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June 15, 2008
If only all those online friends will vote
Politico's Ben Adler provides a detailed look at the marked contrast between the online operations of presidential candidates and U.S. Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. The enormous difference makes it tempting to get excited (as an Obama supporter), but one must remember that a great many Americans are like John McCain is when it comes to the internet: he relies on his (much younger) wife for help, and, according to the linked article, couldn't even answer a reporter's question about whether he uses a Mac or a PC.
Sometimes the difference isn't merely age; rural voters are still less likely to be signed up with a campaign online than are their metropolitan counterparts.
And the other thing to remember about all those Facebook fans is that, even though voting in a lot of states is done on a computer screen, it will likely take some doing to get the kids to actually go and do that.
There are a number of indicators that seem to point toward an Obama victory in November, and this is merely one of them. There are also statistics and analyses that point the other way. Much work is ahead for all the campaigns.
Most importantly, no matter which candidate you support, and even if you have not yet made up your mind, make sure you (and your friends) are registered to vote, and that you make an informed decision when you do vote.
Elections , Presidential Elections | By joe lance | 11:13 PM
Comments
Ron Paul (my pick) was big on the internet, not so much in the voting booth. The internet politics have yet to come. Most don't read blogs, or even read any political info on the net.
Posted by: mickey at June 16, 2008 9:43 PM
As a fellow pres campaign blogger I am constantly struck by the difference between the two campaign's websites.
Obama always has fresh material, several times a day.
But other than transcripts of speeches, it's like pulling teeth to get McCain to post a new clip on his blog.
Do you find this to be the case too, Joe?
Posted by: =dan= at June 18, 2008 3:49 PM