Joho the Blog
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July 15, 2003
Howard Dean's blogs at Lessig's site have been straightforward and — from my point of view — right. I'm thrilled to hear a candidate addressing Net issues on the Net in a Netty way. And so, whether he expected it or not, he's now been dropped into the middle of the fray. The comments on the discussion board are all over the place from considered disagreements and thoughtful questions, to outright trolling and name calling. Has any presidential candidate ever in history been dropped into a free-for-all quite like this? Could it be any more different than Bush's scripted press conferences and tailored, crotch-enhancing photo opps? Democracy just got a little real-er. If I were Dean, I'd read the comment board as slashdot without the structure: ignore the thoughtless messages as if they had simply been trapped by the filter. People have a right to their opinions but conversational triage is in order. There's a lot to learn from some of the messages. There are some great questions. I'd be happy to see some members of his campaign staff replying if not Dean his own self. It'd be easy to read the bluster and invective as a failure of the system. Nah. It is the system. Welcome to the Internet, Governor Dean! You're making history not just with the Lessig guest blogging but with the wild conversation it's ignited. And lots of people are going to love you for it. Posted
by D. Weinberger at July 15, 2003 01:08 PM
TrackBackListed below are links to weblogs that reference A new type of presidential conversation:
» http://www.theobviousblog.net/blog/archives/000949.html from The Obvious? Tracked on July 16, 2003 11:01 AM
» The Connectivity Campaign from Howard Dean in 2004 ::: A weblog by Rick Klau Tracked on July 16, 2003 01:31 PM
» New features at the Dean blog from Howard Dean in 2004 ::: A weblog by Rick Klau Tracked on July 19, 2003 11:39 PM |
Comments
David,
While I tend to agree with you, I do offer another viewpoint as well, which is pretty much an ongoing theme beginning over on my blog. When it was announced that Dean would be guest-blogging, Joe Trippi responded to my comment directly and quickly. Since then, things with regard to his question on gaining credibility have gone very quiet.
As a result of that conversation and some potential interview suggestions, I'm watching closely.
I'm not a huge fan, nor a huge opponent of Larry Lessig. I disagree with much of his opinion, but also agree with much. I want very much to see Dean make a success of the grassroots efforts and using the Net. But I'm watching precisely what is said and done very closely and will be tracking progress quite independently of the mass of humanity over there.
Just an FYI. Cheers!
Posted by: Ken Camp | July 15, 2003 01:31 PM
Look's like we have a new Jacksonian democrat. And after inauguration, blogging might alleviate all the wear and tear on the White House carpeting.
BKMD
Posted by: Bill Koslosky, M.D. | July 15, 2003 01:36 PM
The Internet is here. It is the infrastructure upon which we communicate and work. It encompasses and accompanies the telephone. It is now parallel to and interwoven with our current structures and systems. It is where and how citizens can express what they feel and believe, what they buy and use.
Anyone who leads a country into a future that will always have this as the infrastructure must at a minimum have an informed point of view about its scope and how it functions - if not also clear intention and means of engaging with it, participating in its dynamics.
The Net is a defining element of America's place and role in an Age where information, awareness and knowledge are some of the core raw materials for a developmental orientation to life on Earth.
A President of the mightiest and dominant country in a world full of challenges should not ignore one of the most important new horizons of possibility encountered in a very long time here on Earth.
Posted by: Jon | July 15, 2003 08:18 PM
I would like to make a slightly off-topic observation. Suppose Dean wins the presidency using a combination of grassroots organizing and Internet communication. Suppose he does almost no TV advertising and still wins. Ok, Ok, a big if, but just imagine it.
In politics it will mean the death of the 30 second spot. But it would have implications for marketing as well. Why would a software company launch a huge advertising campaign if working with user groups and Internet communication was just as, or more effective?
What about other kinds of products? This could be a bigger threat to advertising than TIVO could ever hope to be.
Posted by: Alice Marshall | July 16, 2003 10:20 AM