MySpace Derails Obama Presidency

In a move that could cost Illinois Senator Barak Obama the presidency, his campaign took control of an extremely popular MySpace page and risked alienating 160,000 voters.

With the last two presidential elections decided by a handful of voters residing in a few key swing states, this move could be considered political suicide.

Could the handling of this issue be an indication of how Obama will act if his is voted into office?

It could be.

Votes have been won or lost for reasons far less important than this.

All of the leading presidential candidates realize the importance of the Internet community. Many of the candidates even announced their candidacy via their own Web site.

The fact that this MySpace page created by a volunteer had 160,000 friends indicates the voting power of the Internet community.

Could the presidency be determined by the new swing state called the Internet?

I believe that it could.

Reality Show Winner Elected President

The new political reality show “Independent” will utilize MySpace and YouTube auditions, and it may influence the 2008 presidential elections.

Does this thought frighten you? It should!

Although the concept of this new reality show is an exciting and innovative use of the Internet, the winning “prize” has a lot to be desired.

According to a recent Reuters story, “Mark Burnett, the producer who popularized reality television, and Internet social network MySpace will unveil a new reality TV and Internet series that aims to groom one young politician or community leader to represent young America.”

The winner of “Independent” will receive $1 million that they can use to launch a new political party, donate to a political cause, or enter the U.S. presidential race.

Is this really a prize worth winning? I don’t think so.

First of all, it would take a lot more than $1 million to successfully start a new political party. In theory, it could be done. But as the Green Party demonstrates, creating a new political party is much more difficult than winning a reality show.

Next, if you win $1 million on a reality show, why should you have to donate it to anyone?

Finally, would the winning representative of young America meet the minimum age requirement and even be eligible to enter the presidential race?

"The whole point of “Independent” really speaks to what young Americans want," the British-born Burnett said. "If you look back, the (political) system was supposed to work this way."

This brings me to my nightmare.

Let’s suppose that “Independent” energizes the young voting base and the winner actually does get elected president. Do we really want the winner of a reality show running the country?

Stick with the tried-and-true formula Mark Burnett. Give the money to the winner and let them fade into pop-culture history like most of the other reality show winners. If they are really destined to become president, let them earn it with their talents and experience. Such a course will make them a much better leader.

The temporary fame and fortune of a reality show should influence pop-culture, not American politics.

2008: The Year of the Blogger

In 20 or 30 years, history may point to the 2008 presidential election as being the first time that candidates used the Internet as a vehicle to determine the legitimacy of their candidacy.

In 2000 and 2004 the presidential candidates used the Internet much like a child suspiciously plays with a new toy that they don’t understand. However, what we’ve already seen is that the current crop of candidates is savvy about the Internet and using it in new and exciting ways.

John Edwards and Hillary Clinton announced their candidacy through prerecorded messages on their Web sites, almost all of the candidates post to "personal" blogs on their Web site, and many candidates have begun placing campaign ads on various Internet sites.

Like the 1952 contest between Dwight Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson, 2008 may be looked on as a turning point in political campaigning. The candidates finally seem to understand how vital their Internet presence is to their overall campaign, and the mature blogging world is already trying to make a difference in the 2008 elections.

Al Gore, inventor of the Internet and patrician of all things digital, may ironically become the first candidate whose decision to run is decided online.

The recent discovery of Gore’s exorbitant heating bills has quickly become one of the hottest topics in the right-wing bloggosphere. Conservatives are using this story to desperately stunt a grass roots effort to keep the ultra-popular darling of the Hollywood circle on the sidelines in 2008.

However, liberal blogs such as the Daily Kos, are ignoring the seemingly obvious paradox and trying desperately to encourage Gore to run in 2008. Currently, more than 45,000 people have signed the petition to "draft Gore" for the 2008 election.

The resulting debate which will play itself out online may decide which way Gore decides to turn in 2008?

For years Bloggers have demanded legitimacy and yearned to make a difference in the world. 2008 appears to finally be their title shot.