Last Wednesday, President Barack Obama once again embraced social media and held a live streaming townhall on Facebook. Obama met with Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, California, fielding questions from the audience. Wondering what does this all means for the future of politics and the internet?
Social Media Helps Campaigns
Obama’s 2008 victory was clearly influenced by the way he embraced social media to get his message out. And, it will definitely influence the future of politics. There are political parties, individuals, PACs, and small groups that are all using Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media to get the word out. Why? They realize that it’s inexpensive and very pervasive. You can reach a lot of people without a huge effort.
Facebook Needs Important People on Their Side, Too
According to Dan Lyons of the Daily Beast, “This company is gathering more personal information about more people than any other company ever, even more than Google. Suddenly it is dawning on everyone, including members of Congress, just how much power Facebook is amassing.”
You Scratch My Back, I’ll Scratch Yours
During the interview, Zuckerberg praised Obama for the work his administration has been doing on Race to the Top, “I think the Race to the Top stuff that you guys have done is one of the most under-appreciated and most important things that your administration has done.” A little later, Obama praised Zuckerberg for his large philanthropic gift to public schools in Newark, New Jersey.
Facebook has a very large audience, and bringing it together with a powerhouse like the president of the United States is a great way to give both Facebook and the White House exposure.
Obama is embracing social media. Are you?
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Tags: california, Facebook, Obama, president, social networking, townhall
