There has been a lot of talk the last few days on the role social media played in the Barack Obama victory, with some going as far to say that it was also a victory for social media, and others maintaining that it was Barack Obama who won the election, not social media.
I think it goes without saying that social media -- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. -- played a part in the election. We've come to use the web both to gather information and to express ourselves, so social media will play a role in all major events.
But how much of a role did it play? Did social media win Barack Obama the presidency?
Here are a few things I think it is very safe to say:
- Barack Obama won because he proved to enough people that he has what it takes to lead this country in these very difficult times.
- Barack Obama won because he put on the best political campaign in modern history.
- Barack Obama won because he is a very charismatic person and an elite speaker whose words touched a chord with the country.
- Barack Obama won because John McCain lost. While Obama was putting on a campaign for the ages, McCain's campaign was taking misstep after misstep.
So where does social media rank? Does it deserve a bullet in that list?
I don't think so. While social media definitely played a part in the election, I think saying that Barack Obama won because of social media is akin to saying he won because of newspapers, or television, or radio.
Yes, Barack Obama used social media like a pro, but take it away and he still would have had the best run campaign -- instead of his own social network and frequent Twitter updates, we'd have had Barack Obama kicking it on MTV and perhaps doing a tango on Dancing with the Stars, but make no mistake: he would find a way to connect.
What do you think? What role do you think social media played in Barack Obama's presidential victory?
Wow, you are an idiot. Anyone could look and see that social media played a huge part in winning this election for obama.
I think social media was helpful in that people pledged money via the internet to my understanding. I think it was also helpful that most reporters leaned towards him with the exception of Fox 5. But it did not win him the election. He is a very down to earth, intelligent man with an even keel and I think alot of people liked that about him.
My apologies to Firefox users. The initial poll placement caused an issue with Firefox because the bulleted list interfered with the poll answers.
I’ve moved the poll to a (somewhat sillier looking) location that will allow Firefox users to properly vote.
If it is any consolation, I couldn’t vote either — I use Firefox too!
Wow the media still at it. Making Obama this big man.Still dressing him i see.Can’t wait tell he gets undressed.He will it will just take a couple months in office tell he starts doing the wrong thing.Russia and Iran just love him and don’t forget Africa they say he will rebuild their country just like his cousin is doing there..lol..Ever wonder why so many country’s like Obama its not because of the hope you have its the hope they have for a weaker America.Russia is already as of today putting missiles out and its not just for show.Hang on America its going to be a bumpy road. And Obama will be the first to hide..lol
Obama used his money to get the vote. plain and simple and the media fell right into his trap.Then the American people fell in to the media’s trap.Wonder what would happen when the law suit against Obama does go all the way and they do find out he has been lying how will that make the media feel? Media needs a good slap and wake up. stop making their opinions facts
Is this a joke?
Obama the best campaigner in political history? The man who can’t speak without a teleprompter? He’s the only presidential candidate who had to bring a teleprompter to stump speeches. Partially due to his inability to complete a sentence without an “uh” or a “you know” or some other filler, partially due to his lack of keeping on message without it. His “charismatic” speaking ability really amounts to being a good reader.
He has what it takes to lead? His past has no executive leadership (other than the Annenberg Challenge thing with Ayers), he voted Present more often than he voted For or Against items in the State Senate, and he can’t make a decision to save his life.
No missteps? Nothing was ever reported negatively about Obama. Again, the Annenberg Challenge comes into focus. How about the Woods Fund? Raila Odinga? Tony Rezko? Joe Biden? “Bros, not Hos?” Are you kidding? You don’t know about these missteps because you don’t want to have your image of the New Messiah tarnished. The serious missteps reported on the McCain side were all easily debunked lies – Palin’s son, “Tasergate”, McCain’s so-called mistress (recycled from 3 years ago), etc.
Why are you not reporting on how his “social networking” disabled standard fraud prevention devices and allowed people from anywhere in the world to freely donate (though this is illegal). Or how about how his “social networking” brought out the lunatics and people who hate this country, various ethnic, racial, and religious groups?
Get over the fanboyism and look at the trends. I’m not a McCain fan by any stretch, but this is ridiculous claptrap.