One Man compares the Keyes Internet strategy with Obama’s Internet strategy.
Full disclosure: I helped start the Obama blog, but once the campaign took operations inhouse they didn’t need my help. I’d like to see the Obama team do more with the Internet; they’re sitting on a gold mine. But as a practical matter, they don’t need to. Not now. So while the zealot in me wants to see them exploit every advantage (and, for that matter, take a few risks in a race where they can afford to), I can understand the rationale that says you keep a few bullets in the gun for later.
That said, it’s no better if you look more broadly. The Democratic leadership in Illinois are woefully behind when it comes to using technology. That’s not going to hurt us now. Technology alone will not make Alan Keyes a sane, rational, viable candidate. (Technology, coupled with advanced neurological techniques and a healthy dose of medication… now that would be an Alan Keyes I could listen to.)
Nevertheless, the Democrats in Illinois are woefully behind. What’s worse, they don’t recognize how it is going to hurt. Trust me. (I had lunch with a highly-placed Democratic leader last week, laid out what I think will be critical for Democrats moving forward. Not interested.) Speaker of the House? Governor? Senator? Chicago Mayor? They’ve all got tons of money. But their inability to capitalize on the technology that’s democratizing politics will leave them with fat bank accounts and little (or no) connection to the grassroots.
When a state rep from Plainfield (thanks for the correction, guys) can amass an e-mail list of 100,000 names (more than four times the size of the Governor’s list, by the by), that should tell you something. And if we’re not careful, we’ll see Dean’s lessons implemented to help a Republican insurgent here in Illinois.
Stay tuned.
The Whole Point of My Ranting
ReplyDeleteIs summed up by Rick Klau When a state rep from Palatine can amass an e-mail list of 100,000 names (more than four times the size of the Governor’s list, by the by), that should tell you something. And if...
Rick-- Isn't that State Rep from Plainfield, and not Palatine??
ReplyDeleteDuly noted...
ReplyDeleteThat would be ironic...
ReplyDeleteIn other local politics blogging news, I brought up the idea of Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool having a blog. He has kind of been the voice of reason in the sausage factory that is the cook county board. His chief of staff seemed open to it.
ReplyDeleteIf they try to make it more than just a series of press releases It could be an interesting take on local politics.
Rick, I hadn't heard that you were out at the Obama campaign. Oh well. They were pretty much anal about reading every post you had anyway...
Developing....
When a State Rep., from Palatine - or Plainfield, can get a list of 100,000 email addresses....
ReplyDeleteIt just reinforces your message, Rick, they could be from Cairo and they're doing better.
I would print this out and make a couple thousand copies in flyer format, and ten years, when it's proven you're right you send it off to all the delegates and take over the Democratic party in Illinois.
ReplyDelete...Well maybe a little overboard there, but excellent points :)