PoliticsBlog: August 2006 Archives

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August 30, 2006

"We Work for the Green Party"

That's what Eric Porres of Pericles Consulting, LLC told Online Media Daily about their decision to offer help to Sen. Joe Lieberman in re-launching his Web site.

Porres said whoever was willing to part with the green first (which happened to be the Republican Party, which his company has been associated with ever since) was the group his company would work with.

Political consultant Michael Bassik, who works with the Democratic firm MHSC Partners, said consultancies often align themselves along party lines, and this partially explains why several Democratic Web site consultants turned down Lieberman's request for help in re-establishing his site. But Eric Porres says he is willing to cross party lines and help Lieberman and so Pericles Consulting decided to offer their services, although it is not certain whether Lieberman will accept the offer.

Blue State Digital, one of the companies that Lieberman contacted for assistance, replied that they were unable to help the Senator because they “work exclusively with Democratic candidates.” Additionally, Blue State Digital has already been working with the Ned Lamont campaign, which could cause a conflict of interest if they also worked with Lieberman. PlusThree, another Democratic online consulting firm, also declined Lieberman’s request.

Media Mezcla LLC, which produces Campaign Engine, has used the Lieberman misfortune as advertisement for their product with an ad that reads: “If Joe Lieberman had used Campaign Engine, his site would still be up.”

Is Media Mezcla willing to help the Senator re-launch his online campaign? Nope, they don’t cross party lines, either. Too bad, Senator. Too bad.

Republican-allied Firm Offers to Help Lieberman with Web Site
Online Consultants Turn Down Lieberman

Posted by Buzz Webster at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 25, 2006

Filipino Youth "Mobilize" Revolution

Cellphones and text messaging are changing the way political mobilizations are conducted around the world.

The technology is also changing the organization and dynamics of protests, allowing leaders to control, virtually minute-by-minute, the movements of demonstrators, like military generals in the field. Using texts that communicate orders instantly, organizers can call for advances or retreats of waves of protesters.

The Philipenes, widely called the text-messaging center of the world, has led the way. In the wake of a string of unsolved murders in recent months students have begun clamoring for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to do something.

Raymond Palatino of Manila was one of the organizers of a 1,000 student protest at the gated presidential palace last week. The protest was organized completely through text messages.

When President Joseph Estrada was forced from office in 2001, he bitterly complained that the popular uprising against him was a "coup de text."

"When Estrada was ousted, we realized the power of texting," said Palatino, president of a national youth party. "Since then we have never stopped using it to advance our causes."

Posted by Buzz Webster at 01:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 23, 2006

Wikipedia: Reliable Resource for Politics?

Wikipedia has quickly become a popular source of information on politicians and political candidates.

The chief benefit of a wiki is that it’s easier to update than regular Web pages. With a wiki, you simply click on the Edit button of a live wiki page and make the required changes right there. For the most part, the site's information is credible. If it isn't, the site includes functions to debate information and resolve disputes.

As the mid-term election nears resolving disputes on Wikipedia has become common. Last week the site briefly banned all editing of entries done from computers linked to congressional offices, after staffers on several campaigns were caught editing profiles.

Among the Politicians spotlighted in the media for doctoring their Wikipedia bios are Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-MN), Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Rep. Jim Ryun (R-KS) and Sen. Sam Brownback (D-KS).

Some were caught erasing politically embarrassing facts and spinning their positions on issues, but it’s also the case that their political opponents change information online, straining Wikipedia's strength as a reliable resource.

"Our primary goal is neutrality," says Wayne Saewyc, a Wikipedia spokesman. But "in election years especially, people don't want the articles to be neutral."

As a user of the site I anticipate the information to be reliable and credible, but I tend to agree with Brian Hart, spokesman for Senator Brownback, "when a topic isn't controversial, it's a good source. With politics, it's like blogs: Everyone is trying to figure out the rules of the game."

Posted by Buzz Webster at 04:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 21, 2006

WWW. The World is Always Watching .Com

Gubernatorial candidate Christy Mihos' family enjoys each others' company and an occasional drink, is that so bad?

The Boston Herald recently reported that Christy's daughter Ashley posted a photo of the family raising shot glasses in a toast on her Facebook profile. The photo has since been removed, but not before the photo had made its way around cyberspace and onto desktops.

The toast was to celebrate young Christy's (also in the photo, along with mom) 21st birthday. But a copy of the Boston Herald shown sitting on the table suggests that perhaps the family was actually toasting Christy Mihos' high profile appearance on the cover.

My question is, why do we care? Why is it that a family cannot be allowed to have a drink in honor of a brother's birthday, or a father's success, and post those pictures where they want to?

Jeff Roe on his conservative blog “The Source” says the Internet is the place to go to dig for dirt. “Candidates, and children of candidates - their Facebook and MySpace pages are the first thing we check,” Roe said. “It falls right in there with tax and voting records.”

So perhaps one's decision on whom to vote for in the gubernatorial race should be influenced by the candidates preference on beer (the Mihoses enjoy Sam Adams, I myself am an Amstel Light fan) rather than on his position on primary issues. Because that is what this is, right? It’s a distraction from the real issues.

But, in the internet-political world one must just learn to be very very careful. Phil Noble told the Herald “I think every politician and everyone related to them should put a little note next to the ‘enter’ button of their computer that says: ‘How will this look on the front page of the paper?’”

Well, I think the photo would make a great cover.

Herald Article

Related Blog

Posted by Buzz Webster at 04:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 18, 2006

YouTube Crucial to Campaigns

As the midterm election campaign season it heating up YouTube has become critical to many political campaigns.

This week, the site made one of its most crucial political broadcasts with a video of Sen. George Allen referring to an opponent's volunteer, who is of Indian descent, as a "macaca" during a campaign event in Virginia.

A macaca is a Southeast Asian monkey. The Wikipedia entry on macaca has already been updated to include the controversy and that video has been one of the most-viewed clips on YouTube, with more than 70,000 viewings.

But Allen isn’t the only over-clicked politician on YouTube.

A search for Ned Lamont, King of the NetRoots, produces more than 200 videos -- some of which are official campaign ads and others are homemade hit jobs.

One of the most popular clips about the Lieberman-Lamont race is titled "Dear Joe: A GOP Love Letter." It has been viewed more than 32,000 times since it was posted Aug. 1. The clip features dozens of conservatives such as Bill O'Reilly of Fox News and religious broadcaster the Rev. Pat Robertson praising Mr. Lieberman--not exactly an endorsement from the Democratic primary.

As the midterm election near keep an eye on YouTube it may make or break more than one election this fall.

August 16, 2006

Senator Allen Makes Slip or Slur?

S.R. Sidarth, a UVA senior of Indian decent, had no idea when he began volunteering for Democrat James Webb this summer that his race would become an issue in the campaign race.

With the task of videotaping opponent Senator George Allen’s “Listening Tour”, Sidarth’s raw footage has become one of the most frequently played clips on YouTube.com.

In the footage Allen clearly singles out the Webb campaigner calling him "Macaca," which literally means a genus of monkey. Was it a deliberate racist epithet or a weird ad-libbed word with no meaning?

Allen said his remarks to Sidarth, "have been greatly misunderstood by members of the media." He said Monday that "Macaca" was a play on "Mohawk," a nickname given to Sidarth by the Allen campaign because of his hairstyle.

Allen has made attempts to make amends with both Sidarth and the Indian community.

Sidarth, who was “shocked” to have been singled out has been in the national spotlight and hopes that Allen will make a personal apology.

Democrats, left-wing bloggers, and civil rights groups called him "insensitive" and "racist," while some conservatives called him "foolish" and "mean." A whole lot more is being said according to Technorati; the Virginia senate campaign controversy has become one of the most-blogged about topics on the Internet.

Allen to Meet with Indian Community leaders

Sen. Allen's Remarks Spark Controversy

Posted by Buzz Webster at 04:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 14, 2006

He’s got the Right Blog, Baby

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has begun his own blog while Iranian censors continue to harass and arrest liberal Iranian bloggers.

According to Reporters without Borders Annual Report, of the 13 journalists and bloggers arrested in 2005, 5 were still being held at the beginning of this year. RSF has reported over a dozen incidents of arrests and other infringements of human rights against journalists this year in Iran, including Ayfer Serçe, whose recent death is believed to be linked with her work as a journalist.

Iranian authorities censor all sorts of online content ranging from sex, international politics, local gambling, chat rooms and any other topic that makes the government uneasy.

Blogger Sayeed Habibi, whose blog (in Arabic only) is still up and running, fears that he may soon see the inside of a jail cell for his expressions against the Iranian Theocracy. According to the Associated Press, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, a prominent human rights lawyer, estimates at least 50 bloggers have been detained since last year.

But there’s a new blogger in town, and it’s doubtful that he will be censored. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s first blog entry consisted of a two thousand word autobiography as well as a poll asking if Iranians believe that the U.S. and Israel are attempting to trigger a new world war. Over 10,000 people visited the blog during the first day it was posted.

Many citizens believe the blog to simply be a publicity stunt. During an interview with the AP, blogger Keivan Mehrgan reported "Ahmadinejad used to have nothing to do with the internet and even talked against journalists and bloggers before he became president.”

Posted by Buzz Webster at 03:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 11, 2006

The Blogosphere: The Force of 2006

Blogs may made their influential debut in the 2004 elections but they're taking over in 2006.

2006 campaigns highlighted for their use of the liberal blogosphere include Montana U.S. Senate candidate Jon Tester and Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate Bob Casey, both Democrats. Tester’s official campaign website links to 17 sites that host blogs, including the Daily Kos. Casey has also entered the network; his website hosts a blog written by the candidate.

Ned Lamont, a little known political novice, was able to mobilize the Internet grass-roots movement called “Netroots” and some credit these liberal Internet activists for the win over incumbent Sen. Joe Lieberman.

YearlyKos, a national bloggers' convention in Las Vegas in June, attracted politicians like Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and former Virginia Governor Mark Warner.

While these online liberal activists are certainly a force to be reckoned with they also have their share of critics. Since blogs are not covered by campaign finance laws and regulations the bloggers can spend what they want and say what they please.

“People who visit political blogs are generally political junkies with big social networks. They have an influence that is disproportionate to their size," said Carol Darr, director of the Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet at George Washington University. “I think they are a force to stay.”

As more voters tune out the TV and turn to the Internet for news, information and entertainment, blogging campaigns could become the most influential medium of the 2006 midterm election.

Related Articles:

Blogs Offer Arena for Political Attacks

Unregulated Blogs Promote Wild Political Rumors

Liberal Bloggers Come to the Fore

Posted by Buzz Webster at 02:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 09, 2006

Ned Lamont Wins With Netroots

Eight months ago little known Connecticut cable company millionaire Ned Lamont decided to run against 18 year incumbent Senator Joe Lieberman.

With an anti war message and 4 million dollars the political neophyte won the Democratic primary with 52% of the vote.
Ned Lamont was able to do what many politicians will aim to do in upcoming elections. He integrated old school politics and an internet grassroots movement called “Netroots.” Lamont’s campaign was able to mobilize the support of liberal online bloggers in addition to local homegrown activists. In the weeks leading up to the election the blogosphere was abuzz with doctored photos, video clips, and rumors of hacking.
This same focus on technology and the liberal blogosphere were credited with putting Howard Dean on the political map in 2004 but that feat seemed to lack a major component: turning Internet financial, moral and organizational support into a winning campaign. And Ned Lamont has succeeded in doing just that.
However, the loss doesn’t mean saying goodbye to Joe. Without the endorsement of the Democratic Party, Veteran Senator Lieberman has already vowed to run on the Independent ticket in November.
Ned Lamont and his “Netroots” will face Republican Candidate Alan Schlesinger and perhaps Senator Joe Lieberman, again, in November.

Lamont Relied On Net Roots -- And Grass Roots
Lieberman to Stay in Race After Defeat
Joe's Foe a Deep-Pocketed Novice

Posted by Buzz Webster at 01:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 07, 2006

Checks and Balances for Negative Ads?

The Dick DeVos(MI-R) for Governor campaign has added a new section to its already featured packed Web site.

The feature, called Ad Check, allows viewers to view fact-checked versions of both the DeVos campaign's and the opposition's political ads. The fact checks are superimposed over the ads as they play and links to the sources cited in each fact check are provided.

Ad Check sounds like an innovative way to for Michigan residents to make more informed decisions during this year's elections by avoiding the influence of negative campaigning. You can view the new feature by visiting DeVos' site and clicking "Ad Check" near the bottom left of your screen. If the feature works well, perhaps more sites can use the technology to help voters from all states more educated voting decisions!

Posted by Buzz Webster at 09:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 04, 2006

The Blog-Tail Wags the Dog

In support of Ned Lamont, several of the nation’s most well respected liberal bloggers have turned their blogs into Joe Lieberman-bashing political rants.

There's no question about the fact that Ned Lamont's staunch anti-war crusade is driving his candidacy to the top, 65 percent of the Democrats backing Lamont in the latest Quinnipiac poll say they're voting against Joe Lieberman. However, Lamont is also being boosted by a frenzied, jostling, and raging online grassroots movement that may be controlling more of his campaign than he is.

David Segal of the Washington-Post perhaps said it best: “Listen to the Joe-haters, (and) read the pro-Lamont blogs, and you imagine a bunch of torch-bearing villagers who just got a map to the castle.”

The Lieberman forces have not been dormant online though far less effective. They have launched an anti-Lamont site called MeetNed.com.

Unquestionably, the blogosphere has helped boost Ned Lamont into Joe Lieberman's worst nightmare. And, some observers are saying the blogs have ‘gone too far’ and are asking who’s running the show? Is the blog-tail waging this dog?

Perhaps they have, but it’s going to get a lot more confusing and chaotic before we all figure out this new media and how to use it in politics…welcome to the Revolution.

Other Famous Bloggers Backing Lamont (or Bashing Lieberman):

DailyKos

My Direct Democracy

Political Wire

Candidate Web Sites:

Ned Lamont

Joe Lieberman

Posted by Buzz Webster at 01:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 02, 2006

Castro’s Condition Means Changes In Cuba

The blogosphere is afire with news and speculation for President Fidel Castro's condition and Cuba’s next chapter.

The official statement, suspiciously made by the regime, cites a surgery for stress related intestinal bleeding. With Castro’s condition a “state secret” power has been transferred to Raul Castro, brother and chosen successor. Cuban officials claim that Fidel's leave is temporary, but bloggers anticipate a more permanent change.
Given the possibility of a regime change bloggers internationally are talking about what his death could mean for Cuban-American citizens, Florida politics, and Cuban foreign Policy. Val Prieto at Babalu, a Miami-based blog and home of the ongoing Castro Croaking Contest, guesses that this time the rumors might be true:

"I should note, for those of you that arent very familiar with fidel castro's deaths, that this is the first time where actual reports on castro's health were made publicly to the Cuban people via Cuban media."

In any event we will keep you posted on Fidel Castro's condition and Cuba's uncertain future.

Posted by Buzz Webster at 01:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)