Romney's Facebook Campaign

I am not quite sure if I have not noticed this on other campaigning politician's Facebook pages, or if Mr. Romney is doing something different.  I noticed that as a part of his campaign, Mr. Romney is posting what I would consider his speeches so that people can get to know him better.

This particular morsel I found particularly amusing.  It seems that Mr. Mitt Romney is having a raffle to come on the road with him for a day and you can bring a friend!  If you donate $5 or more, you are automatically entered.  I have to say that I think this is clever.  I don't consider it to be shady clever, just straightforward clever.

Also listed are some interviews.  I strongly dislike interviews with people regarding the promotion.  "VIDEO: We asked private sector job creators what they think of Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus".  It was no better than advertisements on TV.  They somehow have the ability to cheapen his position due to the fact that everyone has an opinion on the stimulus and perhaps it is because I am just sick of hearing about it.  The money is gone.  Nothing can be done.

My favorite portion of his page thus far is the "Here is how I will control Federal spending".  I appreciate, very much, that this campaign is requiring the contenders to really think about how situations will be encountered while they are president.  In the last race for the Democratic party, I really noticed that neither Hilary Clinton or Barack Obama gave details specifically relating to the issues of the time.  I was really disappointed and very frustrated by that notion.  I am asked in each job interview how I would  handle certain situations in order to demonstrate my skills to my potential new employers.  Why do politicians not have to?  Is it because we as a people have not required it of our candidates?  I think so.  I happen to think that there are so many stressors in our current economy and daily living that the people of this nation are needing plans and details...much more than promises.  I say, it is about time.

New New Media and the Campaign

I have been quite curious how the Republican race would play out, now that new new media is more common than it was four years ago during the last race.  Unfortunately, I did not follow much in regards to the new ideas regarding campaigning, so in essence this will be my "first race". 

I looked briefly at Sarah Palin's Facebook and noticed that even though she has not announced her intention to run for President of the United States, she has several videos listed that I would consider advertising material.  The difference is that she does not have to pay the high prices for her ads.

Today I noticed a contender who had announced his intention to run for President, Mitt Romney, is utilizing Twitter for Americans to get to know him on a more personal level, which is more of what I expected for new media use vs. posting commercial-type ads.  I must admit, though, I was really looking forward to get to know some of these candidates on a more personal level because in the past I have felt as if I have been kept in the dark regarding the politician.  I wanted a "real person" to be elected for quite some time now, and the only way to find out their personality and how that personality would handle the stress of being our president would be to hang out with them.  What better way to get to know someone than that?  And isn't this the purpose of community sites?  To hang out with a specific person or persons?  It is in my mind.

With this in the forefront of my mind, when I read Mitt Romney's post(s) I was anything but feeling like a friend.  It seemed...commercial-y.  It seemed...speech-y.  I was disappointed.  So now I have to wonder, exactly what was I expecting?  Well, I am not sure.  I wanted...substance.  I wanted what felt like a person.  Instead, what I received was more of the same in a different media.  Have we really gotten to this point?  Have all the brightest and best minds in media campaigns just given up?  Perhaps I am just missing the wow-factor posted somewhere out there and I need to keep looking.  Or perhaps these folks actually need to post their own information- then it won't sound like a newspaper interview.  Or, maybe I just need to lighten up with my ideas different medias fitting different showcases.

Federal Grants

Every so often I look online to see what is being offered in the way of grants through the federal government.  I do this because I am curious.  I realize it is kind of weird to be curious about government grants, but oddly enough it gives me an idea of where the government is at in terms of disease, military, possible upcoming scientific breakthroughs, etc.  You get the idea.

I was moseying around on grants.gov and you will never guess what I found.  I knew you couldn't guess it, it is a federal grant from DARPA.  DARPA stands for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and is located in Arlington, Virginia.  The Title of the grant is, are you ready? Drum roll, please...

"Social Media in Strategic Communication (SMIGSC)" 

The introduction to this announcement talks about blogs and other media sharing technology are quickly changing how the Armed Forces operates.  It acknowledges that effective use of social media has potential to help the Armed Forces "understand the environment in which it operates to allow more agile use of information in support of operations", (page 4 of the announcement).

The announcement covers four goals that the funding opportunity wants to achieve:

1. Detect, classify and track  ideas and concepts from the formation through the spread these ideas and concepts.  The second portion of this goal is to detect, classify and track gossip and incorrect information.
2. To pinpoint situations in which there is persuasion and influence operations across social sites.
3. Identify those involved, the purpose of their involvement, and how others are being effected.
4. Not only stop, but correct adversary influence operations.

What does this mean to me?  The government knows that it needs help in finding, breaking up and using our own persuasion techniques in keeping America safe, especially now that there is so much talk of "homegrown terrorism" for quite some time now.

Under the background section, the announcement talks about events are happening that are of strategic and tactical importance to the military.  I have to agree, I guess I just did not realize that this is how the government goes about looking for the support they need to further their information and technology.  I think it is a great idea- those people who have good ideas and skills are usually very happy to use them for money.  After all, who would have the ability to quit a job and develop technology plus test it without an income at all?  Not I, not I.

There are three sections in which DARPA is willing to split out the $42 million price tag for the total award:  the first section is in the technical area, as in software development.  The second area is the data management, which is where the "performer" creates the controlled environments and performs experiments.  The third area is the test and evaluation of the software/algorithm.  Of course, a person/business is allowed to submit a proposal for just one section, or team up with others.

You can find the entire announcement here:  DARPA

Obama's Job Speech

Do you know what today is?  Yes, it is September 8, 2011.  Obama gave a speech today about jobs for the nation.  I have been looking forward to this speech since I learned about it a couple of weeks ago.  It was supposed to occur a couple days ago, but the Republican debate was held that day so Obama chose another day for his speech.  This morning I was even excited to see this speech, just because of all the hype about it.

This evening I received a phone call from a person who calls me when she has extra perennials that she does not want, so I go get them and throw them in my yard to get rid of the bare all over.  She called this evening and I dropped everything and ran over there, and got 3 large bags full of plants, how exciting, right?  I got home, took care of a couple things, and, guess what?  Speech was over.  I did not think to record it before I left.

But never fear, we live in a very media rich world!!  So, guess what I found!  President Obama's Speech!  I love YouTube!!

President Obama talked about stopping the political circus and help the economy.  He acknowledged the uncertainty in long term service to a company that congress has not always held in their best interests.  He introduced a new bill, with the purpose of more people going back to work, and those working to make more money.  Payroll taxes will be cut in half, and he wants this plan to be passed right away.  I was a little surprised that he did not outline more specific details of what is in the bill. He did talk about different tax cuts for businesses for hiring veterans, or giving raises to staff, or increasing how many jobs they are providing. 

 I am not positive at this point if this is the level of detail that is typical of a president to do, or if the public is normally informed by our President about more specific details in a bill when s/he introduces it.  I realize that this is the way Obama has been since he was campaigning, in fact, the way he answered questions is what intrigued me to start listening to more politics.  Only listening to future Presidents will give me my answer.

Back to the beauty of our media; there is already a response to Obama’s speech!  Yes, ladies and gents, this is the beauty of politics and new, new media.  Check it out here.