The Virtual Campaign December 9, 2008
Posted by gjchatalas in Digital Democracy, Election, Politics.Tags: campaigns, Internet, websites
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Candidate Use of the Internet in the 2008 Elections
A Report by Jody Chatalas and Katie Hall
The recent elections represented the high point in Internet campaigning, as an online presence was a crucial element in most campaigns. The Obama campaign gets the most publicity, and deservedly so, for its innovative online efforts in fundraising, communicating and organizing. But throughout the entire country the Internet was an important ingredient of political campaigns, from congress to county judge, from the governor’s mansion to the local firehouse.
With this vast diffusion of campaign websites in mind, we’ve examined several local campaign sites to assess how they were used and to what degree of effectiveness. We’ve also spoken to some local politicos to gather further insight into the prevalence of digital tools in campaigns, and what the future may hold in that regard.
The Intersection of News, Politics and Community November 25, 2008
Posted by gjchatalas in Digital Democracy, Media, Politics.Tags: Community Networks, News, Newspapers
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If politicians don’t measure very high on the public opinion scale, the press doesn’t stand much taller. Both are roundly criticized by Americans in polls gauging public satisfaction. It’s really no coincidence, though, as the fortunes of both have been intertwined since the early days of our democracy. And the media even inherited its nickname as the Fourth Estate due to its relationship with the three branches of government.
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E-Government: The Election’s Over, Now It’s Time to Govern November 11, 2008
Posted by gjchatalas in Digital Democracy, Politics.Tags: digital divide, e-government
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Another big election is in the books. We’ve expended energy following, analyzing and funding candidates and causes. And in the wake of tallying the votes, many are already planning for and looking ahead to the next visit to the polls.
What often gets overlooked in the election aftermath, however, is the actual management of the government. After all, the entire point of getting elected is to run the government.
Similarly, the recent election heralded the prominence of the Internet as a significant tool in the campaigns. Obama’s use of digital media is considered by many to be revolutionary in its approach, engaging and communicating with millions of citizens. But what about the Internet’s role in government? If the wired world is contributing so much to our society, then it must be applicable to the practices within city halls.
Election Night Coverage November 4, 2008
Posted by gjchatalas in Digital Democracy, Election, Media, Politics.Tags: 2008 election, Bellweather, Blogs, Media
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Blogs Keeping Up with Big Media Coverage So Far
Popular political blogs Talking Point Memo and Political Wire are being cautious in their tone, but exit polls and numbers from the states where polls have closed are indicating Obama is looking good in crucial state Virginia and close in Indiana. Political Wire says it has lots of numbers, but is taking them with a grain of salt at this point; however, if the numbers are accurate, “battleground states will probably be called much earlier than expected.
Both these sites have great maps where you can zero in on a county to see the tallies as the votes are counted. These rival that which we see by the big media sites like CNN and MSNBC. And as of now, I see nothing on the big guys’ sites that I don’t see on TPM and Political Wire in terms of results and information.
Meanwhile, hardcore liberal blog Daily Kos says Virginia is a done deal for Obama… and not even close. Oops… it just changed… too close to call after all. That’s obviously an overly enthusiastic blog at the moment.
Small Indiana County May Portend National Trend
Vigo County in western Indiana is showing Obama with a 57-42 lead with 80 percent of the votes counted. In 2004, Bush won Vigo 53-46.
Furthermore, Vigo is described as one of the more reliable bellweather counties in the nation. It’s only missed on the president twice since 1892. And its final numbers have proven to be remarkably close to those of the country.
These posts first appeared on November 4, 2008 at the 2008 Digital Democracy Election Blog
Internet Grows Greatly as Source for Campaign News November 4, 2008
Posted by gjchatalas in Digital Democracy, Election, Media, Politics.Tags: 2008 election, campaign news, Internet, Media
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Most political enthusiasts will be following the election coverage of various media sources tonight. I, for one, will be checking out blogs and results online, but will also be tuned into the television. As it turns out, I’m not alone.
A just-released study shows that television continues to be the main source of news related to the 2008 campaigns. But the Internet has grown substantially in this regard, pulling ahead of newspapers. The report, by the Pew Research Center, demonstrates that while the use of television and newspapers for campaign news has remained essentially stagnant, the web has shown a significant increase since 2004, from 10 percent to 33 percent.
As we might expect, the growth is in large part due to the younger set. Nearly 50 percent in the 18-29 age range list the Internet as a main resource for such news, and it’s at 37 percent for those age 30-49.
So as we’re turning to television and the web to track election day activity, realize this combination is being increasingly relied upon by a great portion of the country.
Bloggers as a Virtual Political Party October 21, 2008
Posted by gjchatalas in Digital Democracy, Media, Politics.1 comment so far
The aftermath of the 2004 elections was painful for democrats. Not only did they fail to unseat an unpopular president, but both houses of congress remained in republican hands. One group in particular faced some soul searching: the liberal blogosphere, the network of online activists using technology to activate the progressive base. Among the left there was optimism that the country would change its course, and bloggers felt their brand of digital activism was a new paradigm for winning political campaigns. Yet in the end the democrats, and bloggers, came up short.
Despite the setbacks, these bloggers, also known as the netroots, were undeterred and continued to move forth with their style of online organizing. At the same time, liberal activists were growing restless with the reluctance of democrats in congress to challenge the Bush administration on the war and other issues. One target of this enmity was Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, whose support of Bush initiatives was clearly at odds with the increasingly vocal progressives. Symbolic of Lieberman’s rightward tilt was the senator’s kiss of President Bush at the 2005 State of the Union address. Progressives, encouraged by bloggers, vowed to challenge Lieberman, and set out to find a candidate to challenge him in the 2006 Connecticut Democratic Party primary.
Campaign Usage of Digital Technologies October 14, 2008
Posted by gjchatalas in Digital Democracy, Media, Politics.2 comments
Assessing technology’s impact on society is a timeworn exercise. Over the last several years the Internet has become an obvious focus of such study amid its growing prominence. Fortunately, examining the convergence of politics and the Internet isn’t overwhelming because it’s both fresh in our memory and the data is more easily accessible. And there is no shortage of analysis on the role digital technology plays in our electoral and governmental processes.
Hybrid Print/Online Publication Embraces Citizen Media May 29, 2008
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We often discuss the subject of revenue models in the online world. While there are a multitude of Internet businessess and offerings, the earnings that will support many of them are elusive. This is particularly so in the area of social media, where companies have innovative services being used by many, but the sources of revenue are a work in progress. Our recent guest from Nokia acknowledged that financial expectations are uncertain for its new online services; it was more important to provide these services and gradually see what practical models emerge.
As we’re also aware, the future of print publications is perpetually debated. So it is great to learn about a business that is successfully combining traditional publishing with user generated content. 8020 Publishing is running its travel and photography magazines in a cost-efficient manner by using online editorial and photo submissions. The San Francisco-based company produces its magazines based on the best material, and suggestions, of its online community.
8020 is creating these magazines and managing its websites with a staff of less than 20, a miniscule workforce compared to many other national print publications. Even better, the company is forecasting profits by next year.
This model has proven to be so effective, 8020 has plans for similar magazines dedicated to food and cars. With one small hitch, though… it will only proceed if its dedicated online community members say the new titles are worthwhile and that they will support it.
Lessig Provides More Legitimacy to the Netroots May 14, 2008
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The netroots often receive credit for energizing and organizing the progressive movement. Using social media tools, these activists have had a profound effect on national and local elections. Indeed, Barack Obama has largely built his campaign and its coffers by embracing the netroots.
Alas, these online activists aren’t always accorded respect by political insiders. At times there’s been tension between the DC hacks and the netroots about tactics and effectiveness. And I’ve heard a local democratic leader refer to the movement as “the nut-roots”.
The netroots, though, perseveres with its brand of activism that is shaping the future of politics and the party. Its third annual conference, Netroots Nation, is in mid-July in Austin. And Lawrence Lessig will be a keynote speaker.
Lessig, of course, is a tech intellect and superstar who has advanced efforts toward ensuring the Internet remains democratic and open to all. In late 2007 Lessig announced that he would dedicate significant time to the issue of corruption.
In the meantime, the members of the netroots are ecstatic that Lessig will speak at the coming conference. This tech giant’s presence gives the movement more legitimacy, connecting the netroots’ political emphasis with the technological and cultural elements of the Internet. One netroots leader, Chris Bowers at OpenLeft.com, described the importance of Lessig’s participation:
It is an expansive moment where the netroots demonstrates a wider focus on more than just elections and party politics, but also on the broader social trends that make the netroots possible.
- Jody Chatalas
Daily Newspaper Gives Up Paper, Goes Entirely Online May 14, 2008
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We already know there are publications available on the web, and many have made online publishing the thrust of their business. Included among these are Salon, Slate, Grist and Crosscut, just to name a few. Clearly this model is well in place, and online publications will continue to emerge.
Newspapers, however, continue to straddle the line between print and pixels. They have an online presence, but still hold on dearly to their sacred cash-cows. Although the Internet makes trees and trucks expendable, newspaper executives just can’t bring themselves to fully part with those two rather expensive items.
