This week’s reading served as a perfect example of how online political movement is growing. The article started off with a quote which states “I e-mail you that I like Dean, maybe you’ll tell your wife. If I tell you face to face, you’ll tell everyone.” Merely a few years ago, I would have completely agreed without any doubts but I think with the gradual but definite growth of blogging communication, I have high doubts that this quote can be stated with truth. Howard Dean’s campaign was the perfect example of this. The article reveals statistics of 500,00 online Dean supporters and a whopping $7.4 million online donations. I think it is also safe to say that with major developments since Dean’s campaign, it will be a complete different story in 2008.
Edward Cone also states that “with the Internet, an effective campaign creates a community that will on its own begin to market your product for you.”
With websites such as Newsvine and Newscloud and various other blogging community websites, it is undoubtably true that the internet can be utilized as a much more efficient and growing way of gaining support. Unlike TV advertisements, the blogging community is able to carry on full discussions and share information in a much more faster, efficient way. Also, the internet can become even more useful when used with other forms of communication, such as TV. With sites such as Youtube and Google Video, campaign commercials can be spread through the internet much faster than a single viewing on TV. Not only is the internet good grounds for sharing information, Cone also states that the internet may be used for people to set up real life meetings where they can support the campaign much more directly. The internet connects people halfway across the country and gives them all something to relate to and talk about. I think amonst all things, blogging will become very beneficial for political campaigns. I think this day and age, many people spend a good portion of their day infront of their computers. It only makes sense that people will begin to utilize this portion of the day to support political movements.
1) Do you think internet campaigning will become a major, if not primary form of political movements
2) What are some of the negative aspects of utilizing internet campaigning over traditional ways?
3) Do you think as the blogging community grows, it will make a major change in the way people decide on their vote?
May 1, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Good reflection Young. I agree with you that with Dean’s stats of 500,000 online supporters and $7.4 million online donations, sort of discounts that face-to-face speech will have more of an impact than online communication. Having these online set-ups allows for communication all across the country. It is virtually impossible for every supporter to visit every place on the map giving their views, but disseminating information through the Internet is so easy.
I think that Internet campaigning will become a major form of political movements, it is already heading in that direction. Even if politicians aren’t using it as Dean has, they are still using it to some degree with websites and myspace, etc. It may only be a matter of time before it is the primary form of campaigning.
May 1, 2007 at 2:23 pm
I totally agree with you that the Internet will hold greater significance in the 2008 election season. Yeah, last time around a lot was accomplished, but even more can be done now because candidates and staffers have evaluated what works and what doesn’t work. The balance between online activity and real on-the-streets activism is a tough thing to find, but the candidate who figures it out will have a hell of a lot of support.
May 1, 2007 at 2:26 pm
It will definitely have a greater significance like ksilva said but I hope it’s not going to be the primary method of campaigning. There’s just too much disconnect with the Internet. You don’t really know who’s typing that blog or asking the questions of candidates. I’m old fashioned. I need to see the candidate in-person to really get a sense of who they are. Granted, public appearances by candidates are highly scripted but it would give me more information than printed words or youtube videos.