Not So Fast Frank
I read the article by Frank Watkins entitled, “Technology, the Internet and Progressive Politics,” and while I agree with everything he said about Democrats still ignoring the internet’s full potential, while Republicans seem to be incorporating it quite well. But, I think he is missing a huge component to politics, especially in fundraising. The face-to-face ask is still the preference for fundraising! I truly believe any campaign is not bringing in their maximum amount of money each day if the majority of the campaigning in conducted online.
I’m already assuming my opinion will not be all that warmly received – seeing as the positive assumption about the internet and campaigning is basically a prerequisite for this class, or we wouldn’t be taking the course.
I am a Liberal, but I’m not an Idealist. I know it is not logical for every candidate to meet and speak with every voter. But I think in all our eagerness to adopt new technology mechanisms for reaching voters, especially at the local and state level, we must remember that nothing can replace the candidate (or someone from the campaign) making a physical and personal connection with a voter.
3 Comments:
I agree! With new technology, old yet effective ways of fundraising can not be forgotten. Direct, personal, and many times face-to-face fundraising is especially important with large donors.
True that roommie!
I think you point is valid across the campaign cycle - from fundraising to GOTV.
Dean thought that having a huge quantity of people would help him win in Iowa and NH. But Edwards and Kerry put the time into meeting people face-to-face, and making sure the local media knew them and would endorse them.
In the end, the quality of the contact time can be as important - but you need to combine that with studies like IPDI's Influentials report to maxime the effectiveness of that contact time.
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