...And Here Comes Congress 2.0

Computerworld has an excellent article detailing the rather unique (for Congress) events that transpired on Capitol Hill on Friday after the House adjourned without taking a vote on an offshore drilling bill.

When cameras were turned off, Republicans turned to social media to vent their frustration with the public. Even when the lights were turned off, Republicans continued to update the public with quick messages and live video.

Are the Republicans taking a lesson from Barack Obama?

Certainly, Obama has shined a light on how social media can be used in politics, but it is one thing for a politician to run for office with social tools -- campaigns have been about social networking long before computers came around -- and quite another thing for Congress to jump on the instant updating bandwagon by posting regular updates to Twitter of what is happening on the floor of Congress.

Will we soon be seeing our congressmen and senators lifestreaming?

Perhaps not. I'm sure there are too many closets for them to go too far, but it is good to see them embracing some of these tools. There are many great ways for Congress to use social media and Web 2.0 technologies. For example, a wiki could be used to allow greater collaboration on bills where all members of Congress could play a part while committee members play the role of editor.

What do you think? How would you see Congress using Web 2.0?