The Internet and Elections

It has been observed that blogging is growing as a tool for promoting not only online engagement of citizens and public servants, but also offline engagement. Blogging activities by members of Congress, governors, city mayors, and police and fire departments in which they engage directly with the public. Blogging is also used within agencies to improve internal communications and speed the flow of information. Mr Tony Blair has been a fan of the Internet and and the technology revolution. Tony Blair delivered a message of congratulation's to the French President-Elect, Nicolas Sarkozy by posting a video on YouTube. To view the video, please click here. Never one to shy away from technology and the fact that we are living in a new age, Tony Blair has supported the Internet as a growing resource for politicians.

During the 2004 U.S. elections, the Internet did play a pivotal role. Politicians, still new to the idea of exploiting the Internet, used it haphazardly. Email was the main use as a media form. The Internet meant that politics can now be international. One of the frontrunners for the Democratic nomination, Mr Howard Dean, used the Internet to rally support and he went on to go from a no-hoper to one of the top contenders. I guess this says enough of the Internet. It is wide enough to reach any target audience and the fact that it is international, politicians can now reach out to everyone, whether for better or worse.