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View Full Version : Is Ron Paul Leading the Political Internet Revolution?




Bradley in DC
07-11-2007, 09:13 PM
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/309627/analysis_is_ron_paul_leading_the_political.html

Recent studies by the Pew Research Center confirm that an increasing number of Americans are using the internet to gain information about their favorite political candidates, including internet favorite Ron Paul.

However, Michael Cornfield and Pew researchers find that while more voters are using the internet as a political tool, the internet has not yet transformed the political process as some critics may have thought it would. Their analysis finds that experts thought that the internet would provide better (and cheaper) communication between candidates and the electorate. Instead, Pew states that many feel "the internet only hardens our views, polarizes our politics and contributes to the nation's red and blue divides." Will Ron Paul become the candidate who brings the electorate together through a grassroots internet campaign?

The Pew research finds that the internet has helped candidates to raise awareness regarding their campaigns, but that traditional media forms such as television and newspapers are still dominating the political front. The research finds that candidates such as Ron Paul are using the internet to increase their fundraising efforts, but are using the money raised online to support "traditional" promotional efforts such as television advertising. This internet awareness seems to be particularly important for "back of the pack" candidates such as Paul as GOP frontrunner Rudy Giuliani has only a fraction of Ron Paul's internet support.

Note that Ron Paul critics have cried that Ron Paul supporters are guilty of spamming to promote their candidate. Interestingly, the Pew analysis finds that email, which is the most common means of transporting spam, was found to be a minimal source of spreading campaign news. Indeed, little if anything has been said regarding to use of email by the Ron Paul campaign to support their candidate.

The Pew analysis also states that the candidates attempting to lead the internet political revolution will perhaps use "mobile applications" to keep in touch with their supporters. The Ron Paul campaign has already put themselves on track to keep up with the latest innovations by creating an "iPhone Headquarters" for supporters.

The Pew analysis concludes with the following statement: "Looking ahead, it's clear that the Internet's role in politics will continue evolving as the technology improves and users continuously adapt it for new purposes. And someday, the iconic internet president may emerge, dominating the medium like FDR did with radio and JFK and Ronald Reagan did with television." Certainly, Ron Paul supporters hope that their candidate will become the "iconic internet president" which Pew refers to.

Sources:

http://pewresearch.org/pubs/85/the-internet-and-politics-no-revolution-yet

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/282540/ron_paul_internet_success_may_reflect.html