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Watch Obama Own the Internet All Over Again

Submitted by Patrick Ruffini on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 13:47
in

As we debate how to rebuild our party with new technology and stronger grassroots, watch for the media to fawn all over Obama's use of the Internet as President as he brings (some) of the tactics of his winning campaign to the White House.

It began this weekend with the release of President-elect Obama's YouTube address and the transformation of the anachronistic radio address. This generated an explosion of media interest, even though 1) the format is not especially compelling, and 2) at least initially, ratings and comments on the video have been turned off, preventing ordinary Americans from talking back -- contrary to what happened on My.BarackObama.com during the campaign.

Jonathan Klinger has written about what happens when the bottom-up culture of the campaign meets the top-down culture of government. Still, assuming Obama is able to overcome legal hangups about comments on the White House website and YouTube channel -- as HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt and Blogger Bob of the TSA have on their government-hosted blogs -- we can expect to see unprecedented innovation (a.k.a. stuff that's now standard campaign fare but totally unknown to government).

Here's what I think we can expect from the new WhiteHouse.gov. The media will fall all over themselves when these happen even though they are nothing new if you've been watching Obama's new media efforts during the campaign. Be on the lookout for:

  • A blog with comments on WhiteHouse.gov.
  • A greater emphasis on e-mail collection and frequent campaign-style advocacy e-mails from figures ranging from Rahm Emanuel and the President himself. The DNC or Obama for America 2 will have THE LIST, but I predict an independent effort to create a millions-strong list inside the White House (with a splash page not out of the question). Remember: official sites get FAR more traffic than campaign sites, so the ability to collect 10,000 or more e-mail addresses a day is not to be overlooked if they put sound conversion-maximizing practices in place.
  • "A day in the life of the President" YouTube documentary series. This will get more views than a comparable NBC special if it's any good.
  • Using UStream to live-stream ALL the President's or the White House's public events. The campaign saw that when they posted several minutes of original content daily on their YouTube channel, people watched. The White House will have hours of such material AND the bully pulpit.
  • A White House Twitter account with the occasional original tweet and @ reply. The Bush team deserves credit for jumping on Twitter long before it hit critical mass, although its tweets are limited to a Twitterfeed of the White House website. Check out 10 Downing Street's Twitter feed for an indicator of what's coming. 
  • The White House will experiment with user-generated policy recommendations, akin to Dell's IdeaStorm or the petitions feature on the Number 10 site, where citizens can create their own petitions and collect signatures right on the site. 

 

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Comments

Stay on top of this Patrick

Submitted by johnson springs on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 14:27.

It is really important that conservatives stay abreast of these changes.

My contribution at RebuildingTheParty is essentially a plea that by 2012 the GOP's online activities are where the Democrats will be in 2012. If we show up in 2012 with 2008 tools we'll be in trouble once again.

Thanks for the links as well.

One of Obama's Other Strengths

Submitted by Tom Readmond on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 15:18.

Obama's use of the Internet has deservedly gained a lot of attention, but I've also been astounded by his campaign's attention to detail in terms of message and symbolism.

You may have noticed in the background they've placed the presidential papers of John F. Kennedy on the credenza.  Not Bill Clinton, Lyndon Johnson, or even Ronald Reagan.  This is another reason Barack Obama won the election: everything has been thought through in advance.  The overall tenor of his campaign was clearly plotted out years ago.  Watching his 2004 convention speech, knowing what we know now, it becomes obvious that he'd already thought his presidential campaign through four years prior.  Republican campaigns can learn a lot from this.  It's also important to understand that Obama's use of the Internet was only a component of an elegant campaign, and not just a silver bullet to be mimicked for success.

Use the new resources

Submitted by GabrielWest on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 16:37.

Opening Whitehouse.gov to comments and participation is great news for conservatives. We should take this as another venue to make our voices heard.

We have to make sure we don't shun the new administration's internet infrastructure. It can be a great tool.

I actually agree with that

Submitted by Big Ben 4 liberty on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 17:13.

We can post ideas and suggestions for Obama (as former Speaker Jim Wright once said about Goerge HW Bush, "we only want to help the president") and criticisms of Obama when he is wrong.  If this results in banning of those who post conservative comments and removal of the comments by the moderator.  This will further Obama's image as a censor and someone who will not tolerate dissent. Especially if his side continues to falsely accuse us of racism.  This will force Obama to listen to us and actually make good on his promises of rising above partisanship which he has yet to actually do. 

from my reading of the scholarship on the subject

Submitted by RisingTide on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 17:18.

and your conduct here, sir, you do indeed fit the title racist.

you can take that as you will, but do not act as though you have not provided any evidence for my judgement. The evidence at hand dovetails nicely with Colorblind Racism.

 

that is all.

Ah yes, when someone argues

Submitted by Gregoir on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 17:56.

Ah yes, when someone argues that individuals be equal, without regard to the color of one's skin, it's "colorblind racism".

Do you realize how insane this sounds?

feel free to read the research

Submitted by RisingTide on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 11:21.

make your own conclusions. but read the research first, don't go talking about how insane it is. Because I CAN show you more insane research -- that is still scientifically valid, and good design.

Have you read any research on placebos? That's always one that's counterintuitive.

And there's plenty of research on G-d (or at least the mental state you find yourself in when you think you are close to G-d)

You are the epitomy of a mindless dumbass

Submitted by Big Ben 4 liberty on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 18:09.

You spout nothing but propaganda, no matter how ridiclous, asinine and utterly without intellectual merit.  "Colorblidn racism", who would have thought Rev. Martin Luther King was a racist.  Seriously do you even listen to yourself? Is there anything in that head of yours besides one big steaming pile of shit?

spamming my post too

Submitted by bernardmoon on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 18:42.

RidingTide posted his nonsense comments on my blog post too.  He's just posting without thought to annoy people (leftwing plant), or just an idiotic college kid interning at the DNC.

Simple but effective...

Submitted by MeganKent on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 18:57.

I have never in my life (I'm 44) listened to a presidential radio address unless it was excerpted in some other news story I happened to be watching/listening to. However, the simplicity and flexibility of being able to access the address on YouTube made me both interested and easily able to watch it.