On Day 2, I had the pleasure of participating on the Morning Plenary panel sponsored by Politico entitled, “White House 2.0.” We discussed how the Internet, which has been so prevalent in the current presidiential race, will possibly change how a future Administration will govern.
It was a very lively discussion where a number of innovative ideas for citizen activist and engagement websites were shared - but, in my opinion, most would be best managed outside the official dot gov arena. There are a number of current restrictions and regulations that govern federal government sites that may provide some barriers to participation.
Lawrence Lessig, a Stanford Law Professor, author and Internet civil liberties advocate made two annoucements on his blog this week – the formation of Change Congress and that he is considering a run for Congress in California’s 12th District to fill the seat of late Congressman Tom Lantos.
As a self-proclaimed “progressive (pc word for liberal),” Lessig will most likely face former state Sen. Jackie Speier in the Democratic primary and he responded to strong objections from some that his entrance into the race would only serve to stall her “deserved” bid.Will Oremus of the San Jose Mercury News reports:
Known as a fighter for the public interest in the Internet age, Lessig has picked Congress as his latest target. His bid to replace the late Tom Lantos, D-San Mateo, would be part of his broader campaign finance reform project, called “Change Congress.”
No doubt, this is how newsman Les Nessman and Dr. Johnny Fever would be singing the WKRP theme song today in our converged digital world.
After snow and ice forced a cancellation last week, I head to Ohio tomorrow to speak at the rescheduled luncheon sponsored by PRSA Cincinnati and Business Wire to discuss the changing influence of communications in the digital age. In addition, we’ll take a look at the Internet’s affect on the American political process – both on the campaign trail and in the halls of government.
As a bonus, I will answer all questions about the current race for the White House and promise to accurately predict the winner of Ohio’s primary election on March 4.
The “Potomac Primaries” for Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia are in full swing today as voters head to the polls to select their favorite candidate in the 2008 race for the White House. This morning, I took my four year-old daughter to our local polling location, an elementary school in Virginia.
I expected there to be long lines of anxious commuters angrily elbowing their way to the voting booths but, thankfully, I saw none of that and was simply amazed at the ease of the process.
There were about ten people in line ahead of us, but it moved very quickly. When we got to the front, I presented my driver’s license ID, they checked me off the list, asked me to choose a Republican or Democrat card (Virginia voters participate in an “open primary“) and we were off to vote. I lifted my daughter up onto a chair, pointed to my candidate of choice and she touched the screen to cast and record my vote. That was it!
Chalk up another Internet success for Campaign 2008 as users continue to generate content aimed at moving minds and generating online buzz for Presidential candidates in their bid for the White House.
This time, Will.i.am from Black Eyed Peas fame, created a music video based on Senator Barack Obama’s speech after his loss to Sen. Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary.
The catchy and inspiring song, entitled “Yes We Can” officially lives at Dipdive.com, and features a number of celebrities from sports, stage, music, television and film.
Republican Convention President & CEO Maria Cino announced Ustream.TV as the official live video streaming provider of the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-Saint Paul slated for September 1-4, 2008.
“Partnering with Ustream.TV sends a clear message that the Republican Party wants the Internet generation and all people – from Party loyalists to casual observers – to be part of the 2008 Republican National Convention,” said Cino. “Anyone with computer and internet access will be guaranteed a front-row seat to history through www.GOPConvention2008.com, as we formally nominate the next President and Vice President of the United States.”
Ustream.TV co-founder Brad Hunstable was also on hand to explain that in addition to unprecedeted, live access of gavel-to-gavel floor activity, viewers, voters, bloggers and other interested parties will have access to video web chats, online interviews, behind the scenes coverage and other activities leading up to the event.
This week, a few hundred convened to attend the 2-day Politics Online Conference 2008 hosted by the Institute for Politics Democracy and the Internet (IPDI) at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC. 
