Analysis of Barack Obama's use of the Internet
From digmovements
[edit] Barack Obama and the Internet
Obama’s campaign has also done a very good job of utilizing the Internet. Instead of using the Internet as an open forum and online movement of sorts, Obama’s campaign saw the Internet as an untapped market and utilized it. Obama’s utilization of the Internet has allowed him to surpass Clinton in donation dollars. In January alone, Obama raised $36 million, around 4/5 of it from online donations.[1] Obama went about gaining Internet support in a more traditional way than Paul. Obama recognized early on that the Internet was going to have an influence on this election unlike any other. Obama started by forming teams for his Internet campaign under the new media section of his campaign, which is headed by Joe Rospars, who was the brainchild behind Dean’s online campaign in 2004. He has a technology team that works on the design and layout of his website and provides ways for Obama supporters to get involved through his website. He also has a video team that records all of his speeches and posts them on YouTube.
[edit] Obama's use of Social Networking sites
Early on, Obama started a blog off on his website that is maintained by campaign members and keeps followers informed on what’s happening on the campaign trail. Furthermore he has started his own social networking site of sorts with my.barackobama.com, which allows users to start accounts on his site and interact with fellow Obama supporters, blog about issues that concern them, and to find out about events organized by Obama’s campaign or Obama supporters. Obama’s use of social networking is revolutionary; Obama even has a staff member who is in charge of pro-Obama groups on sites like Facebook and MySpace. [2]
[edit] A Promise Kept
At the begining of his campaign, Obama made a promise to not receive funding from lobbyists, political action committees, people under the age of 16, and foreign agents.[3] A promise that would normally spell disaster for a candidate, but Barack has managed to stay true to his word by utilizing online fundraising so well.
- ↑ Tumulty, Karen. "Obama's Viral Marketing Campaign." Time Magazine 16 July 2007: 38-39.
- ↑ Holahan, Catherine. "On the Web, Obama is the Clear Winner." Business Week Online 5 Mar. 2008. <http://www.businessweek.com/>.
- ↑ Sweet, Lynn. "Obama Begins Fund-Raising Drive." Chicago Sun-Times 1 Feb. 2007. <http://www.suntimes.com/>.
