Thought I'd share this with you...
The Obama Mash-Up
Mash-ups are fun to watch and they are all over the Internet, especially on YouTube. According to Wikipedia a video mashup is "a combination of mulitple sourcees of video--which usually have no relevance with each other." They're fun to watch because it combines random elements to create something that is usually hilarious. Sometimes it's as simple as taking different words to make a funny sentence.
There is a popular Obama mash-up all over the Internet that was quite popular during the election, but that continues to be watched.
It's a mash-up combining different Obama speeches to sing the lyrics to Kanye West's "Stronger."
It's an interesting parody that has had more that has been viewed almost 250,00 times. (There are some expletives... bleeped it... but not very well.)
This type of online creation engages constituents in an entirely new way that is only possible in today's electronic world.
The song presents a then presidential candidate in a way that is nothing but orthodox.
I'm also reminded about the "McCain Girls." It's widely known that Obama had an "Obama Girl" who was a young woman who created videos swooning over Obama.
The "McCain Girls" made a video where they sang "It's Raining Men" to new lyrics. They used their creativity to make their support of McCain widely known.
It raises the question. Are these zany methods more effective than traditional methods of campaigning for the individual. The masses can do great things, but sometimes as individuals we feel we can't make a great contribution. Is it possible that creating "viral videos" such as these ones we can support our candidates and our ideas in a more effective ways.
"It's Raining McCain" video has more than TWO MILLION VIEWS!
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Monday, May 11, 2009
Online Politics
President Barack Obama has become the poster boy for the town hall both online and off, but it's interesting if we look back months before the November election Sen. John McCain challenged Pres. Obama to 10 town halls. Pres. Obama declined to holding so many town hall meetings.
Well, now that's in the past and Pres. Obama has traveled back and forth all over the country and recently holding a town hall overseas during his European tour. Most importantly, he recently held an online press conference where everyday Americans could send in questions for him to answer. The event was a historic first and perhaps one of the most talked about questions was one centered on the legalization of marijuana, to which Pres. Obama answered with a resounding "no."
This love affair with new, web 2.0 interactions is not new to his presidenccy, but was already commonplace during the election with the web sites the Obama campaign, as previously stated, but also with events such as the CNN YouTube debates where candidates, both Republican and Democrat participated.
The event took the ability of candidates to communicate for free with the American public and reversed it. Americans were then able to ask their questions to the different candidates and have them played during the debate. Some criticized this event as trivializing the importance of a presidential debate while others saw it as the natural move forward from FDR's fireside radio chats and the JFK/Nixon presidential debates, the first televised presidential debate.
Whether some believe the YouTube debates were democratizing or trivializing is beside the point. Events like the two YouTube debates paved the way for events such as the recent Obama online Press Conference.
Thousands of people send in their videos and in the end only half a dozen or so are answered, and how they are selected is subject for an entirely different blog post, but it truly is change from things as usual, from the status quo.
It is my humble opinion that any venue that can make the people participate more in this participatory democracy is advantageous. Videos can even become viral ads that with little money can reach many people and influence opinion. There may be glitches with them, but they are ways that bring many more people, providing they have access to technology, closer to power. It can be a new forum for keeping our leaders accountable.
Some Readings:
Videos Online
The YouTube election
Some Videos:
Republican CNN YouTube Debate Highlights
Democrat CNN YouTube Debate Highlights
Well, now that's in the past and Pres. Obama has traveled back and forth all over the country and recently holding a town hall overseas during his European tour. Most importantly, he recently held an online press conference where everyday Americans could send in questions for him to answer. The event was a historic first and perhaps one of the most talked about questions was one centered on the legalization of marijuana, to which Pres. Obama answered with a resounding "no."
This love affair with new, web 2.0 interactions is not new to his presidenccy, but was already commonplace during the election with the web sites the Obama campaign, as previously stated, but also with events such as the CNN YouTube debates where candidates, both Republican and Democrat participated.
The event took the ability of candidates to communicate for free with the American public and reversed it. Americans were then able to ask their questions to the different candidates and have them played during the debate. Some criticized this event as trivializing the importance of a presidential debate while others saw it as the natural move forward from FDR's fireside radio chats and the JFK/Nixon presidential debates, the first televised presidential debate.
Whether some believe the YouTube debates were democratizing or trivializing is beside the point. Events like the two YouTube debates paved the way for events such as the recent Obama online Press Conference.
Thousands of people send in their videos and in the end only half a dozen or so are answered, and how they are selected is subject for an entirely different blog post, but it truly is change from things as usual, from the status quo.
It is my humble opinion that any venue that can make the people participate more in this participatory democracy is advantageous. Videos can even become viral ads that with little money can reach many people and influence opinion. There may be glitches with them, but they are ways that bring many more people, providing they have access to technology, closer to power. It can be a new forum for keeping our leaders accountable.
Some Readings:
Videos Online
The YouTube election
Some Videos:
Republican CNN YouTube Debate Highlights
Democrat CNN YouTube Debate Highlights
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