techPresident - MySpace's Presidential TownHalls: YAOD or Something New? - Comments

Skeptically Optimistic

Michael Connery — Fri, 11 May 2007 10:49:25 -0400

Micah,

I share most of your reservations about this and MySpace's other forays into politics. But here I'm cautiously optimistic.

It's significant enough that each candidate will be on stage alone, instead of in a cattle call of candidates. So we'll get more in depth answers than 30 second soundbytes. I also have more faith in the MySpace audience to ask smarter questions than those dreamed up by CNN/Rock the Vote (boxers or briefs? Mac vs. PC? How about open source vs. DRM or Net Neutrality?).

It's also an opportunity for online communities to get more of a voice in the public debate. I'm sure the candidates will be organizing their supporters to lob softballs their way via the instant-messenger function, but online communities like the Daily Kos, BoingBoing, Slashdot, and MyDD, progressive groups like DFA, Young Democrats, and even the Tech President community all have the opportunity to do the same. If the larger netroots can get organized, we could potentially have a serious airing of issues that the MSM won't address.

Having video of the candidates addressing our issues in such a fashion strikes me as a net good. You're right that it won't be an earth-shattering change in how we interact with the candidates. And that's too bad. But it's still a step up, and I'm cautiously optimistic about it.

The Future May Be Closer Than You Think

Jonathan Rick — Thu, 10 May 2007 16:06:20 -0400

A new blog called MessageJury.com dial-tested the first Democratic and Republican presidential debates. Participants consisted of 36 likely voters in Des Moines, who watched the debate live in a hotel conference room.

MySpace's Presidential TownHalls: YAOD or Something New?

Micah L. Sifry — Thu, 10 May 2007 00:00:21 -0400

The ongoing collision of technology and politics opened another chapter today with this morning's announcement by MySpace.com that it will be hosting a presidential "Town Hall" series on college campuses this fall featuring nearly all of the major presidential candidates. Viewers will be able to submit questions by MySpace instant messenger and watch live via a MySpace webcast. Participating candidates include Brownback, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Giuliani, Hunter, McCain, Obama, Paul, Richardson, Romney and Thompson.

“This won’t be the stale debate format with one moderator getting canned answers to the same old questions,” said Chris DeWolfe, CEO of MySpace, in a press release. “Our users will have the chance to get direct answers to the questions they want to ask – unfiltered.” Tom Anderson, president of MySpace (which is not the same thing as President of the United States), added, "MySpace is remaking the mold for political interaction online." Is it really??