Reality Time at MyBarackObama.com
It's reality time at MyBarackObama.com. The latent tension between a conventional top-down presidential campaign and the bottom-up social-networking Internet operation it launched has burst into the open in the form of a grassroots insurrection against Senator Obama's decision to support legislation granting legal immunity to telecommunications companies that cooperated with the Bush administration's program of wiretapping without warrants.
The Obama campaign, by far the most Internet-savvy presidential campaign thus far, operates several web sites. BarackObama.com is a straight-forward campaign site, where visitors can see videos of speeches, read about issues, and or course donate money. MyBarackObama.com is a full-fledged social networking site built along the lines of Facebook. Once a visitor registers as a MyBarackObama member, he or she can post blogs, join discussion groups, send each other messages, organize events, and create networks of "friends," just as on Facebook or MySpace.
In fact, MyBarackObama.com is actually a Facebook knock-off, shepherded into reality over a year ago by Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes. The Obama campaign's early recruitment of Hughes, which enabled the campaign to pull a virtually bug-free social networking site out of its hat early on in the campaign, was one of the most pivotal yet least noted turning points in the presidential race.
MyBarackObama.com has been critical to the spectacular fundraising success of the Obama campaign. But what Senator Obama might do with this novel asset beyond simply raising money was an open question. And what MyBarackObama.com might do with Senator Obama was a question few even asked.
Noam Cohen wrote in the New York Times last month, "The receptiveness of the Obama campaign to such bottom-up influences raises a question: might the candidate actually model his approach to politics on the informal communal spirit the Internet encourages?"
Political commentator Andrew Sullivan thought the question had already been answered. "It's a new form of politics. It is likely to last beyond the Obama campaign and to change the shape of all campaigns to come."
Not so fast, argued Markos Moulitsas Zúniga of the DailyKos. "The Obama campaign is still very much a top-bottom operation. They've made it very easy for people to hop on the bandwagon, but those in the back of that wagon still get no say in where the campaign is going."
Well, this week it started to get really noisy in the back of the wagon. A new "group" started on MyBarackObama.com called "Senator Obama -- Please, No Telecom Immunity and Get FISA Right." By last night there were 7,000 members. At noon today there were 11435, just short of making it the largest group on the MyBarackObama site. During the time I wrote this column, more than 800 more signed up. By the time you read this, it will almost certainly be the largest. There is even a contest being organized to see who can predict how many members the group will have by the time of the FISA vote next week.
Note to the Obama campaign: even a cursory glance at the history of social networking on the Internet ( MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter for starters) shows that when content creation is put into the hands of the users who also have the ability to communicate and share with one another, the result becomes highly dynamic and unpredictable.
So here we are, balanced at the precise point where the bottom-up dynamics of Web 2.0 meets the top-down dynamics of an American presidential campaign. Depending on your take on Obama, you might imagine the Senator as railing in private against the power his Internet advisors have unwittingly given his base, or alternatively, as being secretly delighted at the unruly democratic spirit his campaign and its Web tools have unleashed.
In my most recent post, I wrote about the tension between Obama's Internet fundraising operation -- the 1.5 million small donors -- and his conventional fundraising. I wondered who would have the most influence with Obama, the small group of big donors who have faces and phone numbers the candidate knows, or the 1.5 million small donors.
It seems that the social networking tools of MyBarackObama.com may give some of those small donors a collective face and point of contact. At this moment, the contact is the "Senator Obama -- Please, No Telecom Immunity and Get FISA Right" group.
There is of course no guarantee how much real influence the members of this group will have with Obama. But they certainly have his attention. In fact, the good folks at Obama HQ are without doubt counting every new member. 12,261 and counting.
**
Some comments from "Senator Obama - Please, No Telecom Immunity and Get FISA Right":
After going through the long and difficult primary I truly believed that Senator Obama was the man we needed. It did not take long for him to prove me so wrong. The Senator from Chicago became an inside the Beltway wonder in such a short period of time. What I want, and I say want, not please, is to see him stand up and as the leader of the Demos and stop this FISA bill. The FISA part of the bill is just as wrong as the telecom immunity. But how can you condone the telecoms disregard of the law? Please tell me how? If he does not I am finished and I will not vote for him or any Demo. This is very difficult to say with McShame running on the GOP ticket. But if Senator Obama can't stand up for me and my right to privacy (4th Amendent) who the hell will?
this is a group that REFUSES to support a candidate that supports a measure that is _unconstitutional_. Playing that "it will get McCain elected" game doesn't fly here. We're concerned about the CONSTITUTION, remember that thing?
I'm done capitulating. If the contributors to the Obama campaign truly own it, as Obama likes to say, then it's time we started acting like it.
I have just contacted the Obama campaign and asked for my money back that I have contributed. They have agreed to refund it. If Senator Obama changes his mind and opposes FISA I will send all of my money back to the campaign.
etc.
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Read the Rolling Stone interview "A conversation with Barack Obama"
Barack states concerning the internet and young people:
"It gives them the opportunity to hold me accountable when I'm not following through on promises that I've made. It gives me a powerful ally if Congress is resistant to measures that need to be taken."
Email B.O. Let him know your displeasure. He expects it.
It's the American way.
Vote Obama. Get active let your voice heard.
"No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."
-Sir Winston Churchill
hold him accountable? HOW? an e-mail? oohhhh, almost as scary as a snarky remark...i
My guess is that this Anti-Obama group is just an off-shoot of the Hillary PUMA group..
They were against Obama to begin with and this is just another manifestation of it.
This is supported by the fact that not one single one of them has been able to come up with any FACTS to support their assertions that HR 6304 violates the US Constituti
Michale...
Wrong. No one has been as opposed to a Clinton nomination as I have and I was an early adopter on this group. There are plenty of others like me whose diaries you can read at DailyKos.
I haven't asked for my donations back but I've made it clear that my dollars and my energies will go to blue candidates closer to home until Obama remembers who brung him.
Screw PUMA.
OK, fair enough...
Let me ask you honestly and sincerely. Why are you against HR 6304??
Michale...
@buckygreen
>Many many of the now 13500 plus
>0bama supporters have read HR 6304
>and understand that it represents an
>assault on the 4th Amendment.
Fair enough.. Please point out the section{s} that "represents an assault on the 4th Amendment.
I have asked this same question since HR 6304 was released and not ONE person has been able to point to the relevant sections. NOT A SINGLE ONE.
Surely one of those 13,000 plus can point to the sections that violate the US Constituti
Hmmmm??? Hmmm??? Hello??
>And we resent being characterized
>as trolls, uninformed, misinformed,
>whiners, babies, chicken littles, ad
>nauseum by the 0bama can do no
>wrong cheerleading section of the
>campaign that you represent.
Perhaps ya'all are being characterized in such a manner because not ONE SINGLE one of you can come up with ANY facts to back up your assertions
Michale...
And yeah, how 'bout that telcomm immunity?
The telecomm immunity is ONLY about Civil Liability.
If you are concerned that you won't be able to learn about any alleged misdeeds on behalf of the Telecomms, there is always criminal prosecutio
Regardless of that, the telecomm civil liability immunity is not a Constitutional issue.
So, I have to ask again.. Where is the Constitutional conflict??
Michale...
It is not that I am misinterpreting what Senator Obama has been saying about immunity..
I can only say that, like his stance on this or not, I support, and will vote for Obama in November because, quite simply, John McCain would be a disaster of a president, even when compared to George W. Bush!
No one is above the law. Not Bush. Not the telecoms. That law is treasonous.
When we remind Obama of that fact, life will become clear again. He promised you know. To fight it.
You've touched upon (IMHO) exactly the heart of the FISA conundrum.
FISA WAS the law. FISA IS the law. Bush broke the law then -- and he can and will break the law today or tomorrow. All this bill does is give him a pass -- it pretends to do something while not doing the one thing FISA was always supposed to do: protect the country from abuse of power!
Well said, Mary!
So, if Bush is going to not listen to Congress anyways, why should you even bother with your attacks on HR 6304???
I mean, after all.. By your OWN admission, Bush isn't going to listen anyways, whether FISA is passed or not..
Michale...
Wow. Talk about one issue voters. Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. These people deserve eight years of McBush. Then they can find another politician to idolize and bring down when he disagrees with them on a few issues.
Get this straight: OBAMA HAS NEVER BEEN A FAR LEFT CANDIDATE!!
Read his books, actually read his policy positions - he is a centrist with liberal leanings. A candidate who might not always give the far left what they want, but will run our country with more compassion and humility and foresight than any Republican could ever muster. Stop acting like babies and join the Nader campaign or the nutjobs still obsessed with Ron Paul. Nobody on the far-far left will ever get elected in the current atmosphere in America. But BO is the best chance we've got to see 75% of our dreams realized, and you will screw up his campaign out of your insane need to get revenge on the telecoms. Grow up. What's done is done. This is why a party as terrible as the GOP has been in the White House for 8 years - why the worst president in American history got to serve two terms.
You don't have to be far left to defend the Constitution of the United States of America. Ask A l G o r e, R o n P a u l, and B o b B a r r.
Barack Obama is a Constitutional scholar. No less is at stake than our Constitution.
Come on get real. These companies were asked- no demanded to give this help by the Executive branch in a time of war. They should have said no, but they didn't. Exactly why should Obama potentially sacrifice this election over something that is really truly esoteric.
As to the rest of the bill, I'm sorry, I'm a liberal, love the constitution, and frankly am trained in the Constitution and think the compromise is just fine. I think this is all B.S. and generated by people who have either lost their minds or by the RNC itself.
http://tpm
There was an episode of Star Trek: Voyager that has bearing here. In it, an alien captain tried for for 200 years to restore his people's grand legacy by means of selectively erasing species and events from time. He came very close at times. A 96.7% restoratio
The Hysterical Left reminds me of that captain.. They want 100% of their own beliefs and attitudes in the White House. And they'll destroy the whole country in their twisted efforts to achieve that 100%...
Michale...
The pre-egoic masses destroy the egoic and post-egoic possibilities.
I feel like I'm rewatching a virtual version of the students overtaking the administration buildings of universities during the '60's.
And I feel sick about it.
Well good , because quite a few people feel sick that they were swindled on FISA, after he got the nomination , of course
One thing I can say about Hillary Supporters "they don't cut and run" when she does something they don't like.
OH BOB! I'm still waiting for your answer - see my posts below. Have a good night!
To all those who think this is a 'single issue' I would point out that the 'issue' is one that is a 'CONSTITUTIONAL' issue and if you don't think the Constitution is more important than an individual, I invite you to leave the country.
I would also point out Obama's statement that he would 'work to strip immunity from the bill' and that he has not publicly lifted a finger OR spoken to the defects in the bill, allowing the Republican's to continue the framing of the question of national security.
And it seems as though a lot of Obama supporters on this thread are not very well versed on this issue or bill. Dem's are VERY likely to control BOTH houses of Congress after the election so to say that everything rides on Obama being elected is a failure to see the 'big picture' AND to enforce the idea that the Executive Branch 'runs the country'; no kings are needed here.
For those that state that 'oversight' is in the current bill, I suggest you read the law as it is CURRENTLY written; simply stated it does state that FISA is the 'exclusive' means by which surveillance is to be warranted and DOES provide 'oversight'.
Please quit thinking that Obama is a saviour of some sort or another; vote for him but do not let him slide on important issues he has taken positions on.
Immunity opponents like Sens. Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Chris Dodd (D-CT) have succeeded in delaying a FISA vote until after this week's Independence Day recess, and they have introduced an amendment to strip immunity from FISA. Feingold initially sounded pessimistic about its chances, but he praised the "outpouring of support" from immunity opponents in a video message posted Monday.
"I teased some of my colleagues, I said we can celebrate the Constitution on July 4th then maybe when you come back you'll decide not to tear it up," he said.
And this is exactly what Obama says he supports. He put out a press release a couple of weeks ago saying (in part) "It does, however, grant retroactive immunity, and I will work in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses." http://www
He's consistent. He said this in February/08 "Earlier today, Senator Obama voted in favor of the Dodd-Feingold amendment to repeal retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies.
http://oba
So Bob Ostertag, as usual you have mischaracterized Obama's policies again with your statement "Senator Obama's decision to support legislation granting legal immunity to telecommunications companies that cooperated with the Bush administration's program of wiretapping without warrants." He doesn't support legislation to grant immunity.
Hello Bob; Can you or someone please explain why other Senators are not being bombarded with these petitions? Also why is no one going after McCain? have we already decided the election and Obama is now president-elect! I know Obama has had an influence over millions of voters but will his vote against FISA have a real influence on other "Politicians" and have them all change their minds. Also where was this energy when it was in the House of Representatives? I would really like an answer to this - an intelligent one-- I keep posting this same question and I have yet to see anyone reply.
Obama was strongly against any attempt to give the telecomms a pass. He vowed to filibuster any attempt to do that. This is a do-or-die issue for progressives who will not bend on civil liberties. He caved. Other senators are not the issue because they did not win a presidential endorsement from these 12,000, and counting, Democrats based in part on his liberal stand on this and other issues. He is abandoning them as he furiously dog-paddles towards shore.
Wait A MINUTE! Other Senators -WHO WILL BE VOTING---ARE NOT THE ISSUE? What is the point of this exercise? Are you guys trying to get someone to acknowledge your group or do you really want to stop the FISA bill? The more answers I get like this the more I am convinced that you guys are looking for attention, for acknowledgement - you know, kind of like the other 300,000,000 people (MINUS 12,000) also want - I think you guys KNOW that FISA will get passed but are crashing Obama's moment on the stage to get attention. THE OTHER SENATORS ARE VOTING AND THEY ARE SOOOOOO RELEVANT! To say they are irrelevant makes no sense at all. God- I wish I could come up with a clever analogy for your reasoning, but I'm too flabbergasted by your comment!
God, he hasn't caved and he hasn't abandoned anyone. He's still strongly against telecom immunity. He hasn't even voted on any bill. He strongly supported any previous bills which were against immunity. They are trying to get immunity out of the bill that is coming up for a vote in the Senate. He votes in the Senate, not the House. It drives me crazy how supposed Obama supporters aren't even informed about what they're ranting about.
You probably won't.
I'm having nightmarish flashbacks of another, recently ended, campaign. The supporters there, also, tossed out stupid threats and when asked to clarify, I don't know which was louder, the crickets, or the silence.
Other senators are not the issue here. The one that is running for president is. "Look over there" is rarely a good argument.
McCain and McConnell don't give a rat's ass what a bunch of Democrats want. Do you really not realize that? EVERY Democratic senator should be pressured, but the one that is running for president voting the wrong way is an "issue" whether you like it or not.
OK. So what you guys are telling me is that once McCain gets into the White House you will sit on your righteous behinds, whine, moan and complain about how America is no more? Only dems should protest dems and lets sit back like COWARDS and not fight the real enemy? Now who's CAVING? The "issue" was supposed to be to get rid of Telecomm Immunity - right? To get that done you need to pressure DEMS and REPUBS and G-BUSH - not one person! The issue has now become how many liberals can get Obama to "cave" on his "cave."
What part of "I will be the President for all Americans" didn't you understand?
I heard that from attorney Michael Santucci
I Wonder - How many of these members are McCain loving Republicans and members from Hillaryis44? I wish there was someway to find out!
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