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Yes He Can. Obama Uses Web to Transition into Whitehouse |
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The team behind Barack Obama’s presidential campaign set the bar for how the Internet will be leveraged in future elections. But already the president-elect is demonstrating the effectiveness of the Internet in maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the electorate.
His transition team has erected the Change.gov Web site, which according to an introductory blog is designed to be a source for the latest news, events and announcements regarding the setting up of the Obama administration.
“Change.gov provides resources to better understand the transition process and the decisions being made as part of it,” the blog states. “It also offers an opportunity to be heard about the challenges our country faces and your ideas for tackling them.”
The challenges faced by the new president are among the most formidable in recent memory, from the economy to the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. For that reason, his use of the Internet and various Web 2.0 technologies will garner tremendous interest at home and abroad.
The Web site features links to video broadcasts of Obama speeches, including his election night victory speech before thousands in Chicago’s Grant Park. It also features links to a weekly Democratic radio broadcast.
In an attempt to maintain the excitement of the election campaign, the site features an “American Moments” section where people are encouraged to share their election stories and their visions for the future. You can also apply for a job with the new Obama administration by filling out an expression of interest form, which the site promises will be followed up in a few days with a link to a more complete online application.
Clearly, the Obama campaign won the battle of the Internet during the election and now it wants to use the medium to continue the conversation, like an electronic fireside chat. It will be interesting and critical to see how the next Republican campaign responds to this threat.
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