“To help build a new foundation for the 21st century, we need to reform our government so that it is more efficient, more transparent, and more creative.” – President Obama, April 25, 2009
Throughout Barack Obama’s campaign I was constantly thinking to myself how much it reminded me of John F. Kennedy. I think all of us have seen those infamous clips of the television debate between Nixon and Kennedy. Even in the grainy, black and white picture, you can make out a pale, sweaty Nixon contrasting with a young, tan Kennedy. Both sides have their take on the events. Whether you want to argue that Nixon was sick, or Kennedy’s medicine gave him the appearance of being tan, this debate had an unforeseen impact. The television brought them into American’s homes. It was a new, up close and personal approach to the presidential campaign.
Over the years it has become quite ordinary to see the president on television. Whether he is addressing congress or it is a political campaign ad, we do not think twice about it when we see it. Well, just as television impacted democracy, internet too will change our lives drastically. Thanks to You Tube and Facebook, Senator Barack Obama launched himself into our daily lives and created an unbeatable following. Had it not been for the aid of the internet, we may not call him President Obama today.
I found an interesting article from back in 2008. Entitled How Obama’s Internet Campaign Changed Politics, this articles shines a light on what was about to become. I personally think the internet has had a positive impact on democracy. The most obvious example is Obama’s success. Many argue that Obama is spending too much time in the limelight. That he is more of a celebrity than a President. But I truly beg to differ. Haven’t we always adored our president’s and first families. The media has always wanted to know exactly what the president was doing, or what designer his wife was wearing at the last event. As with any change, people are going to be fearful. Especially when this change is directly affecting your nation’s government. Democracy is still going to have the same principles at its core. Instead of political cartoons we have Tina Fey impersonating Sarah Palin on SNL. Instead of Nixon looking pale and sick we had McCain looking old and outdated. The internet and all that comes with it is just going propel democracy to different places. It is our responsibility though to pay attention to the facts, make informed voting decisions and stay tuned to the current political topics.
There are always going to be those who do not care enough to vote, those who vote simply by party association, those who vote based on race or religion. But if we use the Internet to our advantage, we can strive to educate the American public and hopefully break the mold from this old way of thinking.
Interesting Links:
The White House Issues: Technology
“The Open Internet- Preserving the Freedom to Innovate”
