CHICAGO, Nov. 10, 2008
Obama Set To Be 1st "Wired" President
Washington Post: Campaign Expected To Use Internet For Unprecedented Communications Outreach, Circumventing Mainstream Media
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A High Tech White House
President-Elect Obama says he will embrace new technology in his administration and plans to appoint a Chief Technology Officer. Daniel Sieberg reports.
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Obama's Inner Circle
Steve Kroft goes behind the scenes on election night to speak to the brains whose strategy propelled Barack Obama into the White House.
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The Long Road To January 20th
President-elect Obama will travel to Washington on Monday as the soon-to-be Commander-In-Chief, but until January 20th, he's still one voice in the Senate among 49 others. Cynthia Bowers reports.
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Accepting The Mantle
President-elect Barack Obama addresses the nation and the world after his victory.
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Armed with millions of e-mail addresses and a political operation that harnessed the Internet like no campaign before it, Barack Obama will enter the White House with the opportunity to create the first truly "wired" presidency.
Obama aides and allies are preparing a major expansion of the White House communications operation, enabling them to reach out directly to the supporters they have collected over 21 months without having to go through the mainstream media.
Just as John F. Kennedy mastered television as a medium for taking his message to the public, Obama is poised to transform the art of political communication once again, said Joe Trippi, a Democratic strategist who first helped integrate the Internet into campaigning four years ago.
"He's going to be the first president to be connected in this way, directly, with millions of Americans," Trippi said.
The nucleus of that effort is an e-mail database of more than 10 million supporters. The list is considered so valuable that the Obama camp briefly offered it as collateral during a cash-flow crunch late in the campaign, though it wound up never needing the loan, senior aides said. At least 3.1 million people on the list donated money to Obama.
Millions more made up the volunteer corps that organized his enormous rallies, registered millions of voters and held countless gatherings to plug the senator to friends and neighbors. On Election Day, they served as the backbone of Obama's get-out-the-vote operation, reaching voters by phone and at the front door, serving coffee at polling stations and babysitting so parents could stand in line at voting precincts.
After Obama declared victory, his campaign sent a text message announcing that his supporters hadn't heard the last from the president-elect. Obama conveyed a similar message to his staff in a campaignwide conference call Wednesday, signaling that his election was the beginning, and not the culmination, of a political movement.
Accordingly, the president-elect's http://www.change.gov transition Web site features a blog and a suggestion form, signaling the kinds of direct and instantaneous interaction that the Obama administration will encourage, perhaps with an eye toward turning its following into the biggest special-interest group in Washington.
Once Obama is sworn in, those backers may be summoned to push reluctant members of Congress to support legislation, to offer feedback on initiatives and to enlist in administration-supported causes in local communities. Obama would also be positioned to ask his supporters to back his favored candidates with fundraising and turnout support in the 2010 midterm elections.
"There's this network of people now," said Martha Page, a neighborhood leader in Warren County, outside Cincinnati, where Obama managed to reduce a traditionally large Republican vote margin. Page received six calls Wednesday from volunteers looking for new assignments. "It's a sea change," she said.
People in technology circles have been musing for months about how Obama would use his list, said Peter Daou, who oversaw Internet operations for the Senate campaign of Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.). "Once you have people connected through a network, you can't disconnect. It's like unbreaking an egg. People all across the country have formed these groups to support Obama. They've worked together for a successful purpose," Daou said. "You don't let go of that easily."
But Daou noted that the initiative could have a downside. Obama faced an intense backlash when he broke from the left on the issue of immunity for telecommunications companies that took part in the warrantless wiretapping program. "People who have helped you reach this historic goal by self-organizing can also organize in opposition to your policies," he said.
As part of the presidential transition, Obama officials are looking to add a significant "new media" component to the White House communications operation. The campaign employed 95 people in its Internet operation, building a user-friendly Web site that served as a platform for grass-roots activities and distributed statements, policy positions and footage of Obama events. The White House Web operation will follow a similar but probably more ambitious path, transition officials said.
The process is just beginning, and many questions remain unanswered. The simplest approach might be to convert the campaign organization into an incarnation aimed at 2012 and an anticipated run for reelection, but some inside the Obama team are concerned about appearing too overtly political. Another course could be to create a nonprofit organization. Obama officials said all options would be examined over the coming weeks.
Over the course of the campaign, Obama's e-mail list gathered not only names and contact information, but also details about issues important to those supporters.
In past years, such lists were considered useful tools for political campaigns but not particularly helpful for governing. But Peter Greenberger, manager of political advertising for Google, said such information could be a boon for Obama in building public support for policy proposals.
The White House could "geo-target" ads so they appear online in congressional districts where members remain undecided. Obama could use Internet ads to solicit signatures for petitions, or he could place display and video ads contextually -- so they would appear on the screen next to news coverage of his proposals.
"If there's an article in the New York Times or The Washington Post about health-care legislation," Greenberger said, "the administration or a pro-Obama advocacy organization could run an ad right alongside it."
Republicans have also seen the potential value in organizing online. In recent days, a small group of prominent young Republicans launched a Web site, http://www.rebuildtheparty.com, calling on their party's next chairman to use the Internet to organize and galvanize their grass roots.
"Online organizing is by far the most efficient way to transform our party structures to be able to compete against what is likely to be a $1 billion Obama re-election campaign in 2012," the Web site says.
By Shailagh Murray and Matthew Mosk
© 2008 The Washington Post Company
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See all 172 CommentsI recently saw a show on JFK. Did you know that he was injecting speed regularly and on a daily basis while in office? It was his brother Bobby who had it analyzed. He was also taking daily localized injections for his low back pain. All this while trying to avoid the Cuban Missle Crisis.
internet as a tool for upcoming elections.
What will happen to all of the local
"Nobama"-Screechers now that Republican
stupidity will be nationally
institutionalized?
If you put as much effort into help the US instead of trying to show us how the GOP mud slings do you realize what a great country we would have.
No thank you for you comments we really don''t care.
By the way when they talk about collateral it is showing proff that you can pay a debt in this case. Nothing more but hey why let facts get in the way.
All I have to say is "It''s About Time !!!!!"
The president should be able to circumvent the media which has it''s own agendas. It should be a requirement for the president to know how most people communicate and to know what the internet is. We have never had a president like that.
For voters, free access to opinion and fact promotes critical thinking and responsible democratic process.
For opinion leaders and public relations websites, free access to voters means every voice in a democracy has equal access (in theory, at least) with voters.
Yet, it also opens a Pandora''s Box of responsibility. Web users must be willing (and educated enough) to discern "gut churning", reactive, misleading opinion from accurate, informed opinion.
The facts are always key, and for this reason, sites like www.snopes.com-- devoted to debunking urban legends-- are vital. They put spinmeisters out of business, quickly.
A direct internet connection benefits the MSM, as well. When any media outlet (Faux News, for example) is co-opted by a political party, synchronizing its messages almost verbatim, there must be be countervailing opinion freely available.
(Accuracy in Media) www.aim.org
(Media Matters) www.mediamatters.org
(urban legends) www.snopes.com
After 8 years of watching a mentalily challenged president destroy this country, it will be nice watching someone who actually has the intelligence needed to do the job.
it wasn;''t congress that constantly vetoed everything they offered up... it was "the decider" LMAO look at us now !!!
Posted by ddaryl1
LOL ! That was my point, Bush had never been on the internet in his life. At least 100 million people use it constantly, at home, or at their job. (in this country)
No thank you for you comments we really don''''t care.
By the way when they talk about collateral it is showing proff that you can pay a debt in this case. Nothing more but hey why let facts get in the way.
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Posted by antoniof123
RECOMMEND that you take your own advice when discussing issues like Iraq and the safety of our own Sons and Daughters. Just imagine what a great country we would have if people like yourself heeded your own advice.
Posted by pelosilover at 11:31 AM : Nov 10, 2008
The problem is that Bush, instead of clearly plainly declaring the people we have captured are POW''s and are covered under the Geneva rules, which allow for keeping them locked up forever as long are they are not mistreated and the war action is going on. Instead dummy starts treating some like criminals, some like POW''s, some what they called "enemy combatants", in addition they treated the American citizens differently. In a time of war a person of American citizenship should be tried for treason and if convicted executed. Instead of letting the military command be in charge on captured combatant enemies and handle them as POW''s he got his politicians involved who don''t even know what the Geneva rules are.
Again nothing like a bunch of politicians to ****** a good war!!!
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Posted by pelosilover at 11:31 AM : Nov 10, 2008
Yes, everyone should be entitled to "Due Process" in this country, even these prisoners, many of who were captured, thrown into cells & not allowed to speak to any legal council. THANK YOU President-elect Obama for upholding our rights in this wonderful country of ours!
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Which media? The Faux News Network "stupid"? (Gasp. Perhaps in that case, you have a point.)
And yes, Bush was "wired", too-- but not in the sense of a two-way information exchange. Bush was wired to fill a deficit.
In fact, Bush himself bragged to Charles Gibson about his "sound system" during debates in 2004 with Kerry. (Gibson, himself, backed away from that Bush remark so rapidly, it was clear Gibson was not after anything but a "safe and sane" pro-forma exposure for POTUS-- nothing which would put him in trouble with his employer.)
The strange hump on Bush''s back was interpreted by friends as evidence of his heavy executive burdens, and by enemies that Bush had endured a brain transplant.
(2004 presidential debate, as it might have been)
Kerry-- "Fiscal policy demands responsible taxation. Not tax gifts to selected groups for political advantage..."
Bush-- (listening for cues from the audio prompter in his earbuds) "On January 4, 1998, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced budgetary reform measure Q41904, providing for review of all budget measures passed since Clinton entered office. This review found 1,873 instances of favored groups, 4,094 cases of non-favored groups, and ..."
Kerry-- Can you repeat that, Mr. Bush?
Bush-- Uhhhhh....
The problem with Bush and the Republicans in general is they think that rules and laws are burdens that they should not have to suffer from.
They are there for a reason...as the status of the "enemy combatants", the state of the economy, and the damage Bush has done to America''s perception of the trustworthiness of its own government makes obvious.
Posted by pelosilover at 11:31 AM : Nov 10, 2008
Not according to the Supreme Court. These enemy combatants have the same rights as you and me. Scary, eh. I wonder what rights we would have if caught in their country? A choice between a dull or sharp knife to cut off our heads?
Posted by deathofUSA at 11:59 AM : Nov 10, 2008
lollll...like screaming neocons like you are ever going to get within 5,000 miles of a front in one of your wars...
lolllllllllllllll.....
Ed, we arent afraid. Sorry.
lolllllllllllllll.....
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Posted by ibsteve2u at 12:01 PM : Nov 10, 2008
Yeah, since they are all coming over here to cut our heads off when we don''t bow down to Allah. Get ready
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Posted by POTUS_Obama at 12:04 PM : Nov 10, 2008
Maybe so but Obama, Ayers and Khalidi will make sure we are up to our ears in Muslims. Just like Europe and Denmark.
Posted by deathofUSA at 12:02 PM : Nov 10, 2008
Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?
Anybody with a brain knows that our presence in Iraq is not what keeps al-Qaeda out of America.
It is our entry security measures, such as they are.
They are still porous, of course, particularly along the southern border and in the ports.
Why? Because Bush is the greed of Big Business personified, and Big Business does not want anything to interfere with "the free flow of commerce", as they like to put it.
Posted by deathofUSA
Yea, right. I see you bought the Bushie kool-aid of constant, continuous fear. How, pray tell, do they intend to get here? On Saddam''s yacht? What a frickin'' Maroon you are!! If any did show up I''m certain that you big, strong, tough neoCONS will protect all of us soppy, weak-kneed libs. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,.......
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Posted by Edward1975 at 12:09 PM : Nov 10, 2008
They didn''t care what he was saying. As long as he was black and promising them the world.
Posted by pelosilover at 11:31 AM : Nov 10, 2008
Not according to the Supreme Court. These enemy combatants have the same rights as you and me. Scary, eh. I wonder what rights we would have if caught in their country? A choice between a dull or sharp knife to cut off our heads?
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Posted by deathofUSA at 11:59 AM : Nov 10, 2008
And who are you to be the decider that these people are not in fact inoccent. You''re exactly right, deathofUSA would you like to be executed in a country for a crime in which you were innocent? Have some compassion for humanity!!
Posted by yeswedid at 12:15 PM : Nov 10, 2008
Pointless. Offer him some money - that is the only language they speak.
Posted by yeswedid at 12:15 PM : Nov 10, 2008
And WHAT compasion did they have for OUR people in their country??? I know 2 wrongs don''t make a right, but listen to yourself!!!
Posted by yeswedid at 12:15 PM : Nov 10, 2008
Not that guy, deathofUSA has that stink of singinrick/rickmiessejr hypocrisy and phony faith.
He even badmouths the Supreme Court. He certainly sounds like an Inqusition nutcase.
Boring....outta here.
Sounds like you''re the moron with short memory. How did the guys that flew the plans into the towers get here? Do you realize how many of these maniacs we have here already. You are the idiot. And yeah, you are right. We have been safe for the last 7 years because of the safety measures that have currently been put in place and the Patriot Act which all you stupid democraps are dying to get rid of.
Posted by deathofUSA at 12:19 PM : Nov 10, 2008
There''s one hiding in your bushes, one standing across the street, three on the next corner, and, oh my, one is standing behind that door to your right...
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Posted by yeswedid at 12:15 PM : Nov 10, 2008
what compassion did they have for Daniel Pearl. He was there only to cover a story. Why did they have to decapitate him? Why? Ask yourselves that. You have it all upside down. American soliders bad/enemy combatants good. Wow. I never thought I would see the day.
Posted by jh6379again at 12
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I thought school was in session? Don''t you have somewhere else to be? Moron!!!
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Posted by deathofUSA at 12:22 PM : Nov 10, 2008
Ummm yeah, I do think that innocent men were detained & imprisoned. Just like how I know that innocent children are being killed in the Iraq war. Get a clue!
''NEW WORLD ORDER''
;)
We assert that Obama will be the first president that has shown the capability of governing in "the age of videography" [Miller Freeman publishing 1996]. . . In this world, 95% of all information is delivered via video monitors.
We wish him Godspeed.
Bob Kiger - Videography Lab - www.videographyblog.com
Posted by POTUS_Obama at 12:26 PM : Nov 10, 2008
No. What I am saying is that I trust our soldiers to be able to make a determination if someone should be detained. Not for a second do I believe that our soldiers would pick up innocent civilians.
And to think the MSM helped Obama gain the White House, only to be shut out. Now there''s justice for you!
Posted by deathofUSA at 12:19 PM : Nov 10, 2008
There''''s one hiding in your bushes, one standing across the street, three on the next corner, and, oh my, one is standing behind that door to your right...
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Posted by actornaught
Thanks for saying what I was thinking! It would make me laugh if it wasn''t so sad. One of my good friends married someone with the surname "Rashid"; she''s catholic and he''s Muslim. They were crazy McCain supporters. Yet I know nuts like ''deathtous'' would be first in line to tar them as terrorists based on their name alone. Makes no sense.
But of course. What is Obama going to do about it? Nothing. There will be Russian missles in Cuba before we know it. You will see. Freaken stupid stupid democraps.
"russion bloggers"? You get your "information" from russion bloggers?? The rest of your posts are equally loonie tunes. Funny stuff...
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Posted by BarbaraM99 at 12:37 PM : Nov 10, 2008
Thanks for this comment Barbara. I too, wish people would educate themselves on what actually is going on instead of what the Republicans have been trying to blind us by in the latest administration.
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