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John McCain admits he is a not a techno-geek and barely knows how to use the Internet. Barak Obama is seen with fingers flying on his BlackBerry when he travels and has raised millions of dollars using the Internet. The technology gap between the two men has raised a considerable amount of discussion of late. How important is what the candidates say about technology? How important is the role of technology in the plans, platforms, proposals and agendas that the two campaign about? How important is it that the President is technologically savvy?
John McCain's website does not have a section specifically for technology issues. Technology is referred to in McCain's statements on other issues such as energy and business. You can interpret and draw conclusions about technology based on what he says about other topics. Barak Obama's website has a section for technology where he spells how his positions precisely.
I had a hard time trying to put together a side by side comparison on technology issues for this post, because McCain's position is harder to find. Take a look at Barak Obama's website for his positions, and I'll try to help you through some other resources about McCain's positions.
First, let's take a look at some general ideas about technology's role in life and politics.
Pew Internet and American Life Project has published a number of reports and studies that show that Internet usage continues to penetrate every aspect of American Life. In 2006, a Pew study showed that about 133 million adults are Internet users. Should our President be one of them? Does tech-savviness make a difference as to who should get your vote? Does it even matter that one candidate is a self-described Neanderthal in terms of technology?
Technology does play more and more into how campaigns are conducted. Both McCain and Obama have large websites. McCain doesn't "get it" himself, but he obviously hires people who do. Is that enough? Or is it more important that he is plainly out of touch with technology?
Candidates for other offices are using the Internet more than ever. A recent study by The Bivins Group documented how the candidates for Senate are using technology. The report, The Use of the Internet by 2008 Senate Campaigns found, among other things, that
- Incumbents are using the web more aggressively than they have in past cycles.
- There is no real difference in the way Republicans and Democrats are using their campaign websites.
- Many candidates are advertising their presences on third-party social networks on their campaign websites.
An issue that BlogHers have followed for some time is that of Net Neutrality. The FCC recently made news by voting to punish Comcast and uphold an open Internet. What are the candidates opinions on this issue?
Obama's site says,
Protect the Openness of the Internet: A key reason the Internet has been such a success is because it is the most open network in history. It needs to stay that way. Barack Obama strongly supports the principle of network neutrality to preserve the benefits of open competition on the Internet.
I couldn't find anything about it on McCain's site using the search feature. In January, he did answer a question about it for CNET news where he said,
In general, I believe that we need to move to a different model for enforcing competition on the Internet. Its focus should be on policing clearly anticompetitive behavior and consumer predation. In such a dynamic and innovative setting, it is not desirable for regulators to be required to anticipate market developments, intervene in the market, and try to micromanage American business and innovation.
In the same CNET interview, McCain commented on the need for increased broadband access, saying,
I have been a leading advocate in the Senate for seeking market-based solutions to increasing broadband penetration. We should place the federal government in the role of stimulator, rather than regulator, of broadband services, remove state and local barriers to broadband deployment, and facilitate deployment of broadband services to rural and underserved communities.
On the Obama website, Obama comments about the same issue, saying,
Barack Obama believes that America should lead the world in broadband penetration and Internet access. As a country, we have ensured that every American has access to telephone service and electricity, regardless of economic status, and Obama will do likewise for broadband Internet access. Full broadband penetration can enrich democratic discourse, enhance competition, provide economic growth, and bring significant consumer benefits. Moreover, improving our infrastructure will
