Since my dust up a few weeks back, I’ve really been thinking a lot about the role of the Web and social media in the current presidential election. Certainly I’d love to see a better, deeper personal connection between the candidates and voters via social media, but I’m not sure how realistic that is. When you’re speaking every day, across multiple states, in front of audiences of thousands, I really don’t hold it against you that you personally are not writing each and every blog post.
I just got an update email from the Obama Campaign listing all the Web and social media activities the campaign has in place. Keep in mind this is only one of the multiple candidates.
Further consider that the high point of social media in the last presidential campaign was Howard Dean’s blog and Meetup.com usage. The campaign cycle for that barely had web sites. Considering that U.S. politics is largely unchanged from what it was 100 years ago, that’s not bad!
MEET BARACK
Watch a brief video and learn about Barack’s early years, his education, his work as a community organizer and civil rights attorney, and his years in the Illinois and U.S. Senate. This is a great introduction to share with your friends:
http://my.barackobama.com/meetBarackOFFICIAL CAMPAIGN BLOG
Catch up on the latest news, photos, and videos from the campaign trail and share your thoughts on our official campaign blog:
http://my.barackobama.com/blogISSUES
Learn more about Barack’s positions on a variety of issues, from his opposition to the war in Iraq to his plan for universal health care:
http://my.barackobama.com/issuesFACTCHECK ACTION CENTER
Barack Obama stands for a new kind of politics — without the smear tactics that we’re all fed up with. You can help push back against negative attacks and distortions right now by telling people about Barack and his background. The truth is only as strong as your voice:
http://my.barackobama.com/factcheckactionVIDEOS
Watch a few of the more than 500 videos from the campaign trail on our YouTube channel:
http://my.barackobama.com/youtubechannelOBAMA MOBILE
Our movement is ready to go wherever you are. Text HOPE to 62262 (OBAMA) to receive text updates on your mobile phone and advance notice about local Obama events:
http://my.barackobama.com/mobileORGANIZING
Barack Obama got his start as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago, and since he declared his candidacy in 2007, a nationwide network of supporters have taken this campaign into their own hands, organizing online and their local communities. Here are some ways to get involved:LOCAL GROUPS AND EVENTS
My.BarackObama is an organizing tool that empowers you to take this campaign into your own hands. Connect with other supporters in your area and find out about local events, or create your own organizing group and schedule your own events:
http://my.barackobama.comSPREAD THE WORD
Introduce your friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers to Barack Obama. Let them know why you support Barack and encourage them to join our movement for change:
http://my.barackobama.com/inviteBLOGS
There are more than 25,000 supporter created blogs on My.BarackObama where they chronicle their campaign experience and interact with other supporters. Find one for your community or launch your own today:
http://my.barackobama.comNATIONAL CALL TEAM
More than 200,000 phone calls have been made by volunteers using our online calling tool. Sign up for our National Call Team and you can reach out to supporters all over the country from your home:
http://my.barackobama.com/callteamPOSTERS, FLYERS, AND ORGANIZING RESOURCES
Print your own posters, flyers, fact sheets, supporter cards, and dozens of other resources from our online resource library:
http://my.barackobama.com/resourcesCOMMUNITIES
Women for Obama and People of Fatih for Obama are just two of the many communities large and small supporting Barack Obama. Explore a few of them them here:
http://www.barackobama.com/peopleFUNDRAISING
Barack Obama does not accept donations from Washington lobbyists or special interest groups. Instead, we depend on a network of grassroots supporters giving whatever they can afford.PERSONAL FUNDRAISING PAGE
Take the fundraising process into your own hands. Help support the campaign by reaching out to people you know and asking them to give through your personal fundraising page:
http://my.barackobama.com/outreachMATCH SOMEONE’S DONATION
This campaign has always been about reaching as many people as possible and bringing them into the political process. When you make a matching donation you’ll learn the name and hometown of the person whose gift you match, and even exchange a note with them through our unique system:
https://donate.barackobama.com/matchSTORE
Let everyone in your community know that you support Barack. All purchases through our online store go to support our campaign and are considered political donations. Show your support in style:
http://store.barackobama.com
