A Schwarzenegger Republican

2005-07-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

2005-07-22T14:01:00.000-07:00

Yeeeaaa!!

2005-07-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

Micropayments are Bad, Bad, Bad

2005-07-19T14:11:00.000-07:00

Re:Neilsen, Jakob, The Case for Micropayments. See also Readers' Comments on Micropayments. Sidebar to Jakob Neilsen's article on Micropayments. (January 25, 1998)

I completely disagree with the micropayments system. The internet should be free of cost at all times unless you are going to purchase an item or good. As Neilsen says, "The Web is a user-driven phenomenon, where people go online for a purpose. Quite often, that purpose will be to buy something, so there is a great future for commercial sites that sell or support products and services. Traditional products can be charged to credit cards, but many Internet services will require incremental payments rather than large one-time payments. "

Unless you are going online to purchase goods, you should not have to pay for viewing a web site. I can see how the Post Office is trying to tax emails because they are being financially hurt due to decreased mail flow. But too bad!! If we allow the internet and email to be taxed or charged for viewership then what next!!

The Memo

2005-07-16T20:29:00.000-07:00

My web site strategic memo is finally complete. I enjoyed writing the memo but I must admit it was harder then expected. Fitting all my ideas and everything I learned from this semester into five pages is near impossible. I learned that my candidates web site was not functional to the terms set out by this class. I hope that the candidate realizes his web site must be revamped before the Primary Election.

Basic functions are necessary to have a successful web site, such as secure financial contribution forms. These and other forms were missing in my candidates web site and it astonishes me that more care was not put into the development of such an important campaign tool. My only guess is that the campaign did not want to spend or did not have the funds to develop a proper web site.

Regardless, I learned a lot this semester but nothing more important then knowing that true realities and functions of new media, such as a well developed campaign web site.

China

2005-07-15T17:28:00.000-07:00

Re: http://www.emilienneireland.com/blackboard/sources/zittrain_04-14-05/ONI_China_Country_Study.pdf

After reading this study I am extremely glad to live in the United States. It is of no surprise that China would have a large government agency that monitors and dictates what can be posted on the internet. China censors content transmitted through multiple methods, including web pages, web logs, online discussion forums, university bulletin board systems and email messages. Access to information ranging from pornography to religion is prevented.

I hope that America never fosters the same regulations as China. I hope that America continues allowing freedom of speech via the internet and other forms of media. The internet is meant to allow people to reach others and share ideas. China's laws are breaking the initial idea and aspiration of the internet.

I learned from this study that the internet is not free to everyone and that we must fight for our continued right to a free internet world. Regulations are currently being pondered by politicians and we must not allow laws that will restrict our freedom of speech and expression!

Get Out and Vote

2005-07-13T08:24:00.000-07:00

Suppressing voter turn out or any other negative campaign tactic should be illegal. Whether the campaign activity performing such goals is developed through online, new media or direct mail, the principles are flawed. America is a democracy that should cradle the idea of "one voter - one person" and every politician and political manager should do their best to make sure citizens vote.

The above statement is what many people would like to see take place in America's political system. The fact is that politicians and political managers will never take the sole responsibility of making sure all citizens can vote due to dirty politics. We all know that each candidate in an election has a base of supporters and non-supporters. Why on God's green earth would a candidate want his non-supporters to vote for his opponent? Political managers are hired to win elections, not be the face of democracy. Yes, this may sound troubling but it is true. Both the Republican and Democratic parties are like corporations. It is the goal of each corporation to turn out their customers so they can rule the roost in Washington.

Unfortunately this corporation mentality has corrupted the true meaning of democracy in America. While every American has the right to vote, every candidate and political manager is hoping that they don't vote, pending their support. There is not much we can do to fix this problem, and according to our readings and class discussions the debate is even split on how much responsibility the voter has versus the government to regulate and stimulate voter outreach. GOTV the closest solution to beating voter suppression in America. Until the government develops some other regulations to make people vote or criminalize campaigns for suppressing voters (God forbid they do), the current system will continue today.

Disabilities and the Internet

2005-07-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

Re: Neilsen, Jakob, Beyond Accessibility: Treating Users with Disabilities as People. useit.com, November 11, 2001.

I found this study to be extremely interesting because I never really thought about how those with disabilities utilize the internet. As Neilsen points out, those with disabilities are less likely to have successful web site sessions. Those with disabilities have problems viewing web sites that do not cater to the blind or the death. Some web sites have disability software set up so those who are blind can hear a vocal review of the web site copy. However, many web sites do not cater to those disabled.

If I ran a corporate web site I would make sure to include software on my web site that would allow those with disabilities to view, listen and actively utilize the site. I don't think that the American Disabilities Act should apply to web sites at this point as the internet is still a highly unregulated sector, as it should remain. But I do think that smart corporate CEOs will see the value in making sure they reach every person in their main market audience.

Teens and the Internet

2005-07-07T16:16:00.000-07:00

Re: Neilsen, Jakob, Usability of Websites for Teenagers. useit.com, January 31, 2005.

The above reading reviewed studies conducted to evaluate how teens utilize the internet. The studies found that teens like easy to use, good looking, fast paced web sites. Teens who visit web sites prefer to see cool visuals rather than a lot of text. Teens use the web site for a large array of tasks, such as homework, e-commerce or just to surf the web. Regardless, the studies conclude that teens lose patience easily and demand user friendly web sites.

I found the studies to be interesting because it concurs with my initial thoughts on how and why teens go online. If you look at a lot of the teen web sites they are flashy, easy to navigate and contain a lot of eye catching graphics. Just like producing a TV commercial with teens being the main audience, a web site has to catch and maintain the attention of teens who are already use to the fast paced technological lifestyle they have ground up around.

Garnering teen participation in a web site is a true test for many political web sites that are trying to gain more teen or young adult influence at the polls.

Food Before Computers

2005-07-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

Re:The Real Digital Divide. The Economist, March 10, 2005.

This article is a great read because it goes into details about the real digital divide. As described by the article, the digital divide is not a problem in itself, but a symptom of deeper, more important divides: of income, development and literacy. Third world countries have a tougher time getting access to the internet because people are poorer, illiterate or are more concerned with other issues such as finding food, health care or security. Developed countries have the resources available to offer access to the internet and technologies.

What I really liked about this article was how it described the deeper problem of the digital divide. The deeper problem is the necessity for basic needs, such as food or electricity. If people don't have the basic needs for life, such as food, then why would they need or want a computer. Having a computer wont help someone feed their hunger.

The greater digital divide must first be dealt with by giving the essentials of life to people before worrying about computers.

Intranets Cut Red Tape

2005-07-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

Re: Neilsen, Jakob, Ten Best Government Intranets. useit.com, June 21, 2004.

Intranets play a crucial role in the marketing and feasibility of private companies. When I worked for Porter Novelli, a world-wide public relations firm, I used the company's intranet to complete a large amount of internal tasks. The intranet proved to be an efficient way to quickly access information that is available twenty-four hours a day.

It is refreshing to see the government utilize intranets much like the private sector. As Neilsen noted private industries use intranets to meet and exceed profit margins. The government utilizes intranets to meet and exceed project deadlines. As we all know and have experienced once in our life, the government can act very slowly. So I applaud any attempt to speed up the red tape bureaucracy.

Bridging the Gap

2005-07-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Re: Johnson, Dennis, Congress Online: Bridging the Gap Between Citizens and Their Representatives. 2004.

Johnson's book explains the bridging gap between citizens and their representatives in Congress. It is safe to determine from the reading that a digital divide exists amongst the members of Congress and their citizens. Realizing that fact can then lead us to the correct hypothesis that a large gap does exist with the communications technologies being utilized by citizens and their members of Congress.

I agree with Johnson that the gap must be resolved. Members of Congress must have the education, technology and enthusiasm to accept electronic forms of communication from their constituents. Although thousands of emails may pour into a representatives emails in-box, it is the responsibility of that representatives office to read and respond to each email.

The technology is now available for every American to contact their representatives from thousands of miles away. It is therefore important for Americans to utilize such electronic communication devices to speak their opinion on issues. Representatives now have the responsibility to respond to their constituents no matter what form of communication the constituent communicates with.

Congress Should Not Blog

2005-07-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

Re: http://www.personaldemocracy.com/node/403

I found this article by Molly Chapman Norton extremely interesting because it describes why members of Congress have yet to fully enter the blog world. While many members of Congress take advantage of blogs in campaign season, once in office the members fear a lack of control of message development. Blog are designed to allow direct feedback from the public and the thought of having a key message torn apart on an issue on a blog is a communications manager's nightmare, along with the member.

I fully agree that the reason members of Congress have not and will not fully enter into the blog world is because that can't control or spin the messages. It is the goal of the communications director, or press secretary, to manage spin on issues. Blogs do not allow spin. If a member of Congress wishes to enter the blog world, I would suggest simply offering a public discussion board on their web site and not reply to the comments. Offer the discussion board as a forum to let people vent or communicate to the member but make sure they know that the member will not being participating on the forum.

Blogs for elected officials are risky. If I was a staff member for a member of Congress I would not recommend a blog for their web site.

Half of Reporters Use Blogs

2005-07-01T07:51:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post this interesting article:

SURVEY: HALF OF REPORTERS USE BLOGS.Jack O'Dwyer's Newsletter
Internet Edition
June 29, 2005
Page 3
By Jerry Walker

The findings of a media study conducted by Euro RSCG and Columbia University found blogs have become a large part of how journalists do their jobs.The study of 1,202 journalists found 51% of them use blogs regularly, and 28% rely on them to help in their day-to-day reporting duties.The survey found journalists mostly used blogs for finding story ideas (53%), researching and referencing facts (43%) and finding sources (36%). And 33% said they used blogs to uncover breaking news or scandals."

The fact that the media are using blogs for reporting and research...demonstrates that blogs have an enormous potential to not only influence the general public, but to influence the influencers - journalists and the media - as well," said Aaron Kwittken, CEO of Euro RSCG Magnet.Despite their reliance on blogs for reporting, only 1% of journalists found blogs credible, the study found.Aker: Website = CredibilityA website is one of the most important tools an organization can use to become a "reliable, credible and timely news source," according to The Aker Ptrs., a Washington, D.C.-based PR firm.The firm, which said one-third of reporters go to Google to find a website, advises companies to communicate up-to date messages and accomplishments on their websites because reporters are always looking for what's new.

Federal Regulations and the Internet

2005-06-30T06:25:00.000-07:00

Re: Bloggers seeking protection from federal regulators, USA Today, June 30, 2005
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2005-06-28-bloggers_x.htm

According to the above article, the Federal Election Commission met last Tuesday to discuss a proposal that would have extended some campaign finance rules to the Internet, including bloggers. Federal election officials until now have steered clear of Internet oversight, siding with bloggers and other online activists who portray the Web as a laboratory of grass-roots political participation and an outlet for free speech that should develop unhampered by the government.
But online political activity has become increasingly more sophisticated since the FEC last examined it a few elections ago. Acknowledging the Internet's growth, a federal judge last year ordered the FEC to extend some of the nation's campaign finance and spending limits to political activity on the Web. Bloggers fear that will mean new, unique limits on their activities, even though several of the commission's six members have indicated they have no desire to go beyond what the judge has ordered them to do.

Even though a majority of Commission members feel that regulations should not be placed on blogging and other internet activities, the hearing indicates just the beginning of a long debate. I am glad the blogging community has organized into a coalition opposing such regulations. Blogging must maintain its independence in order to remain successful. I hope that the blogging community starts a viral marketing campaign to alarm other bloggers about the FEC hearing and possible future debates. The blogging community could really come together on this issue and make a difference.

Hold My Hand

2005-06-29T08:27:00.000-07:00

Re:Tumulty, Karen, et al., Fighting for every last vote: In such a tight race, the game is about turning out your supporters. CNN.com, 10/11/2004

We all know Ohio was the battleground state in 2004. But this article goes into great details on how each party ran their campaign and managed their grassroots outreach. Both sides said that the campaign was going to be won or lots in the battles that are raging block to block and house to house. Old campaign weapons such as yard signs and bumper stickers were being utilized to their fullest and new weapons such as data mining and microtargeting proved efficient to target messages. On Election Day each party loaded their voters into vans and drove them to the polls. I am sure each party also educated those being transported to the polls on how to vote and which line to stand in.

This hand holding approach by the parties to the voters is crucial and necessary. It is unfortunate that such activities do not take place in non-battle ground states. But voters must still take the responsibility to learn how to vote.

A Voter's Responsibility

2005-06-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

Following up on our heated class discussion regarding the current voting system - I honestly believe that the system needs to be reviewed in order to meet the growing demand for voting machines. As our population continues to grow, more machines need to be delivered to meet the growing demand; however, voters still need to take responsibility of finding out how to vote.

The film that we watched tonight showed several angry would-be voters. These would-be voters were upset because they were unable to vote due to a variety of self-inflicted reasons, such as: "I asked someone to save my spot in line and left the building and the polling officials wouldn't let me back in because it was after 7:30." Well, duh, who is to say how many people would use that excuse as a reason to go inside to vote after the time deadline? Another reason was due to someone being in the wrong line. I don't care how un-organized the polling location was that person could have still asked anyone else in that line what district they were in. There is no excuse for voters not to be educated on where and when they need to vote.

Saying that, people should not trust anyone or anything other then non-partisan political educational groups, such as the League of Women Voters. This organization has helped educate voters about the election cycle. However, as I have discovered, many community members do not utilize their free services. Shame on them and shame on them for not being informed voters. Men and women have died for our freedom to vote - the least people can do in return is spend a half hour reading about how to vote in their district.

Internet Transforms Modern Life

2005-06-27T06:52:00.000-07:00

Re: The Internet transforms modern life, By Steve AlmasyCNN http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/internet/06/23/evolution.main/index.html

I wanted to post the above article because it illustrates how far the internet has come over the past ten years. According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, less than one in five Americans were online in 1995. Today, the majority of Americans are surfing the Web, exchanging e-mail, reading bank statements and ball scores, checking the weather. Today, Pew says, two out of every three Americans spend time online.

The article goes into great detail about the history of the internet and compares what was with what is - such as the use of blogging, growing internet companies and talks about the internet generation. It is amazing to see just how fast and powerful the internet world has become. It is my belief that the internet will only continue to grow in numbers and power, evolving into a new form of life that will one day dictate how and what we do.

After reading the article, I was most amazed with the in-depth reporting on the internet generation. The Web is changing the way people communicate and teenagers who grew up with the internet are communicating by instant messages. This has greatly changed the forms and methods of communication.

Corporate Style Campaigning

2005-06-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

Re: Bai, Matt, The Multilevel Marketing of the President. The New York Times Magazine (4/25/2004)

I wanted to post on the above article because it reminded me of a corporate business model. After analyzing the method of grassroots building the Bush Administration developed, I found that it closely followed the advertisement models of corporations. Bringing corporate style models into campaigns is very smart. If models work for a corporation, why not for a campaign? After all, a campaign is selling a good just like a corporation.

The grassroots model utilized by the Bush Administration helped lead to his victory. It is obvious that by organizing a campaign like a corporation it becomes more organized and efficient. The Kerry campaign seemed to lag in this area. The Kerry campaign did not have an organized corporate style campaign.

I would imagine that this new corporate style campaigning will only increase. If running a corporate style grassroots campaign will help a candidate win, then both sides of the aisle will utilize this tool.

The Pyramid

2005-06-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

Re: Bai, Matt, The Multilevel Marketing of the President. The New York Times Magazine (4/25/2004)

The Republicans finally used more grassroots actions in the 2004 elections. What is called a pyramid multi-marketing model, or viral marketing, has proven very successful. Every Bush supporter had to recruit 5 volunteers. This is a visionary philosophy because it spreads messages by word of mouth, door-to-door. Republicans made a good move to start this viral marketing because Democrats already have that citizen participation by its support from labor groups and the like.

As stated in the interview, this viral marketing may have elected Bush. Instead of profit, emails, names, voter preference are sent to the national campaign headquarters to garner massive supporter lists. The revolutionary ground level grassroots campaign was described in the interview and it worked. This multi-level marketing of the president looks to become a major, new staple for the Republican Party. It worked for Bush - it may also work for whomever in 2008.

I really like this viral marketing tool. I do believe all politics is local. It makes sense for campaigns to move to the local levels to gain support. The pyramid operation is perfect for creating phone trees, email networks, names, etc. This is a smart and cheap method to coordinating volunteers!

"You're Fired! - NOT!"

2005-06-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

Re: Bai, Matt, The Multilevel Marketing of the President. The New York Times Magazine (4/25/2004)

I thought this article was great. It really took me into the life of a volunteer, and an important volunteer at that because she was a district chair in a highly contentious county. What I learned from her story was the amount of pressure on these key volunteers is amazing. It shocked me to hear how the Republican party wanted the world from her. When she made the comment about her not being able to be fired because she is a volunteer, I thought that was a good point as well.

Volunteers are crucial to a campaign's success so they better recruit some very loyal and deserving volunteers. I would be nervous as a candidate to have volunteers running my campaign district headquarters just because of the fact the woman mentioned above, you can't fire them therefore there is not as much follow-through or dedication then someone who is paid. Volunteers need big hearts to dedicate their time to a campaign.

GOTV Activities Essential to Campaigns

2005-06-23T10:28:00.000-07:00

Re: Tumulty, Karen, et al., Fighting for every last vote: In such a tight race, the game is about turning out your supporters. CNN.com, 10/11/2004

GOTV activities are essential to winning a campaign. Simply asking voters for their support, volunteer time and distribution of materials can make or break a campaign - as we have learned in the above article about Kerry's campaign.

The Kerry campaign did not make the attempts to include volunteers in their daily GOTV activities. The Bush campaign did make attempts and won the election because of it. When it comes down to a close election every vote counts. That means every volunteer who can help GOTV activities are almost more important then the candidate.

Personal one-on-one volunteer GOTV activities, such as neighborhood walks may be the last piece of strategy on a campaign plan, but the most important. I would highly recommend each campaign to coordinate a GOTV activity and please, please utilize volunteers to their fullest potential. Adequate volunteer sign-ups are key on web sites and at campaign headquarters along with strategies to keep volunteers active in GOTV activities.

The Digital Divide

2005-06-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

Re: The Real Digital Divide. The Economist, March 10, 2005.

The digital divide is real and only getting worst. As stated in the above article, the divide exists because of a lack of income, development and literacy in third-world countries. The United Nation has established programs to bring third world nations up to speed with the information technology boom of industrialized countries but the real problem are the three categories I just mentioned.

Simply put, if people are illiterate and can't read or write, how are they going to operate a cell phone let alone a laptop. The third world nations are not the only place where such divides exist, but right here in the United States exists a divide.

This digital divide, while socioeconomic in many respects, also separates those in rural areas from those in urban. In Idaho, most who live in rural areas have limited access to electronic information sources, specifically broadband. These so-called underserved markets in Idaho and across the country must be brought into the 21st century the same way that rural areas in the 1930s became "connected" to the nationwide telephonic system.

Podcasting - A Great Tool for Message Marketing

2005-06-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

Re: Podcasting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting

After reading lecture 5 details on our class blog, I was amazed by how such a system called podcasting works. I had never heard of podcasting and was unfamiliar with the mechanisms that make it work. MP3 players are a major part of podcasting and as an owner of a MP3, I immediately downloaded the podcasting software and listened in amazement to the files I had just downloaded. The files that I downloaded could be played over and over again.

What a great way to market a campaign's message. Podcasting allows listeners to subscribe and pick the files they wish to listen to and that is a great tool for a campaign web site. The only disadvantage of podcasting would be if a listener had to have a MP3 player - but they don't! Anyone with a computer, internet and speakers can listen to podcasting.

This is just another great tool that can be utilized to manage a campaign and market a message.

A Business or Profession?

2005-06-20T19:08:00.000-07:00

Tonight in my political management ethics course we discussed whether or not political management is a profession or business. In respect to what I have thus far learned in this course, I would consider internet political management a business. The reason internet management is a business is because there is no degree criteria for running an internet and anyone can learn how to operate an internet system and web site.

Unlike professions such as medicine and law, where practitioners must meet certain criteria in order to practice, internet professionals have no such foundation. Instead, what differentiate internet professionals are experience, creativity and personal relationships.

The internet business is extremely new and it wouldn't surprise me if a more formal foundation of requirements is set-up to establish a profession like atmosphere - but I have a real doubt that will take place in my lifetime. The internet business is too new for fundamental requirements and criteria.

Oops! Mayor Caught in Online Chat Room

2005-06-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

Re: http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20050619040909990006&ncid=NWS00010000000001

I found this article on CNN.COM to be extremely relevant to our class discussions because it deals with the internet and privacy. The mayor's personal life was obviously intruded on by the newspaper investigating his chat room discussions, but as noted in the article there is no such thing as a private discussion in a chat room. Having a chat in an online community room is just like having a chat in a bar. People in a bar can hear what you are saying and who you are speaking with.

The same principles apply online. I don't think the mayor should have to resign because his online conversations were recorded - he did nothing illegal. His ethical decision to offer government internships to those in the chat room may be wrong. Bottom line, there is no such thing as privacy on the internet. When you are chatting with someone, always remember that even if you have an anonymous screen name, people can and will find ways to discover your true identity.

This is also a great example of how the internet can ruin a politician's future. I would highly recommend to my candidates not to take part in chat rooms. At at time when the media loves to expose politicians there is no reason to risk a career.

Synergy: My New Favorite Word

2005-06-18T15:28:00.000-07:00

Synergy is every! Creating synergy through email and the internet is key to developing and maintaining a message for campaigns. Utilizing different media outlets to connect messages is crucial to a campaigns success. I look forward to hearing guest speaker Tom Hockaday, one of the nation's top GOP consultants, who will discuss messaging and its importance relating to synergy.

The internet is the catalyst to maintaining synergy in a campaign. The internet, through web sites and blogs, operates as the super highway to connect campaign resources. As outlined in many of our readings, we are seeing first hand the explosive power the internet has on campaign success (not to mention the private sector).

A great example of the synergy in the internet world are electronic newsletters. These newsletters allow readers the opportunity to get updated information and offers links to certain web sites for more information. Email newsletters are terrific for keeping voters informed.

What else creates synergy on the internet? Blogs? Live Video Feeds? Emails?

"Killing Two Birds With One Stone" - Not Always Good

2005-06-17T06:58:00.000-07:00

After reviewing the email subscription web pages for each of the 2004 presidential candidates, I must admit that I felt overwhelmed. All of the candidates sought specific detailed information in order to become a subscriber and even Dean's site asked for a written description as to why I would support him. To me, asking for a written description about my possible support is asking for too much when all I want to do is subscribe to his emails.

I also felt that many of the candidates tied their volunteer page and subscription page together. Meaning, if I was just wanting to subscribe for the email newsletter, then I would also have to answer questions about how I wanted to help volunteer. While this is a strategic move by the campaigns to "kill two birds with one stone," meaning that they wanted to seek the interest of those subscribers to volunteer, I would have rather have not had those options on the subscription page.

Instead, I would have aimed for a clean and crisp subscription page, with only questions that were necessary about the emails. More questions about how often I wanted emails, or what format I wanted emails are more effective on this certain page. Bush did a good job at keeping his subscription page clean and Kerry was not bad either. But the others need some work.

Keep email subscriptions simple - that way people won't look at the subscription page and think "Naw, this is too much work - all I want are some emails!"

Junk Email?

2005-06-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

A comment in my last post drove me to wonder if too many emailed newsletters can drive a voter away from a candidate. That question sparked a thought in my mind about the theory that repeated messages are better understood and remembered by the public. In the PR industry, we always tell our clients to run an ad in a newspaper at least three times to ensure that the message is received by readers.

The same notion I believe applies to emailed newsletters. Sending out email newsletters on a regular basis will ensure readers are receiving the messages from the campaign. Increased distribution of emailed newsletters can occur at critical points of the campaign, such as the last week or so.

While nobody likes to get junk mail, I think that if you subscribe to an emailed newsletter, then you know you are going to get emails from the campaign.

You've Got Mail!

2005-06-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

Re: Neilsen, Jakob, Bush vs. Kerry: Email Newsletters Rated. useit.com, September 20, 2004.

I found this reading very interesting because I was signed up on both campaign email-newsletter subscriptions. I really enjoyed getting the newsletters from both campaigns because it kept me up to date on the latest happenings and offered some wonderful links to issues and action items. When receiving my email newsletters I noticed that I got a lot more from the Bush team then the Kerry team. In particular, it seemed I received more emails from Bush's campaign manager rather than Kerry's.

I found the emails from the campaign managers to be uplifting and energetic. The tone of the newsletters gave each campaign the utmost optimistic outlook on the campaign trail and offered various methods to volunteer or help out.

More so, I found the email newsletters to reconnect me with the campaigns at times when I was busy in my own personal life to follow every blow of the campaign. I thought both parties did a great job utilizing the guidelines set out in the above article. I am a big proponent of such email newsletters. When I worked for the Association of California Water Agencies, I wrote the weekly email newsletter to our members. I was surprised at how many members actually read the newsletter and used the links to read more or visit our association web site.

Email newsletters are a great communications tool to every campaign and organization should used!

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee!

2005-06-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

Wake up and smell the coffee!! Corporations need to realize that the internet is going to become a commercial highway and more people are clamoring to the internet to purchase items. As the internet becomes a more secure system to buy goods, corporations must realize that they can either move with the flow of the cash or lose out big time!

Companies that have already incorporated internet sites with new sales deals and online specials have no doubt seen an increased volume of purchases. It makes no sense for corporations to fight the internet age.

Political managers need to take note of this growing trend of internet use as well! If it works in the corporate world, why not in the political world? Designed properly, the internet and web site could become a huge asset to any political campaign and corporation.

Looking Into the Crystal Ball...

2005-06-13T07:49:00.000-07:00

Re: Shapiro, Andrew L., The Control Revolution: How the Internet is Putting Individuals in charge and Changing the World We Know. 1999.
Chapter 11: "Freedom from Speech," pp. 124-132.Chapter 12: "The Drudge Factor," pp. 133-141.

The world we once knew ten years ago has greatly changed since the introduction of the internet and other new media systems. The internet has not only changed how some people shop or chat, but how people utilize their democratic rights, such as free speech. Without having to stand in front of a million people on a stage, people can now reach an audience of millions and type their views on global or national issues. Simply put, the internet has become a catalyst for those who previously had no outlet to learn and express their views.

The internet has put people in control of their own messages and has given people the opportunity to learn about issues and cultures that they may not otherwise have had the resources to do. It is amazing that someone in rural California can sit down in their living room, flip open their laptop, sign onto their internet browser, and be able to send the president an email, research African countries or even talk live with someone in an overseas country. If our founding fathers knew of our communication capabilities today, I think they would literally turn over in their graves.

We have come a long way in the past ten years - I wonder what the internet will do for us in another ten years??? Maybe virtual 3-d internet chats???

Offer It and They Will Come...Cheap Internet Services

2005-06-12T11:36:00.000-07:00

Re: Hof, Robert D., The Power of Us: Mass collaboration on the Internet is shaking up business, Business Week Online, June 20, 2005.

The internet really is shaking up big business in a big way. The example of the internet phone system is just one example of how an online society is utilizing loop holes and systems to cuts corners on otherwise expensive services, such as CD copying, long distance phone calls, file sharing, and even car rentals. This type of online service reminds me of my use of Zip Car, an online rental car service. For just $25 a year you can become a member of Zip Car and rent cars located throughout DC for a small hourly fee. The fee includes gas, insurance and other taxes. It is an amazing, low price deal for renting a car - beating large car rental placed like Hertz or Budget. The bottom line is that society is starting to utilize the functions that make the internet so attractive - cheaper services whenever you need them - services at your finger tips.

Big business should be taking note of this new internet business trend, not only because it is cutting into their bottom line, but because it shows market vulnerabilities and even new methods to provide cheaper, more efficient means of conducting services.

I only hope big business does not try to shut down and regulate those internet businesses that are providing the cheaper services. As they say, build it and they will come - regulate it and it will close!

Local vs. Nationwide Fundraising Efforts

2005-06-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

Re: November 15, 2004: Bloggers announce success, after helping to raise $150,000 in only 4 days. The Recount effort went on to raise over $338,000 in less than a month, despite no TV, direct mail, no phone banking, no ads Â and virtually no fundraising budget. Blogs made all the difference.

The above news release announces the success of bloggers raising a lot of money in only a couple days. I found this news release amazingbecausee I did not realize how fast bloggers could contribute to a political campaign. I wander if the same response could be made if the political campaign was on a local scale and not statewide or nationwide - such as a local city council race or local school board race. My feeling is that fundraising through blogs may only be possible through larger scale campaigns. The reason I state this is because larger scale campaigns draw more attention through the internet and blogger community.

Dare I try to raise money through the blogging community for a local race???

Schwarzenegger won't shy from confrontation

2005-06-10T06:35:00.000-07:00

Re: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-06-09-Schwarzenegger-cover_x.htm

As a "Schwarzenegger Republican" I could not resist posting the above article that ran in USA Today. The article relates to this class because it is a prime example of how various types of media create a "frenzy" over polling numbers. The media loves a horse race during an election, and in California a special election will take place in November. Blogs in California are keeping busy with the special election approaching.

Several new media outlets, such as blogs and the internet, have utilized their ability to take readers directly to the Secretary of State's web site to read about the propositions on the ballot. This form of internet education is key because it allows voters to read the ballot measure before it goes to the public. Many people do not see the actual ballot language until they get into the ballot box. With the internet, voters can now log into the Secretary of State's web site and read the language and even read editorials on the propositions. This is a great function of the internet.

Blogs are keeping pace with the multi-million dollar advertising campaign by posting on partisan web sites. The labor unions are especially utilizing blogs to reach out to voters.

General comment below:

What I really wanted to point out is the fact that Schwarzenegger is staying on message about the reason he is serving as Governor and why the people of California elected him in a special election, "To serve the people of California and make necessary reforms to clean up California government." That is exactly what he wants to accomplish with the special election in November and the reforms being placed on the ballot, such as the redistricting reform ( having an independent board of judges choose district boundaries) is exactly what is needed in California. While Schwarzenegger's approval rating has taken a dive, so has the Legislature's approval rating - as a matter of fact, the California Legislature has had a horrible approval rating that has yet to rise above 35%. So, the problem is not Schwarzenegger's reforms, but the Legislature's way of doing business. Did you know that legislators in Sacramento, CA make $100,000 + a year in salary? I am afraid many legislators view their position as a career, not as a public servant - which is how Schwarzenegger views his post as Governor!

Show Me The Money! Money, Money, Money!!!

2005-06-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

Re: Barko, Julie, Wells, Kevin, Darr, Carol, et al., eds, The Political Consultants' Online Fundraising Primer, Institute for Democracy, Politics, and the Internet (www.ipdi.org), July 14, 2004.

Show Me The Money! Fundraising online has proven to become a very useful tool to garner financial support across the country for a campaign. As noted in the above publication, there are several do's and don'ts while fundraising online. For instance, you want to make sure you have a secure site so contributors feel safe about giving their credit card number online. More importantly, you must have a receipt process, so people can view their transaction and feel some sanity after donating a large sum of money.

Bottom line, contributors must be able to go to bed at night not worrying if their credit card number is going to be used by some hacker in overseas to purchase the newest pair of Nikes.

Do you donate online?? I never have donated online for a political campaign - I would rather have a hand shake from the candidate when I dull out my cash!!

To Blog or Not to Blog...That is the question

2005-06-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

Re: Guest speaker: Jonah Seiger, GSPM faculty member and communications consultant, specializing in Interactive Media strategies. A founding partner of Connections Media LLC, he has managed political and public affairs campaigns for leading political candidates, industry associations, advocacy groups, and Fortune 500 companies for over a decade.

Last night we heard from Mr. Seiger who commented on the fact that not all political candidates utilize the blog. Specifically, some incumbents do not rely on blogs because it does not fit into their strategy, whereas contenders should utilize blogs as a means to directly attack the incumbent.

I found it interesting that some incumbents do not utilize blogs. Having a direct and open line of communication with your voters is imperative, especially if your opponent is using a blog. However, there are some negative aspects to having a blog as an incumbent such as immediate attacks from the opponent - we don't want our dirty laundry aired as an incumbent. Therefore it seems to me that blogs are more useful as a tool to be offensive during a campaign.

Are blogs a tool for offensive campaigning? If you were an incumbent would you use a blog on your campaign web site?

Online Media Kits: Reporters Love Them!

2005-06-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

Re: Ireland, Emilienne, and Philip T. Nash, Winning Campaigns Online: Strategies for Candidates and Causes, 2001, Chapter 13: "Online Media Relations," pp. 197-208.

I could not agree more with Prof. Ireland's section on online media relations because it plays a large role in any type of campaign. Web sites are not only a source for the public, but the media utilize web sites as a major source for articles. Web sites are extremely convenient for reporters because they can get information while at their desks and meet their deadline. While it is best to meet with reporters to make sure they understand information about a campaign, when on a deadline, reporters need accurate information very quickly. Online media kits help feed the media information that has a campaign's message.

Online media kits can be placed on web sites as PDFs or word documents -I would highly recommend choosing a format that is easy to use - you don't want to piss off a reporter or make them frustrated!!

Privacy and the Internet

2005-06-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

I am writing this post based on a class lecture I just had in my political ethics course. Tonight we discussed the ethical decision of government to track or monitor political activity on the internet. Specific, we discussed how the government and political campaigns can monitor a person's political activity on the internet. Political campaigns are using banners to advertise their candidate on email homepages and various web sites that are frequented by their target audience. They know who their targeted audience is because they purchase list of emails from web sites that cater to a certain political message. Corporations do the same thing by monitoring their customer's shopping habits online. The corporations then use the lists and sell to marketers or other corporations. Basically, every step and move you make on the internet is being monitored.

The government monitors movement due to terrorists, as they should to keep our nation safe. As much as I hate having my personal life intruded on, I realize that the World Wide Web is exactly that - a wide open field of sites from around the world that can be accessed by anyone across the world. The government and other entities should have the right to monitor or track web site use.

The Starbucks Effect: Blogging Language

2005-06-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

Do you remember your first time ordering at a Starbucks Coffee? The language of ordering a coffee seemed foreign to me - "Tall extra whip non-fat mocha caramel mocha," or " was that a grande or venti - or perhaps no whip but extra shot and iced..." These terms changed the world of ordering a basic cup of coffee. I felt the same anxiety after looking at the words Mobs, Moblogs, MoSoSo, Vlogs, SMS, RSS, MSM. Wow, I never knew there were so many words that related to blogs. I quickly went through each word and dissected its meaning and soon started to feel familiar with the overall word usage. However, I often wonder how many people know the meaning of these words and how long it will take the general public to feel comfortable using them in a daily conversation. In Starbucks case, I believe it took a little while before Saturday Night Live started incorporating their coffee language into their funny skits. By incorporating the coffee language into the skits it grew public attention - it also doesn't hurt that there is a Starbucks on every street corner. But for blogs, where they are located in the deep internet highway and not as visible to the general public, I think it is going to take a much longer time for the average person to understand blogging language and its usefulness.

What do you think? Will a MoSoSo and Vlogs and RSS become words in everyday conversations such as those of Starbuck drinkers?

For the Health of it!!

2005-06-04T16:13:00.000-07:00

Re: Lindow, Megan, How SMS Could Save Your Life. Wired News, November 4, 2004.

According to this article, doctors are using SMS systems and text messages to treat aids patients on different continents. "They use SMS to send all of this information to a central database, where Sister Mtwisha can instantly view it on her computer screen. With all of the relevant information compiled neatly in front of her, the irregularities stand out."

This is an example of how new technologies and media can help society grow. I personally feel that this is the best method to using technology - to help one another - instead of blasting someone's personal beliefs on a blog. If more money was put into programs such as the practice described in the article we would have a healthier world. People in third world countries would gain medical assistance that is lacking. People in our own nation would also gain the treatments that are needed. Wouldn't it be fantastic if our medical records were all entered into a database that could be accessed by any doctor in the world - that way in case of an emergency and you are on vacation in Guam, doctors there could efficiently treat you.

Money, money, money is the key ingredient to expanding this important role of the new media. The health industry is in dire need of a system that can give doctors the support they need and the help patients need at life-risking times.

Blogs - Political Suicide?

2005-06-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

Re: Congressman John Conyers' (D-MI) Blog, Rep. Conyers posts a diary on DailyKOS.com

Politicians are now starting to use blogs as means to communicate with their constituents. This type of communications is obviously very new and I am afraid will have great complications for any given politician based on their management and use of the blog. Blogs could become political suicide for a politician if not maintained properly!

If used correctly, the blog can update constituents on daily activities, themes, messages, and votes. It could start a decent conversation between a politician (or his staff, who will end up writing and posting the blog daily) and the public.

However, if used incorrectly, a blog could do more harm than good. If a politician does not update and monitor their blog daily, then messages could get way out of hand, especially if opponents post to the blog daily and take it over. This could be political suicide.

The goal of any communications director for a politician is to control the message and not let the opponents gain ground by getting coverage of their own messages. The blog could help the opponent tremendously. Therefore, I give fair warning to politicians who want to use blogs as a means of communication with constituents. I would recommend a daily newsletter or email to a targeted list that will allow the delivery of a message and not a debate.

Isn't it hard to control a message on a blog for a politician? Is it political suicide?

Big Brother Watching Your Every Move...

2005-06-02T07:21:00.000-07:00

Re: Buckley, Russell, The Death Knell of Privacy. The Mobile Technology Weblog, May 25, 2005

According to the above article the mobile technology industry has now created a new method to increase efficiency and production at the workplace - by tracking your every move! Whether you are in the restroom or going outside for a smoke, your manager will always know where you are - thanks to the Sprint Business Mobility Framework, which is a service that tracks employees' movements. It sends out alerts to management when they stray outside the designated Geofence and reports a "breadcrumb" trail of where they have been. Finally, it can tell managers which employee is nearest to a given point in the event of a service need - think the nearest taxi or plumber.

I agree with Buckley that is type of management is horrendous. Employees must feel freedom in their workplace and management needs to have confidence that their employees are doing their jobs. Just like tagging a cow with an electronic device so it doesn't wander off the farm, employers will be doing the same to humans - let me reiterate, HUMANS! It is already bad enough that at some major corporations you have to literally "clock in" and out every day. I seriously hope that this trend stops because I know that I would never work for such an establishment.

Should your management track every move you make while on the job? Do you want big brother watching your every move?

Technology Runs Our Lives, Communications

2005-06-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

Re: Anti-war protesters go digital: Demonstrators use technology to organize, publicize, evade. CNN.com, March 27, 2003.

"Throughout the world, technology is allowing activists to stage spontaneous rallies in reaction to the war." This sentence alone demonstrates the effectiveness of web sites, the internet and mobile devices. More so, it illustrates one of the prime functions that technology provides - direct and quick response and action. From grassroots organizations seeking letters from their members to Congress, or anti-war protestors calling for action at a rally, technology can provide a means of communication that is quicker, more efficient and provide a greater impact. While there are many advantages to communicating through technology, there are some disadvantages. The largest disadvantage is the growing disconnect of society - losing the "face to face" value. Technology is starting to control us like we are the robots, when technology should simply support communication efforts and not act as the only means of communicating ideas and opinions. I think we lose the "human" aspect of communications - perhaps the movie "Matrix" isn't too far off after all!

Regulations!?! How Dare They!!

2005-05-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

Re: Ireland, Emilienne, and Philip T. Nash, Winning Campaigns Online: Strategies for Candidates and Causes, 2001. Chapter 12: "Recruiting Volunteers," pp. 181-195.

In Chapter 12 there is a small section called "Regulatory Issues" that touches on the regulatory aspect of political campaign web sites. The section notes that web sites supporting political candidates and issues are subject to not only the usual laws and restrictions pertaining to other web sites, but also by the Federal Election Commission (for federal campaigns). However, in the examples given, two federal rulings contradicted one another. It seems that "grassroots" web sites have more leverage than a "corporate" web site affiliated with a political campaign or issue. Perhaps this is why many corporations start "astroturf" grassroots campaigns because they know they can get away with more (at least in the eyes of some federal courts.) If there is going to be a regulation on web sites they must be made across the board - no exceptions, no special treatment - it shouldn't matter who builds the web site - if it is going to generate funding for a political candidate or issue during a campaign then the same regulations must exist for all types of web sites.

Should political grassroots web site be regulated differently then corporate web sites? Should political web sites even be regulated?

The Internet Magnifies Democracy

2005-05-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

Cass Sunstein wrote in The Daily We: Is the Internet really a blessing for democracy? that in a free republic, citizens aspire to a system that provides a wide range of experiences—with people, topics, and ideas—that would not have been selected in advance. Sunstein further goes into details about how the internet can both promote and hamper individual ideas. While the internet may produce two extremes of democratic practices, I feel the internet has only magnified democracy and its core purposes. Simply put, the internet offers a wider and larger medium to exchange ideas, which promotes democracy. No other form of communication allows uncensored direct interaction between people - not TV, not the radio, not the newspaper. These other forms of media allow for editing and censorship, while the internet can foster an environment that truly represents freedom of speech. While some bureaucrats may not like the additional freedom of speech and the collaboration of "factions" on issues, the internet has already proven, through the use of internet campaigns, to become an effective tool and medium for the growth of democracy.

The internet does promote democracy, right? Or is it just a tool for dating services?

Welcome!

2005-05-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

I hope to make this blog more exciting then its name ( I was unaware we could be so creative with our blog name, had I known this I would have called it "A Californian's Perspective" or maybe "A Schwarzenegger Republican") - and maybe if I was at the least somewhat technologically advanced I could figure out how to edit my blog name, but hey, I am lucky to have just made it this far on the blog - so why ruin a good thing! I appreciate your comments and look forward to "blogging" with you soon...