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I’m going to cover some interesting examples of the use of new-new media in politics right now. We’ve read a lot recently about how bloggers and political operatives are using new tools to organize and polarize. Here’s a 20 second tour of the political web right now:
1) The “YouTube election� at work
An article in the New York Times spoke about the upcoming promise of the “You Tube� election. My dear friend Michael Bassik was quoted talking about the current audience for YouTube and video sharing sites (youngsters) but I suspect such media are going to be powerful to all demographics when the election season heats up.
At the Democratic National Committee, Chairman Howard Dean is already using it: Governor Dean from the DNC meeting (hey, it’s cheaper than buying airtime, right?)
Indeed, one can already see the fruits of YouTube and blogs bearing fruit. This free online video tool has the potential to displace paid ads as a massively powerful way to spread video clips. It can also be destructive, as Virginia Senatorial candidate George Allen learned when his racist taunting (see Macaca- those Jim Webb campaign smarties seem to have even bought a Google ad word for the term, leading directly to the YouTube video of Allen) was captured on video this week.
Conservative blogger Mary Katherine Ham is having none of the Macaca brouhaha. She’s building her own zoo at Townhall and filling in for Michelle Malkin at Hot Air. I’m not a fan of these ladies’ politics, but they do have a sense of humor.
Speaking of right wing blogs, EMILY’s List candidate Claire McCaskill is becoming the target of a negative coverage for alleged drug use and a federal investigation. Watch these local news clips. Watching news on the Web is somehow much more convincing than reading the same subject matter on a politically biased blog.
2) “Swiftboating� now a term in the vernacular: for a targeted smear campaign using local and online media
Taylor Marsh has an interesting post on what she assumes will be conservatives' upcoming “swiftboating� of 9-11 widow Kristen Breitweiser as she releases a new book about her political awakening. Breitweiser was the target of attacks from Ann Coulter, who accused her of using her husband’s death on 9-11 for personal and political gain. It’s a vile concept. I had the opportunity to work with Kristen and her compatriots during the 2004 election cycle. These women were grieving, but they used their grief to effect real change. I look forward to her book.
3) Ben, Jerry and America’s families use online organizing
but by far, the most family-friendly use of new new media goes to this new action campaign from Ben & Jerrys:
http://www.benjerry.com/americanpie/
It’s like reading lots of ice cream cartons- but for social justice!
