Author: Riley Kimball
The 2008 election saw the political process’s entry into the 21st century. After years of lagging behind technology, campaigns finally seized full advantage of new resources available. Web sites featured new levels of interactivity, YouTube transformed into a center for advertising, and the Internet became the most trusted source of political news. With the unprecedented level of technology in this race, gone are the days in which politicians debated the merits of an international “series of tubes.” The government is embracing the new wave of technology, and though this will undoubtedly introduce new issues, it is for the best that the White House progresses.
The Obama-Biden campaign was revolutionary in its utilization of modern technology, particularly “Web 2.0,” the name for the interconnectivity provided by the Internet. In addition to facilitating millions of dollars worth of donations, the campaign Web site provided myriad resources to Obama fans: news briefings, biographical information, campaigning tools and even ringtones. Other technology enabled voters to be constantly connected to the news, with tools like an iPhone application that linked to the campaign Web site and instant text updates with announcements such as Obama’s selection of a vice presidential candidate. Obama even utilized the ubiquitous Facebook and other social networking Web sites to secure the youth vote, sending regular updates to anyone registered as a fan. Many say that if not for Obama’s use of modern technology, McCain would be the president-elect today.
But Obama did win the Oval Office, and he continues to update the political process. Just days after Nov. 4, Obama launched http://www.change.gov/, a Web site devoted to the transitional period between election and inauguration. Posts on this site deliver on Obama’s promises of government transparency, allowing anyone with Internet access to do anything from view recent Cabinet appointees to apply for a job within the administration. Taking a cue from FDR, Obama has begun his own series of weekly “Fireside Chats.” Unlike FDR, however, these are not played over the radio, but rather displayed on change.gov, Hulu and YouTube. These videos serve the same functions as FDR’s radio broadcasts: to comfort and reassure the United States’ citizenry and to allow the public a chance inside Obama’s head. This use of modern tools to inform Americans is a huge step forward from the current administration, famous for stonewalling investigations and limiting public knowledge.
Despite the boon they provide, all these advances in the utilization of new technology will also introduce some new-age problems. For example, President-elect Obama’s cell phone records were recently invaded by Verizon Wireless employees. Though the problem was quickly rectified, given Obama’s famous attachment to his Blackberry, such a breach could have become an intelligence crisis. And because a simple Google search can now reveal dark secrets of a person’s past, the Obama Administration’s job applications require thorough listings of contacts and relations, safeguarding against attacks on staff during the next election. Such are the challenges presented by the modern era, the price of an advanced government.
Obama has established a precedent of connectedness with the American people. Through revolutionary levels of interactivity with and accountability of the government, the public will gain new levels of civic engagement, ushering in a new era of politics. Though it remains to be seen whether or not the coming administration can outpace the growth of technological threats, the coming era will be a revolution for the people’s involvement in the government.
Riley Kimball is an undeclared first-year. He can be reached at kimball@oxy.edu.
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