Republicans and the Internets
Robert Bluey points out that Republican campaign staffs are outnumbered 3-to-1 compared to Democratic staffs when it comes to new-media types. As a result, Republican campaign efforts on the Internet -- let's say -- struggle.
Robert moderated a panel I was on last spring at the Heritage Foundation's Resources Bank in Philadelphia. I'm sure I said some wonderfully inspiring things during my presentation about Republican online outreach, but it was only in conversations immediately after the presentation that I learned the real reason Republicans struggle. Republican campaign operatives don't use or understand the Internet. They're an older bunch that doesn't have time for it. Too busy cranking out mimeographs, I guess.
Meanwhile, ActBlue alone has raised $25 million for Democrats. That's some juice flowing through the InterTubes.
To lift my sinking spirits, Robert introduced me to David All. First off, David is a force of nature. Second, he gets it. With the help of folks like David, I think Republicans will close the gap. But if they don't want to cede Internet politics to the Democrats in 2008, Republicans have a lot of ground to make up.
Robert moderated a panel I was on last spring at the Heritage Foundation's Resources Bank in Philadelphia. I'm sure I said some wonderfully inspiring things during my presentation about Republican online outreach, but it was only in conversations immediately after the presentation that I learned the real reason Republicans struggle. Republican campaign operatives don't use or understand the Internet. They're an older bunch that doesn't have time for it. Too busy cranking out mimeographs, I guess.
Meanwhile, ActBlue alone has raised $25 million for Democrats. That's some juice flowing through the InterTubes.
To lift my sinking spirits, Robert introduced me to David All. First off, David is a force of nature. Second, he gets it. With the help of folks like David, I think Republicans will close the gap. But if they don't want to cede Internet politics to the Democrats in 2008, Republicans have a lot of ground to make up.
posted by steve u. at 8/01/2007
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6 Comments:
Funny headline, and it's nice to know that there's one area in which we Dems are actually more organized than you Repubs.
I wouldn't call it organized, familiar would be more like it, or, even, just "not afraid".
However, it's important to note that Steve let it slip that his party is mostly old, mostly out of touch, and, if afraid of the internet, will probably die off soon. :)
JM,
Any group in the political arena that is not fully engaged on the Internet, is out of touch with a growing segment of the population. Since that segment tends to be somewhat young, then, yes, the group not using the Internet would be growing older -- missing the opportunity to add youth and energy.
I would worry that Republicans have no future at all -- but, then, I listen to John Edwards and say, "Yes, John, please broadcast that message far and wide across the Internets. Don't let them shut you up, Tiger!"
I don't know message in regard to Edwards you're making fun of, so I'll assume you're making a hair cut joke, shake my head woefully, and, a little sad for it, move on.
I think that Senator Gravel, however, shows what happens when old people use the internet. Have you seen his YouTube ads? Hilarious and disturbing.
Only the establishment fears change, not all R operatives. Even the D use of the internet is way behind the power curve. Glad Rep. U. is ready to lead us forward. Hope he can drag his peer with him.
Uh, right. Wasn't it the beleaguered GOP Sen. Ted Stevens who called the Internet a series of tubes and wires? Or something equally amusing...Funny post, though, Steve!
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