House Republicans Launch BlackBerry App
The free application WhipCast, available today, provides instantaneous alerts, audio updates, video features and messages to users. Those interested in following the latest hot topic in Washington -- say, health care -- can access party talking points, polling information and policy discussions with the application. It also gives updates of the House floor schedule.
Launched by GOP Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia and Deputy Whip Kevin McCarthy of California, the application is part of the GOP's attempt at better utilizing social media and technology, tools the Democrats proved to use more skillfully in the 2008 presidential election.
"Today's worldwide launch of the WhipCast BlackBerry app is the latest demonstration of our commitment to modernize the way we communicate with Americans from coast-to-coast," Cantor said in a statement. "The WhipCast enables the Whip Team to communicate with the public in a faster, smarter, and more effective way."
GOP representatives currently use the tool to organize their floor efforts and stay informed when traveling, McCarthy told Politico.
"Technology has changed every part of our lives, but it really hasn't changed government that much," he said. "That's where we have to improve, so we created this to make the members more efficient. People can get called out of committee, and they'll know what's going on on the floor, so they have a better ability to make their case or their argument."