Obama's Transparent Presidency: Weekly YouTube Addresses

President-elect Obama's office gave the media a new way to present him as Franklin Roosevelt 2.0 by announcing Friday that it will be posting weekly addresses - fireside chats for the web generation - on YouTube.

The first address will appear on Change.gov this Saturday, after it airs in audio. An Obama spokesperson says that this innovation is just the beginning of the digital, transparent presidency. The plan appears to be in the mold of what the campaign did with videos like "Four Days in Denver" and Campaign Manager David Plouffe's conversations on the state of the race. These videos allowed supporters to feel like they had a direct connection to the campaign, a connection that bypassed the media. Already, the Obama team has made good on the post-election plan. It posted a video from Valerie Jarrett, one of Obama's transition chairs, discussing plans for the new administration. Watch it here:

Can the Obama team use the tools they built during the campaign to drum up support for complicated government initiatives? With a campaign, there were clear goals: raise money, organize, get out the vote. With a presidency, you have over 305 million Americans to motivate. We will be watching, texting, commenting, twittering, and of course, blogging the results.

Comments

[adv2int]

This is grand.

[Chaucea]

And the beauty of this, is the MSM will still be reporting on these, though its not going directly through them. Clever, clever! ;-D

[ebanks84]

Yes he can! Transparency is the icing on this Obama cake :)

[apoyo]

MSM Bypass. Fantastic!

[dubstyleenation]

sho nuff.

[Liberalforsure]

Finally, a progressive and open president! You gotta love this guy!

[MANK]

Take that Limbaugh and Hannity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shanester]

He has a real knack for picking smart, calm and articulate people to deliver his message!

How refreshing! REAL ADULTS IN GOVERNMENT!

[BarackDaVote]

WE FINALLY HAVE A 21st CENTURY PRESIDENT WHO WANTS ACCESS TO EVERYBODY.....LOVE IT

[Chas53]

Hey, that was my idea! Good for them.

[CindyKay]

Excellent Idea Mr. President !

[starlady7]

Dear Mr. President - Elect Obama,

Thank you from all of us, young and old! I am 58 and was a girl when JFK was killed. I cried as my parents cried because there was so much promise in the Kennedy Presidency and the same with MLK. I never dreamed to see a progressive agenda for America...I did hope. Not even Kennedy evolked the feelings I have about this election or you. There is a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. My heart swells with pride to have you as my President. You have not even taken the oath yet, but you have greatly changed America. You have come into the hearts of Americans, who are willing to work hard and support you all the way! There is an uplifting hope that is spreading across the country and the world!
I know that it will be a hard long road to get our country and people prosperous again. I believe with your leadership we can achieve a 'better America'...forward looking with the American people for the first time truely involved. One request: Please rescue our environment and save and protect the wild life that we share this planet with! I am excited to hear your plans and the progress that is being made...weekly addresses are a fantastic idea!

[westreal]

I LOVE THIS STUFF. I feel plugged into my government. Love how they setup the lobbying rules. This is great stuff.

[politisophical]

on youtube: the subscription channel is "changedotgov" or click on the video to be directed to the video page and subscribe from there

[DBJ]

http://www.change.gov

[The One V]

I am so unused to this concept that I don't even know what to do with myself. This is so refreshing.

[chewie2008]

This is great.