OBAMA'S HEALTH CARE MESSAGE HARD TO CONTROL ONLINE
(CNN)
Since former Illinois senator Barack Obama announced his decision to run for the presidency what seemed like eons ago, he has become the hipster spokesperson for all things young and cool in politics. He's the president on a BlackBerry (which is apparently so fascinating it sparked this surprisingly hilarious literary gem, Obama's Blackberry)! He gives speeches on YouTube! It's a new era! The mindless youth of the nation give a shit! Hurrah! Yet, despite his grip on the current technological palooza, the messy health care debates have seemed to diminish his influence over the Internet community. According to the article itself, "The health care fight is the first time the U.S. has had a major policy debate where all sides are represented and haggling openly online, said Joe Trippi, author of The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: Democracy, the Internet, and the Overthrow of Everything."
Personally, I'm in agreement with how the article is presented -- it addresses the question and analyzes the situation fairly. The Internet is political phenomenon that was never used to this extent to debate an issue. Health care is certainly a factor that spreads across a wide demographic as, naturally, everyone is concerned about their well-being. What was once a Democratically dominated medium, the Internet has exploded into seemingly-endless debate that the Obama administration certainly has no means to control (not that any force, especially a federal one, should ever attempt to do. Who do they think they are, 4chan?) While it seems like the Obama-rama is diminishing as his viral cult seems to be disbanding, the Internet is merely fostering much-needed bipartisan debate. Obama supporters still have his back, and NObamas still have their gripes. All of the online shouting matches and obsession with verbal gaffes has seemed to overshadow true issues and real debate; if the social media can chill out and let the issue run its course, the Internet will prove to be a truly effective outlet for stimulating argumentation between a variety of perspectives. Obama will continue to Tweet, Republicans will continue to bitch, and I will sit at my desk and watch the races. And they're off!
Link to story on cnn.com
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/03/obama.social.media.health.care/index.html
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