I "follow" Barack Obama’s Twitter feed. If you don’t know what that means, it’s okay (unless you happen to be a journalist). A few minutes ago the campaign "tweeted" that the senator was getting ready to speak in Springfield, Missouri and I could watch it live by clicking the included link.
It took me to the "live" page on the Obama website where a USTREAM player was feeding live video. As I write this there are 830 viewers. Only a fraction of the number watching on the cable news channels that might be airing this speech.
I mention this only because no "traditional media" were necessary to make this happen. The Obama campaign has an email address for each of the millions (?) of people who have contributed to his campaign. We all got a ping that he was about to speak.
[901 viewers]
I think this is huge. Sure, a campaign still need MSM to get elected. Today. Will that be as true four years from now? Will it be true at all 8 years from now?
[1,045 viewers]
Of course it is not just the live stream. This speech –and all of the others– will be available from now until election day. And beyond?
[1,095 viewers]
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I think if Obama wins he will change the way the President communicates with us. Using UStream and other web apps will only be the start.
I agree. I even sent them this idea (link below) but never heard back. Busy I guess.
http://www.smays.com/default/2008/03/obamawhitehouse.html
Another thing: I hope he takes his web guys with him to the White House.
Maybe a “web 2.0″ whitehouse.gov might help my generation be more involved in government.