Web 2.0 and our next president

Here’s what I know about our past and future presidents:

Too Little: George Bush (the 1st) didn’t like broccoli.

Too Much: Bill Clinton liked cigars.

Just Right: Barack Obama participates on Facebook.

This is officially our first Web 2.0 presidential race – things have grown exponentially in the last 8 years. Do we have more access to the candidates? It’s hard to say. I’m sure that this Facebook profile is authentic, but it’s also a selected show of what Obama and his team want us to see. But, isn’t that true for us all?

We no longer have to listen to the major TV networks or newspapers for candidate information – without choice, just because they are on CNN and all that we have. I have to take it back to the Groundswell. Political bloggers are hugely influential, and so are just regular old bloggers. They provide differing insights and views, and we now have the opportunity to find out about these bloggers and experts (who are they, what have they stood for in the past) – and then we can choose to listen to them, we can decide if they are worthy of the pulpit.

And, we do have more access to the candidates and the campaign. When Obama delivered his speech in Berlin, I was in my car and only caught snippets on NPR’s wrap-up, but I knew that when I got home, I would find the video of the entire speech online. Not only is it on his website, his Facebook profile, his MySpace page, plastered all over the blogosphere, on YouTube and beyond; it was also waiting for me in my email inbox.  It had been emailed to me….and I like to think that Barack sent it himself.

Of course, he didn’t, and I understand because I’m almost too busy to send emails.  But, he’s participating – as himself and with his team – talking, listening, sharing…and that is good.

Barack Obama’s Facebook Profile

Detailed Info

Contact Info