By Christopher Dickey, Newsweek Web Exclusive, 11/25/08
The Obama campaign developed powerful Web tools that might shape government but are more likely to build opposition movements, revolutions and possibly terrorist cells. Little revolts already have taken place inside Barack Obama's global revolution. So much faith, so much hope, so much money was poured into his campaign by so very many people that probably this was inevitable. All over the world the public feels like it’s got a piece of him. And among the hundreds of millions of Obama lovers who saw in the softly smiling candidate whatever they wanted or needed to see, a great many must eventually feel scorned by a hard president taking on a very tough agenda.
Read Article @ Newsweek.com
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Newsweek makes one point and misses the larger one. The underlying truth is the tech just facilitates the social network put top task by the "movement." The network tacitly agrees to support a good cause, whether BO's election, or Weight Watchers. The group polices itself, members are asked to step on the scale regularly, except the measurement scale might be contacts made or money raised rather than avoirdupois. Failure is "shameful", but the group is sympathetic and supportive - and you'll do better and try harder - won't you?
This is what the techies and poli sci geeks are missing. Newsweek says "Binyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu of the right-wing Likud Party has emulated the Obama site almost byte for byte in his bid to regain power." So what? Has he replicated the social networks? I'll bet not, and it's not just cool graphics, interactivity and Twitter tweets.
Showing posts with label GOP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GOP. Show all posts
Sunday, January 4, 2009
BiasedGirl Sees the Light...
BiasedGirl's web blog gives a good account of the power within "social networking."
"As a Conservative, I survived 'Obama-Mania', by friends, colleagues and the Obama Loving Media (OLM). The onslaught of Obamism taught me a bit about others and myself. Turns out even if 'Everyone else is doing it'...If I disagree with it, I'm Out. Good to know. I never felt like much of a Sheep, but somehow now I feel like I have proof. I learned a little about my friends, and how even though they don't 'follow' politics, their ears perked up this time around on Both sides of the political spectrum."
Visit WithBias.net
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Even a cursory understanding of group dynamics is sufficient to understand what is at work here - the group membership, peer pressure, constant reassurance, the associated rewards and penalties. Now, you may recoil at all this - but know this, it is how the world works. Politics runs on money, organization and volunteer manpower. The Obama campaign hit the trifecta in ways conservatives could not fathom.
"As a Conservative, I survived 'Obama-Mania', by friends, colleagues and the Obama Loving Media (OLM). The onslaught of Obamism taught me a bit about others and myself. Turns out even if 'Everyone else is doing it'...If I disagree with it, I'm Out. Good to know. I never felt like much of a Sheep, but somehow now I feel like I have proof. I learned a little about my friends, and how even though they don't 'follow' politics, their ears perked up this time around on Both sides of the political spectrum."
Visit WithBias.net
_____________________________________
Even a cursory understanding of group dynamics is sufficient to understand what is at work here - the group membership, peer pressure, constant reassurance, the associated rewards and penalties. Now, you may recoil at all this - but know this, it is how the world works. Politics runs on money, organization and volunteer manpower. The Obama campaign hit the trifecta in ways conservatives could not fathom.
Now Hear This...
From "Rebuild the Party" www.rebuildtheparty.com
The time is now to set in motion the changes needed to rebuild our party from the grassroots up, modernize the way we run campaigns, and attract different, energetic, and younger candidates at all levels. We must be conservative in philosophy -- but bold in our approach. We don't need a slight tweak here or there. We need transformation. We can't keep fighting a 21st century war with 20th century weapons.
I'm ready to start play the new game and hope you are, too. We can scree on blogs, preaching to the assembled choir. Or, we can form ourselves into a social network to discuss HOW to defeat the Liberal, and take community action. Please read my post below, "It's all in your imagination-Campaign '10 and beyond." We've got to get moving, or we can blog until the chickens come home to roost.
The time is now to set in motion the changes needed to rebuild our party from the grassroots up, modernize the way we run campaigns, and attract different, energetic, and younger candidates at all levels. We must be conservative in philosophy -- but bold in our approach. We don't need a slight tweak here or there. We need transformation. We can't keep fighting a 21st century war with 20th century weapons.
I'm ready to start play the new game and hope you are, too. We can scree on blogs, preaching to the assembled choir. Or, we can form ourselves into a social network to discuss HOW to defeat the Liberal, and take community action. Please read my post below, "It's all in your imagination-Campaign '10 and beyond." We've got to get moving, or we can blog until the chickens come home to roost.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Mindy Finn on CSPAN
If you need a primer on what tech work needs to be done by GOP, here is a link to the CSPAN Mindy Finn interview in which she discusses the balance between tech and touch. Ms Finn, who writes for Next Right.com, talked about the future of the Republican party in Congress and the White House in 2012.
Click to See Mindy Finn on CSPAN
Click to See Mindy Finn on CSPAN
Friday, January 2, 2009
RTP: The Co-Dependence of Ideology and Infrastructure
By Mindy Finn, RebuildtheParty.com 01/02/09
"What's needed right now is less tactical refinement, and more conversation about the agenda tactics are supposed to serve." -- Julian Sanchez, ArsTechnica.com
Exactly. As one of the co-founders of Rebuild the Party, I couldn't agree more. If you cruise around RebuildtheParty.com's action network, you will see just that -- conversation about rebooting the Republican agenda -- is taking place. The 10-point action plan, which focuses on tactics, was the hook that brought grassroots activists to the site. Once there, they began to organize and engage in debates over the future of the party's agenda. RebuildtheParty.com is one place that has provided an open forum for such discussion.
http://rebuildtheparty.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-codependence-of-ideology
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Saw Mindy on CSPAN over weekend. IMO she's bright and has a vision worth pursuing. Imagine encouraging grassroots Republicans...what an "INSANE" idea!!! You go, young lady!!!
"What's needed right now is less tactical refinement, and more conversation about the agenda tactics are supposed to serve." -- Julian Sanchez, ArsTechnica.com
Exactly. As one of the co-founders of Rebuild the Party, I couldn't agree more. If you cruise around RebuildtheParty.com's action network, you will see just that -- conversation about rebooting the Republican agenda -- is taking place. The 10-point action plan, which focuses on tactics, was the hook that brought grassroots activists to the site. Once there, they began to organize and engage in debates over the future of the party's agenda. RebuildtheParty.com is one place that has provided an open forum for such discussion.
http://rebuildtheparty.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-codependence-of-ideology
________________
Saw Mindy on CSPAN over weekend. IMO she's bright and has a vision worth pursuing. Imagine encouraging grassroots Republicans...what an "INSANE" idea!!! You go, young lady!!!
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