August 31, 2004
RNC Tech News You Can Use: Tuesday Night
- The GOP unveiled an audio blog today debuting with an animated Ed Gillespie.
- High-Tech made it in the party Platform. On P. 65 telecommunications such as broadband and Wi-Fi are discussed.
- Tech rules at the RNC. News.com writes how new communication technologies are getting an airing by federal agents and protesters alike at the Republican National Convention in New York City.
- Amazon.com launched a section on its website for political pundits to discuss the U.S. presidential election.
- Of course if you aren’t happy with Bush or Kerry you could always support the draft effort to elect Mel Gibson.
Bits And Pieces
- New York police arrested more than 900 people late on Tuesday as anti-Bush activists blocked traffic, staged anti-war protests and harassed Republican delegates during a long day of civil disobedience on the city's streets.
- BBC notes “Monday night was about the head of George Bush. Tuesday night was about the heart of George Bush.”
American’s anxiously await to learn which organ or appendage will characterized George Bush on Wednesday.
- What the heck is a 527? Still don’t know... go here.
- I’ve never really drooled over computers before... that is until I saw the new iMac G5. I don’t even like Apples, but I think I might make an exception with this futuristic beauty.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 11:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Protests Make News Today
High-Tech protest stories made and will make news today as protests will likely increase/become more hostile.
- The already famous Bike’s Against Bush biker Joshua, Kinberg, was arrested before he could put his wi-fi enabled, chalk spraying man-powered machine to work. And he probably won’t get his bike back until after the convention.
- Billionaires for Bush are set to do Billionaire Flashmobbing today. Ruly bands of Billionaires will roam the streets of New York, stopping for three-martini lunches, spontaneous outbursts of ballroom dancing and en-masse shining of shoes.
- A 31 Action plans non-violent acts of civil disobedience to “turn the streets of NYC into stages of resistance and forums for debate.”
More as it develops...
Posted by Buzz Webster at 09:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Monday Night Recap: RNC Convention
McCain Vs. Moore became the talk of the blogs last night as John McCain bashed Fahrenheit 9/11 and Michael Moore showed up to the convention with press credentials. When Moore disruptively (more the press' fault than his own) made his way through the Garden, delegates shouted obscenities at him, others yelled out websites.
One passerby got in an anti-Moore plug: "Log into Moorewatch.com and Moorelies.com."
Moore was there writing a column for USA Today.
Overall convention RNC bloggers experienced the same woes as the DNC bloggers. Captain’s Quarters sums it up nicely.
Our first day on the job provided challenges in droves to Bloggers Corner. For one, the IT connections had not all been established, and it took several hours before all of us were able to reliably get on line and post to our sites. Our strategic placement meant that we could get some good interviews, but that our access to the convention floor was quite limited. In fact, we have to traverse four flights, one down and three up, to get into the main hall, and then we can't get onto the floor itself. Add in the generally lost feeling of not knowing your surroundings and the overwhelming blitz of traffic coming around our area, add a dash of the tightest security I've ever seen, and you get the idea that we could be forgiven a bit of disorientation.
In my opinion PoliBlog summed up Monday night at the convention better than most.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 04:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 30, 2004
NYC Let's Get Ready To Rumble
It’s a relatively quiet afternoon, as bloggers and the rest of the political world get ready for tonight’s kickoff. A visit from former NYC Mayor Ed Koch to Blogger's Corner got transistors switching, but other than that there is not a lot of buzz.
So far RNC convention bloggers are not varying much in how the DNC bloggers covered the convention in Boston. Only instead of bloggers being the story, protesters are making bigger waves. And it is pretty clear that even the arrests might be blown out of proportion.
Sure a few hundred folks were aresseted but thats small potatoes considering between 100,000 - 500,000 took to the streets over the weekend.
The best two blogs covering the convention are probably RNC bloggers and Convention Bloggers, only because they are covering all the blogs.
More than half a dozen mainstream media reporters are joining independent Web loggers to offer their personal thoughts about this week's Republican National Convention.
If anyone really cares.. Nextel is the official wireless provider of RNC convention just as it was for the DNC.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 01:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Conventions And Accusations: P&I Buzz Brief
Over the weekend, not much Internet related political news took place.
Hot and muggy streets welcomed Convention bloggers as they arrived in New York.
The whole “Whoa I’m here” feeling quickly passed as relatively peaceful protested swelled in the city.
Here’s two Internet related tidbits:
- Remember when bloggers were the story at the DNC convention? A Denver blogger reminisces.
- CNN notes: a clever use of typography in the posters showcasing the URL of the Republican convention site: wWw.gopconvention.com.
Elsewhere in America
- Out of rightfield the American Computer Science Association accuses Kerry of election fraud.
- The American Political Science Association has pulled together an online guide for the 2004 elections.
Meanwhile Down-under
- The Australian elections to be held in October are getting bloody mad! For the best sites to follow the trail go here.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 05:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 29, 2004
Two Days Of Protests: P&I Buzz Brief
Overall peaceful protests over the weekend but news hungry press are sure to capture anything remotely hostile.
Police did arrested around 200 protesters for disorderly conduct, however there were no injuries.
In more confrontational protests, hundreds harassed RNC delegates attending plays on Broadway. The New York Times reported that police arrested more than 50 protesters for obstructing the entrance to two hotels where RNC delegates are staying.
Even with fears of grass annihilation Central Park was still the convergence of some protests over the weekend. Libertarian’s lead by their candidate for president Michael Badnarik and the more sophisticated protesters Billionaires for Bush were among the turf stompers.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 27, 2004
New York - The Big Apple Of Media’s Eye
Ready for round two of convention coverage? We’ll be giving you the latest starting Monday. That’s right come on back to BuzzWebster for the low down on how the world of internet and politics runs aground in NYC.
To steady your nerves and ready your reporting, help is on the way. MediaChannel's has published the "Unofficial Media Guide to the Republican National Convention:"
Looking to get involved in the convention but can’t make it to New York? The Bush campaign is asking to help out by voting early and hosting a convention watch party... that just might be broadcast live, via satellite on the convention floor.
And for those who would rather not get so chummy with Bush... There is a very good MoveOn.org exclusive in Wired. Also MoveOn has launched a 10-week countdown featuring ads from a bunch of America’s hottest directors.
(Jimmy the cab driver is a must see)
Posted by Buzz Webster at 04:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 24, 2004
Groups Want Feedback: P&I Buzz Brief
-- Bush-Cheney'04 is doing two online chats this week in an effort to reach out to America's youngest voters.
-- The GOP convention website now has a webpage for supporters to give input on what should be the most important issues for the Republican Party this year.
-- As predicted MoveOn gets good publicity with the yardsale drive and it’s new online forum shows the activists might be getting a little less top down in their online approach.
-- TrueMajority and its partner FaithfulAmerica.org have been working to stop the genocide in Darfur, and are now holding a Webcast On the morning of August 25 in which you will be able to meet several survivors of the Darfur genocide.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 12:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 20, 2004
Yard Sales And Revolutions: P&I Buzz Brief
Here is everything you need know on Friday.
- MoveOn is raising bucks through a sure to get publicity virtual Yard Sale.
- Iraqi Bloggers are running for office and raising cash online.
- A new FEC ruling will drastically change the way 527’s like MoveOn, ACT, RightMarch, and Swift Boat Vets can operate beginning in 2005.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 03:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 19, 2004
5 Things You Probably Won't Hear
Five High-Tech Things You Probably Won’t Hear In Presidential Politics This Week:
5 - Ok, I get the whole blogger thing, but what’s a Jib-Jab? Isn’t that what B.A. on the A-Team used to say?
4 - Due to the amount of SPAM supporters receive, we’ve dropped email and are going with carrier pigeons.
3 - Is that a Black Berry in your pocket or are you just happy to see me.
2 - If elected, I would pull out of Iraq and use those funds to buy shares of Google stock.
1 - Sorry I’m late Dick, Condi. I was up all night watching women’s beach volleyball in slow motion.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 09:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 18, 2004
Flip-Flops and Anarchy: P&I Buzz Brief
Here's what's happening today:
- Senate hopeful Republican Alan Keyes is looking for $ outside of Illinois using the services of conservative online newsletters.
- Bush-Cheney’04 has a new Olympian inspired game on the web called John Kerry Flip Flop Olympics.
- Anti-Bush hackers and Internet dissidents are boldly talking about how they plan to disrupt the RNC convention.
- Kerry’s biggest bounce was online after the convention according to his web traffic stats and two polls (1, 2).
- Maldives is the latest hotspot for cyber-dissident persecution where protesters allegedly have been tortured and imprisoned.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 17, 2004
John, MoveOn And Juan: P&I Buzz Brief
Today’s Morning Buzz Brief gives you the Internet and politics news in three questions.
- Is John McCain Kerry’s running mate? A new MoveOn.org ad uses him like he just might be.
- At what times in campaign season are online ads or viral marketing campaigns more effective?
- Did Venezuela just experience an e-voting fiasco or success story, and what can the U.S. learn from it?
Posted by Buzz Webster at 07:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 13, 2004
P&I Morning Buzz Brief: MoveOn Clips, Gay Gov. Quits
- MoveOn.org announced the winner of it’s Republican’s voting for Kerry video contest Thursday. The winning clip is of Sargeant Lee Buttrill, a Iraq War veteran, who questions Bush’s reasoning on going to war. It is a powerful ad, but the only problem is that Kerry has now said (depending on how you interpret it Yes or No) he would have gone to war like Bush. Maybe MoveOn.org should have went with a different issue.
- While Africa is demanding more Internet control from the U.S., the U.S. gives Uganda $318,000 for an e-government feasibility study.
- Moving North, the U.K. is also thinking about e-government by advertising on Google to drive more traffic to its government website.
- Then back to U.S., the resignation of New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey is the top U.S. political news story on Google, Yahoo, and a high percentage of political blogs.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 12, 2004
P&I Morning Buzz Brief - Ready To Protest In NY
Want to know the daily quick and short of Politics and the Internet? Starting today I'll summarize the latest political happenings on the web.
- Online efforts to organize protesters and those protesting the protesters (RightMarch.com especially) will surely be the news in an otherwise uneventful RNC convention in New York.
- A new election game, FrontRunner, is getting young geeky politico's all hot in the pants. We'll review it soon.
- Is the world ready for Candidate Dickie Pilager? Click here to see how a website and up coming film may influence the November elections.
- There's an exciting new political consulting partnership, Connell Donatelli, in the Beltway that is sure to have some cool tech innovations up it's sleeve for future clients.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 11, 2004
Catch The POL Crew Online And On Air
Attention Floridians, if President Bush's visit wasn't enough to get you all excited, we have news of the next best thing.
Our very own David Abel, Editor of PoliticsOnline, will be on WAMT 1190 AM -- The Guetzloe Report
11:00-Noon, Wednesday.
If you can't catch it on the airways click here to listen to live streaming audio of the show.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 07:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 10, 2004
American Candidate Musings
Is anyone watching the American Candidate on Showtime?
With little fan fare episode 3 is about to air, minus Chrissy Gephardt, yes that Gephardt.
All of the episodes (summaries) and recaps can be found on the website if you want to be briefed.
I'm thinking this is just the thing for freshman Poly-Sci courses...
Posted by Buzz Webster at 04:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 09, 2004
Media Not Candidate Is Mindless
It appears the earlier beheading story wasn't really about getting re-elected, but rather pointing out that the media needs to do better fact checking.
The faked beheading story broadcast on two Arab language television stations and sent out on international news services early Saturday was based on a grainy video that was made by three Bay Area residents as an experiment to find out how quickly erroneous information could be spread by the Internet.The experiment had a delayed reaction, but when it came, it did so more dramatically than the people who made the video ever dreamed.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 04:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Heads Roll In San Fran
This just in -- a San Francisco man's recent online stunt puts him on top for the 2004 Most Outrageously Insane Idea To Get Elected Award.
WHAT kind of person fakes his own beheading at the hands of the most brutal Islamic terrorist operating in Iraq, tapes it, shows it to the world over the internet and then admits it was all a hoax when his mum blows the whistle on him?
Benjamin Vanderford is a 22-year-old musician and computer geek and thought the stunt would get him enough publicity to secure his election into the exciting world of San Francisco municipal politics.
How in the world did Vanderford figure this would help him get elected?
Posted by Buzz Webster at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
August 06, 2004
E-Voter Survey
I'm passing this on from the good folks up at the E-Voter Institute.
Has the Internet changed politics and advocacy forever?Is this the year “serious” political ad dollars will start to be spent
online? Are blogs effective for reaching the loyal base?Help influence the industry by taking this short, confidential 4th Annual
Survey of Political and Advocacy Communication Leaders being conducted by
E-Voter Institute.Your opinions count. Click here to participate:
Posted by Buzz Webster at 09:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 04, 2004
Kerry's Cool 5 Million
Now that the Convention is over and everyone has had a chance to deal with the elevated terror alert, let's back track to one of the greatest milestones in internet and politics that took place last week.
According to the Kerry campaign, the candidate raised more than $5 million in online donations last Thursday, the day Kerry accepted the nomination.
That's 5 times much as John McCain did in 2000 and 1.5 times as much as Kerry did on the last day of the filing period in June.
To put it another way, in a single day online -- Kerry raised almost 3% of his total $185 million since January. You can tell Howard Dean that's something to scream about.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 04:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
August 03, 2004
WWW Realm Of The Informed Independent?
MediaPost reports that a new survey from Scarborough Research--a firm that studies shopping, media, and lifestyle patterns of U.S. consumers -- shows that Independents, many of whom could be the very swing voters so highly sought after in this year's tight election, are 30 percent more likely than all consumers nationwide to use the Internet to visit a newspaper Web site or radio station site, while Republicans and Democrats are less likely than all consumers to do either.
Posted by Buzz Webster at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
