Comments on: How politics will change the web http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/11/how-politics-will-change-the-web/ The inside track since 2003 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:10:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: John Lehal http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/11/how-politics-will-change-the-web/comment-page-1/#comment-59464 John Lehal Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:20:42 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=2820#comment-59464 Hi Tom, I've just returned from five days in Florida working on the Obama campaign. (I actually met one of your mates campaigning in Overtown sporting a Brummies for Obama shirt!) The experience leaves me certain that politicians here need to make a step change in using new media to establish a two-way dialogue: to really enhance participation in the political process. Too many politicians here still use social media as a shop window -not a vehicle for debate. Obama's use of social networking sites (MyBo) was a powerful vehicle for communicating with swing voters, mobilising volunteers and fundraising. We know many politicians here avoid connecting and mobilising through social media because of the perceived risk and inability to maintain control of online activities. “risky” by the established politician. It would be great to get you together with your America namesake to have a wider debate to explore how we can overcome these hurdles. Let me know if you want us to help take this forward. Best John Hi Tom, I’ve just returned from five days in Florida working on the Obama campaign. (I actually met one of your mates campaigning in Overtown sporting a Brummies for Obama shirt!)

The experience leaves me certain that politicians here need to make a step change in using new media to establish a two-way dialogue: to really enhance participation in the political process. Too many politicians here still use social media as a shop window -not a vehicle for debate.

Obama’s use of social networking sites (MyBo) was a powerful vehicle for communicating with swing voters, mobilising volunteers and fundraising.

We know many politicians here avoid connecting
and mobilising through social media because of the perceived risk and inability to maintain control of online activities. “risky” by the established politician.

It would be great to get you together with your America namesake to have a wider debate to explore how we can overcome these hurdles. Let me know if you want us to help take this forward.

Best

John

]]> By: Robert http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/11/how-politics-will-change-the-web/comment-page-1/#comment-59307 Robert Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:10:38 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=2820#comment-59307 We had Bush winning because courts could not count, to night through the internet McCain wins by landslide as the computer systems have a glitch. We had Bush winning because courts could not count, to night through the internet McCain wins by landslide as the computer systems have a glitch.

]]> By: john edwards http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/11/how-politics-will-change-the-web/comment-page-1/#comment-59306 john edwards Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:09:14 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=2820#comment-59306 Almost before the current round of 2,500 Post Office closures has hit home, we are now facing the closure of a further 3,000 if the Post Office Card Account contract goes to the private sector. This is a decision that your Government will be taking. How will you be voting Tom? And given that you apparently have Brown's ear, are you yelling at him about this? Or will we all be back to yet another round of futile petitions next year to "save our local Post Office"? John Edwards Almost before the current round of 2,500 Post Office closures has hit home, we are now facing the closure of a further 3,000 if the Post Office Card Account contract goes to the private sector. This is a decision that your Government will be taking. How will you be voting Tom?

And given that you apparently have Brown’s ear, are you yelling at him about this? Or will we all be back to yet another round of futile petitions next year to “save our local Post Office”?

John Edwards

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