Obama Campaign Masters Digital Media, McCain Efforts "Old And Clunky"

Back in 1960 the skills required to become President of the United States changed forever. That was the year that John F. Kennedy debated Richard M. Nixon on national network television for the first time. When reminiscing about Kennedy's win, pundits love to cite that he was tanned, good looking, had great hair and had his make-up professionally applied, while Mr. Nixon appeared pale, had a nervous demeanor and sweaty brow. They say that Nixon won on the radio but Kennedy won on TV. 1960 ushered in the era of the Network politician. For better or for worse, after the 1960 debate, not only did every politician have to have video skills, they had to have expert ones.

Today, aside from video, Senators Obama and McCain are going to face off across several digital consumer touchpoints including: the web, short form video, the blogosphere, time-shifted television, social networks, SMS, ringtones, mobile applications, even wikis. 2008 will usher in the era of the Networked politician. For better or for worse, not only will every politician need to have advanced media skills, they are going to need expert ones.

I know it's early days for the national race, but - just for fun - let's have a look at how the candidates are handling the transition from Network to Networked campaigning.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[the964kid]

To John McCain: using words like 'change' or 'believe' won't work. Obama owns those slogans in 2008, and furthermore you will lose if you make this 'experience' vs 'change' argument. Just ask Hillary about that - she made both mistakes - and now it looks like you're going to repeat them. I hope you continue to rip off Obama slogans because the voters know who's authentic (Obama) and who's the phony (you).

[macintoshsauce]

John W. McBush offers the same as the last 7+ years - doom for America.

[JimMan35]

One more comment to add here.

Was anyone else completely discombobulated by the positioning of "GOLF GEAR" in this group of tab:

STRATEGY
DECISION CENTER
GENERAL ELECTION
**GOLF GEAR**

GOLF GEAR??? In the same place as STRATEGY, DECISION CENTER and GENERAL ELECTION??

Golf Gear has risen to such heights of demand that is doesn't appear in the store, but int he group of tabs with the candidate's most important priorities?

I admit, I'm not a golfer and I don't even play one on TV. But I'm a reasonably reasonable person and I can't for the life of me conceive of how this positioning was rationalized by the site's designers. Maybe it was an executive decision?

[NYC07]

Don't worry about McCain, He's very modern - he'll use the Internet , but at the moment he's still waiting for the tubes to warm up in his computer.

[pupbayer]

This site is interesting, too.

http://meetbarackobama.com/

[estevancarlos]

I think some of us recognize the hypocrisy with some of Obama's claims on lobbyist reform. I for one just home these measures he's taking are a small step. Especially the national database to see who has donated what to whom. All the other things on that site or bullshit. The GOP wants to ask Obama some questions? We've been asking the GOP some questions for yeas but have yet to get an answer. You sir, can go to hell.

[scooperss]

Amen.

[Fire]

Hey Guys,

How old is the computer that hold the website together? Is it an ENIAC?

[rbenjamin]

The Republican Party views the world through old media goggles. So out of touch they don't even know they're out of touch. I wonder if McCain even knows how to use a web browser?

[Softnsweet]

All Obama supporters, please distribute this video. Keep it in your favorites and every time someone says something about why they are not vote for Obama, don't time anything just leave them with this awesome video. Just say enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTgqQ2_KQkc

[midtown]

McCain's website says it all: he's selling Golf Gear.

[MiddleRoadLiberal]

It's not his fault, he doesn't have as much money and is afraid of youngsters (they might mug him), who actually have the skills to make functioning, appealing websites.

[margardner]

McCain's is a copycat version and it still isn't as "fresh" as Obamas!

[CalexenderJ]

Waitaminute... Didn't McCain just give a speech about how he was going to modernize and streamline government? Did he say that his ideas were the ideas of the future and Obama was clinging to the past? I could have sworn that's what he said. You mean he was bullsh*tting me? Damn, he had me persuaded by his compelling devliery.

[arkgrfx61]

Another thing of note are their logos. McCain, stark and boring....Obama - it's a new day over America....a positively beautiful thing.

[Topfeeder]

Does Matlock have one of them there Interweb thingie page site dealies?

[lisakaz2]

Obama has a matching donor program right now if anyone is interested.