Never Say I Didn't Do Anything for the Democratic Left
This election cycle, the candidates are beginning to get a glimpse of what they could do with the internet, if they'd just get away from the tyranny of the television. And unfortunately, it's the Democrats who are closest to catching the Cluetrain. Dammit, Rove, why aren't you returning my calls?
Exhibit A is the John Kerry for President News Reader, a nifty little app that sits in your in tray and informs you whenever there's something new from the Kerry Blog or his left-wing mouthpieces. As if you're some obsessed teenager and he's your favorite pop star.
The internet's great strength as a technology--as a social technology, not just RSS, XML, and any other acronym you care to spout--is that it generates a sense of involvement, participation, interest. The viewer is an active participant, and with the right tools you can make him part of the team. Dean did so well because out of every ten Dean voters he'd earned a disciple, a 'Deaniac' who even now isn't quite reconciled with the square-jawed cookie-cutter from Massachusetts. (Ambimb, anyone?) That kind of--dare I say it--passion doesn't come from TV ads, even if your teeth gleam like John Edwards.
(Link from Dennis Kennedy)