The Internet, Media and Politics

Several people submitted an interesting column on Davenet about the differences in methodologies of the Dean campaign and other primary campaigns. Of course, the analogy doesn't have to be strictly Dean - it can apply to any candidate who breaks from the traditional norms of campaigning. and while I think people have been saying since 1996 that this is the year of the Internet in politics, for me this is the first *real* use of the Internet in a meaningful way. In any case, the question of productization in politics is a very real one, and should be discussed.

Comments

Re:Yeah, well...

[Tuxedo Jack]

Why the hell was this modded funny? I'm serious. I got phone spam from Talmadge Heflin back when he ran in 2000, and I expect it to get worse this year.

Re:Yeah, well...

[lukewarmfusion]

I remember: "Barbara Bush" called damn near everyone I know. The last thing I want to hear when I get home from my taxpaying - I'm sorry, working - is a recording of an old lady telling me to vote for so and so or give more of my money to whatever.

Re:Dean

[nanojath]

This article (too lazy to code in a link so you'll have to cut-n-paste) gives an interesting analysis from a Dean supporter who was caught by surprise by the faltering of his campaign in the aftermath of initial primaries. He gives a very credible analysis of why the Dean campaign succeeded beyond expectations in the non-traditional campaign and fundraising environment of the internet only to become seriously mired in the very meatspace reality of primary politics. Worth a read.

http://www.corante.com/many/archives/2004/02/03/ ex iting_deanspace.php

Re:Internet just makes it easier for those who car

[orthogonal]

http://www.nationalreview.com/york/york20040122083 5.asp
"The publication Congressional Quarterly examined 119 recorded votes held in 2003 in which the president had taken a position. CQ found that Kerry was present for just 28 percent of those votes. In contrast, Kerry's colleague from Massachusetts, Ted Kennedy, was present for 97 percent of the votes."

Wyatt, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you're not trying to dupe Slashdot, but the you've been duped by the National Review.

But whether you're a dupe or a Republican sock puppet, you're disingenuously misrepresenting Senator Kerry.

You mention that both Kerry and his dad were volunteers, but what you don't mention is that both Kerry and his Dad had prostate cancer.

Senator Kerry's father died from prostate cancer.

Senator Kerry's own prostate cancer was in -- surprise -- 2003. (He announced it a little less than a year ago today., on February 12, 2003.)

So yeah, he may have only been present for 28% of whatever subset of votes Congressional Quarterly was analyzing -- because he had cancer and at the same time he was running for his party's nomination for President.

In that light, I think showing up for more than a quarter of the votes sounds pretty hardworking, if not heroic.

Re:No one was harassed

[Mr. Slippery]

Don't spread the myth. The only ones who were harassed or arrested were the ones who engaged in violence, criminal trespass, or other actions which went beyond speaking their minds.

Bullshit.

You're the one spreading a myth, bud. A few minutes with Google puts the lie to your claim:

• mass arrests in San Francisco
• Brett Bursey was arrested for "trespassing" while on public property with an antiwar sign - and is now facing federal charges
• Thomas C. Frazier arrested for trying to carry an anti-war sign
• Anti-war veterns not allowed to march
• Protestors arrested after violating unconstitutional restraint of demonstrations in Lafayette Park
• Protestor beaten in Santa Cruz

The Progressive has a page dedicated to the New McCarthyism.

Re:Of course he likes the internet

[Politburo]

That speech is years old, and Dr. Dean no longer agrees with that position.