Looking back at the 2008 Presidential Race historians and media critics are likely to note some dramatic shifts. One is the increased interest and participation on the part of young voters. The second, and clearly related, phenomenon is the use of new media technology by the candidates, their supporters, and their detractors. For a more institutional take on this phenomenon, check out the Politics Online Conference website. The two-day conference (March 4-5) is held in Washington, DC and has sessions with titles like Campaigning in a Web 2.0 World.One example of consumer-generated new media in a supporting role is the We Are The Ones music video by the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am. The title comes from Senator Obama’s Super Tuesday speech in which he said, “we are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” On the same website you can upload your photo to contribute to a picture montage of the video.
On a more sinister note, Matt Druge posted an image on his website of Obama in traditional Somali garb. Drudge reported that the photo was sent to him by Clinton operatives, who Obama’s camp accused of fear-mongering.
But these developments are just the tip of the iceberg. A couple of months ago YouTube partnered with CNN for a televised debate…the highlight of which was a question about global warming asked by a snowman! Someone uploaded a parody spot for Obama featuring Senator Hillary Clinton as Big Bro in the classic 1984 spot for Macintosh. And don’t forget Senator John Edwards feeling pretty. Before that was Obama Girl, who is now trying to cash in on her 15 minutes of fame with her own blog. And before her there was Senator George Allen’s “macaca” moment, Dan Rather’s “memogate,” Senator Foley’s sexually explicit emails to pages, Howard Dean’s scream, and the Lewinski affair brought to light by the Drudge Report. New media and politics…its a powerful, and potentially dangerous, combination!
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13 comments:
I totally agree with this blog and the contents of it. The new technologies and mass media of today is very helpful, yet could be a buzz-kill on a campaign for a person that is running trying to impress the voter.
In a way i feel for the campaigns and the people in them. Humans make mistakes, get tired, do things considered to be immoral, get annoyed, etc..
In a way i feel it is unfair for anyone to defame someone, but that is the consequence of a "POPULARITY RACE".
I believe that America needs to fix the problems between the Democrats and the Republicans and work together as one and many more problems could be resolved.
With new media and technologies that power them, a person would have to be perfect to have nothing bad or defaming about them put up. Also, even things as simple as the yell by Dean, can be changed to make a person look bad. I hate to be the "bad guy" but political races to me bring me back to high school student council races. LOL
On the other hand, it could be used as a tool. These candidates are using the internet, but i believe they could make it much more benificial for them in the future. You tube and other social sites will latch on to this, hopefully will also help to get younger people to vote.
FRED CARLEY
MCCNM 101
I think using YouTube to get young voters involved is a great idea. YouTube publicity and campaign does appeal to the younger more tech-savvy voter, who would rather watch a video than read and article. YouTube comment section allows the view to generate a reply and feel like they are more a part of the events then a bystander.
Using YouTube to me looks like the most active thing the candidates have done to engage younger voters. Visiting schools and having students ask the candidates questions don’t represent the majority of students and for that the general populous. When the 2004 was in town my high school only allowed a small number of students, who were in good standing with the school, to ask questions and those questions had to be reviewed by the faculty. Using YouTube allows for anyone to post a comment, they can be deleted but it still was posted and people still had a chance to read it.
Brad Irving
MCCNM 101
In a trendy, fast paced, multi-media society, any individual or cause has to keep up to survive. Politicians are constantly pushing their agendas and battles into mainstream media. Just like radio and television before it, the internet is connecting people and spreading information faster than any media format before it. There are a couple issues that come to mind when I see Clinton, Obama or McCain on Myspace, YouTube or Yahoo!
My dislike of politics, and especially politicians, bleeds through in everything I write, read and say. Who are these wretched people to tell I should pay more taxes while they squander my tax money and accept millions of dollars from lobbyists and “interested parties.” Political elections aren’t “popularity contests.” People either vote for their chosen political party nominee or for the politician whom they believe will do the least harm in office.
One more complaint before I end this tangent. When was the last time you or anyone you know read the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights or the Federalist Papers? Children in school are no longer required to read these historic documents and textbooks throughout the country focus on what the government wants its citizens to know rather than the truth. “The right to bear arms” was put in the constitution for one reason, REVOLUTION!
Now I feel like a politician, making every discussion revolve around my own issues.
[New media and politics…its a powerful, and potentially dangerous, combination!]
I couldn’t agree more. Information may be more accessible, but the public can be just as isolated on the internet as they can be in a grass hut under five feet of snow. As media users, we pick and choose our news based on politics, access, and how we’ve always done things. Republicans are much more likely to read “pro-Republican” news than “pro-Democrat.” Conservative websites attract conservative people. Millions of examples could be used here so we’ll move on.
I am very happy to be going into a recession. Another year and it will be a great time to buy a house. The government will tinker with economics for a while trying to fix our slowing economy, but I would take three to one odds that it won’t work. Recession pushes employees to save money and pay off debt. Internet adds and articles coaxing people to buy houses and refinance with lower percentage rates are everywhere. Who keeps cutting the interest rate? The Fed. What organization is putting together economic stimulus packages? The government.
Too bad Oprah isn’t running for president. If she got elected it would be the first presidency in sixty years to do something good for the American people.
I think that you tube is doing a great thing by getting young people involved in politics. even though some of the content and parodys are a little... outrageous. sometimes its easier to understand politics if it is presented with humor. art imitating life..imitating art..and so on.
Youtube is popular with young adults, and fora lot of us (me) this is our first election that we can vote it! i was 15 during the last presidential election, and i wasnt much of an internet blogger. But now through myspace facebook and you tube, it seems like if your not involved in some way with a political party- your not in-
The effect that new media has on politics has become very apparent in recent months. The sad part, in my opinion, about the effect that new media plays in politics is how it often diverts attention from significant national issues to trivial and personal information that usually has no impact on society. You certainly have to take the good with the bad when it comes to new media. It’s hard to deny that new media will open politics to younger citizens (as was seen with the YouTube debate). Hopefully new media can use its exposure to focus on important political issues rather than the sexual transgressions of our politicians.
-Ryan McCardell (MCCNM 101 Ebersole Tues.-Thurs. 9:30)
I've always been quick to comment on the evils of certain technological advances, but if technology is responsible for the involvement of youth in politics, then bravo, Internet. It's so refreshing to see young people interested in things that truly do have an adverse affect on them, and not only interested, but engaged.
I can see the danger such tangible accessibility the internet and other technological outlets can provide, however. Slanderous propoghanda spread in the name of one public official against another is obviously the greatest danger, and can easily sabotage such public figures' reputations, campaigns, etc. However, it's worth risking such danger if it means the engagement of young people in politics, and particularly the 2008 presidential election. I like to believe that people are capable of developing their own opinions based on other factors besides petty Internet slander, despite their ability to sway.
-Danielle Pollack
Mass Communications 101
The technology that is used today to relate news may be off its rocker. Most tech just likes to bash anybody that has a chance to shine in the spotlight. How much info about the political candidates is true on the internet and other tech mediums? The only information I trust on anybody in the media is the news on television because it is easier for me to tell whether or not people are lying and making stuff up by the tone of voice and the way the words are spoken. I do not follow too much on political campaigns, but from what I have seen and heard of so far, I think that Obama and McCain are definitely on the top of the list. I believe that the technology relays plenty of information on the campaign, but I just get tired of hearing about all the bad things the candidates have said or done. Hilary Clinton is only bashed because she is a woman and I think that gender is the hardest barrier to overcome and the technology that portrays Hilary does not make her look any better for a presidential campaign.
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Jessica Brown
New Media is great. It’s hard to knock on it, unless you’re a part of, or in love with the “old media”. Websites like YouTube give people their first amendment rights back. It’s not that it was ever gone, but it wasn’t represented well enough in everyday life.
We’ve always been able to voice our opinion, and whoever was listening, heard it. The listenership was very small, and we had no way of getting our opinion out. Unless you wrote for a media outlet, had your own website/blog or were an opinion leader in the free world, your thoughts went unheard.
Now with websites like YouTube that have public generated media our listenership has greatly expanded. All you need is access to a camera and a computer and you’re all set to try and spread your opinions to others’ minds.
Brandon Hopper
i think that using youtube to get young people involved in politics is a very good thing and idea, because youtube is a big deal for the younger generation. I would think that younger people would rather watch something on youtube and be able to comment on it, then having to read an article that probably wont be that interesting to the young generation. but youtube gives a chance to ask questions and feel like they are apart of things. Everyone just needs to work together and a lot of things can get fixed in the world.
I think You Tube is great also,but You Tube has been in the news a lot lately, with teen fighting and posting the bloody fight on the sites so millions of viewers can rate them. which isn't You Tubes fault but I think those thing should be band. this generation is amazing me along with our technology. they put new things out and us as people make it interesting for us to have. I am a You Tube fan completely though. I use You Tube as a way to view music videos, but lately I'm finding more and more to view on there. it truly amazes me
Politics will be politics, even if there bashing each other in a debate or on youtube this is only the beginning of the new media hype. I think its great personally for supporters of a specific party especially on youtube where you can voice your opinion and if your lucky it will be so catchy that millions of people will watch those videos. I do believe some dont deserve the spotlight but thats what makes are country so great, you know the freedom of speech thingy.
Brad L
With media today, exposure and knowledge of what is going on in the world is more possible for more people. with constant coverage of the political campaigns, a younger audience is targeted hopefully making them more involved in the future elections and more concerned with who is to run the country. Although, the technology capabilities has so many crazed; like kids in a candy store, that unnecessary coverage is being shown all over television and the internet, such as Obama is regular clothes, or even bill clinton hugging monica during the hole scandal. Who cares? If people could do away with showing footage just because they have the capability of getting it, and focus more on who is planning what for the war, the economy, and the social issues we are struggling with in our county right now than we might be a little better off.
You Tube has a great concept of appealing to the young voters through an interactive medium. The only problem i find with it is that young voters opinions can be shaped quickly. What really gets me is the will i am thing. Someone who is a fan of him may take his views as their own without really knowing what other candidates believe. But overall, it's good to see young voters so interested in an election.
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