the John McCain fan page is not as developed. There are a bit over five hundred thousand members and there is only a wall for comments. There is no discussion board and no place to donate. There are however websites that can lead you to other pro McCain pages. As if it wasn’t obvious before the election, I am now realizing more and more how much of Obama’s campaign was put on the web. He did a better job reaching the younger voters and won because of it.

There is absolutely no reason a politician should not be campaigning through facebook, they only profit from it! It is a free way to reach out to voters and make them realize how important they are to the election process.

References

Will the 2008 Election be Won on FaceBook? By Linnie Rawlinson, CNN

One Million Strong for Obama Facebook group

McCain's Facebook Page

YouTube It!

The ever so famous youtube has not only been a source for comedic videos, it also became a very useful campaigning tool in the 2008 presidential election. The candidates used Youtube in order to communicate with their voters through videos in a very affordable manner. Many younger voters who did not necessarily watch the news have an easier time searching youtube for campaign speeches, which in turn, makes them form an opinion on the election.

“Online video has quickly become an essential way for the general public to become politically informed and empowered," said Chad Hurley, YouTube Co-Founder and CEO. "At its core, YouTube is about democracy and self-expression and we're proud to be providing politicians with an environment where they can share information with voters."

The “environment” mentioned by Hurley is typically referring to youtube channels. A channel is similar to a profile, all videos, pictures, comments, etc. are loaded onto it. These politician’s channels on youtube make it easier for voters to really get a feel for their campaign. Barack Obama and John McCain both have youtube channels. Check them out!

During the election, there was a campaign called YouTube You Choose 08. This platform allowed the voters to connect with each other by making comments on different news articles, videos, speeches, etc. There were also chats in which people could debate about the candidates. I feel that this was a truly genius idea of YouTube. It was marketed towards the younger voters (ages 18-25) and made many of them realize that their opinion matters. This campaign was not biased towards any candidate; it was simply expressing how important it was for American citizens to vote.

In addition to showing videos provided by the candidate’s campaigns, there were also videos made by other people about the election, which really got YouTube users’ attention. These videos varied from cute with 15,846,077 views to extremely disturbing with 46,065,051 views .There are some people who get offended by the more vulgar videos, but those are the clips that catch the voter’s attentions. I feel that by watching the funnier clips, people can enjoy the election process on a more comedic, laid back level.

Whether people were watching parodies of the candidates or clips from FOX, YouTube really affected the 2008 election. It gave so many people the opportunity to familiarize themselves with this election, and learn each candidate’s stance on so many different issues.

References

YouTube's Role in the 2008 Election By Mike Sachoff
Obama's YouTube
McCain's YouTube
Crush on Obama
Clinton and Obama - Umberella Music Video

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

Hello everyone.

I am going to be posting blogs for my COMM3332 (New Communication Technology) class. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE feel free to comment on anything I write. My grade is not only based on my writing, but on your comments as well so I hope that you will comment away out of the kindness of your heart.