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Howard Rheingold on Using the Internet in Politics

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the got-net? dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "The latest issue of BusinessWeek Magazine, dated March 29, 2004, contains a special report, 'Click The Vote,' which states that 'in the age of Internet politics, the Web can make or break a candidate.' The online version of this report includes an interview of Howard Rheingold, 'A Major Change in the Political Equation.' This overview contains selected excerpts about what is the essential impact of the Internet on politics today or what are the benefits to using the Internet in politics. Finally, if you want to discover the universe of Smart Mobs, be sure to visit regularly the Smart Mobs collective weblog."

2 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Not ready for prime time. by GPLDAN · · Score: 3, Informative

    I agree with the Bowler. Rheingold may wish it to be so, but there is no concrete proof that it helps a candidate get elected.

    What there is evidence of, is that it is a new source of fundraising. The stat that everyone is buzzing about in the beltway, is how far that Dean lowered the average campaign contribution to. I don't have the number, and can't find it right now, but I think it's down around $60 or so. Kerry wants desperately to figure out a way to fundraise via the net, expect something BIG from the Democrats regarding this around the time of the convention. I'm predicting they are going to all out with a "flash"y website and Paypal integration, as much as they figure out how to do.

  2. Re:Not ready for prime time. by Howard+Rheingold · · Score: 3, Informative

    >Rheingold may wish it to be so...

    You might be interested in this:

    http://www.smartmobs.com/archives/002611.html