Should Hillary Clinton be more cyber savvy?
Posted by Ellee on Feb 9, 2007 in Uncategorized | 15 comments
Could Hillary Clinton’s bid to win the Democratic presidential nomination hinge on how cyber savvy she is in the face of “web insurgents”?
That is the claim made in today’s Times by Joe Trippi, the strategic guru who helped to drive Howard Dean to the brink of the Democratic nomination in 2004. He predicts that Barack Obama or another candidate will ride an even bigger wave across cyberspace and, perhaps, into the White House.
“Clinton is running a scripted by-the-numbers campaign. Her problem is that because she is so strong, she will not take risks and that will encourage other candidates to be bolder and more open with the internet.�
There is even a social networking site devoted to signing up 1 million supporters for Obama by 12 March – and Trippi is confident it will succeed, a staggering 250,000 signed up in three weeks.
Hillary Clinton, by contrast, has been operating through carefully screened web “chats� and has signed up more than 100,000 supporters in the first 48 hours after her site went live.
John Edwards, who most believe is third in the race for the Democratic nomination, has been the most active on the internet, with his website featuring chatty blogs from him, his wife, Elizabeth, and their daughter, Cate.
I am fascinated to see how American politicians are actively using social media for their political campaigning. However, can Hillary Clinton break her carefully crafted mould to embrace a more open and interactive style? Would it suit her personality? The lesser known Obama could find it the perfect way to reach out to new supporters who decide they like what they see in cyberspace.
I doubt that she will be able to ‘bend’…she joins the dots…and is unbendable. I personally doubt she will make it to the White House. I hear today that Obama has put his hand up…I doubt he will make it either. He’s not experienced enough. The Americans may be fed up with Bush and will vote against him as a ‘disenchanted’ vote as they did in the county/state elections, but I seriously have my doubts about Hitlery Clinton stepping through the door again…and if she did, does that make Bill First Lady? She is running a dull campaign because she is dull…leopards don’t change their spots.
PS! Jim and Ellee,
You are both getting runcible! we lost one match…. as I said about english cricket
“A stopped watch is right…. twice a day!!!”
Hmmmmnph!
I think we all have to be prepared to work hard on the internet. Its the way of the future for so many parts of our lives, work, politics, social.
My boss is hopeless.. I do not think he knows even how to turn a computer on.. we are showing signs of suffering as a result.
American system is simple Jim:- all you need is a bucket of money, and a family that is prepared to back you, a link to the illuminate… and hey presto. I think only about 25% of the American population vote…scary stuff really….
Well I predict HC as next president, I might even have a flutter. The Yanks are fed up of Bush, they’ve seen through Cheenie Inc, they want a change (a bit like we do here), who can blame them? We’re fed up of tony sounding like a broken record, why shouldn’t they be fed up of George W?
Is George Soros still funding HC? What are her favourite think-tanks? Anyone know?
Jim, My son was pleased with the cricket result, he almost missed his train into Cambridge for his lessons as he was so engrossed.
The snow has melted, the excitement is over for another year or two. Here’s hoping to a good rugby result too, I have been to Twickenham a couple of times.
The American electoral system never fails to baffle me!
Looks like you’ve had all the lovely crisp white snow down there; up here it’s wall to wall rain and sleet, totally mucky. Was going birdwatching but I think I’ll stay in and watch Jonny help England to thrash Italy in the Rugby.
Ellee, if you want to taunt Simon about the cricket yesterday, please be my guest! Be as runcible as you like
Its fascinating to read the daily kos in this context- where Edwards and Obama and Clark are running ahead but Hillary is behind.
errr…Howard Dean, with his internet hyped backing, crashed and burned last time?
let’s just hope for the sake of the world that Hillary’s campaign falls over sometime spectacularly, soon.
HRC is running a terribly dull campaign by all accounts. ‘still don’t think Obama or Edwards will be the Democratic nominee. I am not at all convinced of the power of cyberspace on the political process (at least, as far as the present is concerned). The Howard Dean internet effort was probably the only way he could raise money or galvanise his supporters- very much a lack of any alternative in his case.
It will be very interesting to see what happens. You never know what a lady who can sign books as fast as HC might do next!
You mentioned Joe Trippi, the strategic guru who helped to drive Howard Dean, well Dean well and truly messed up his campaign with his “Tom Harkin” Speech! This was a little like Kinnocks speech at the Sheffield Rally.
Cyber space can help promote your good points, but when you do something bad it’s always going to be around to haunt you and remind people of your inability.
Hillary will use the cyber space, but in name only! Personally I think she has too much history with the country to actually make a strong run for the presidency.
Sorry to say but reptilian hearted people like her can’t be savvy. they can only do it by the numbers. Check Girlpower tomorrow evening, Lady Ellee.
Cyberspace is important in America for lining up supporters and money. It provides a place where “content” can be shown so no one can say that a politician is merely spouting slogans. It certainly gives an underdog a platform — if it can catch on — from which to attract attention.
But as for Lady Hillary? I don’t know that this analogy is entirely correct but consider whether John Lennon is to Bill Clinton as Yoko is to Hillary.
And — despite my assertions to the contrary in your comments a little while back — there is a supposed push (in cyberspace!) to get Al Gore into the 2008 race. I do hope it will come to naught… but one rumor has him announcing at the Oscar ceremonies!
Not sure if that went thorugh Ellee , sorry if I`ve made a mess of your lovely blog
I had no idea cyber space was so important stateside. It will be interesting to see what difference it makes at the next General election here. It feels to me as if everything has changed since last time