May 9, 2007

Many of the major American presidential candidates have MySpace profiles, and I think that is a great way to connect with the younger and/or tech savvy crowd. Below is a snarky list of reasons why politicians should join social networks like MySpace. I don't mean to discourage the candidates from using the site, but these are issues that any campaign must consider.

1. NBC looks there for stories

NBC's Dateline probably frequents MySpace looking for adults trying to befriend youngsters for its popular "To A Catch Predator" shows. Political candidates always want press time.

2. You can come across as accepting

It shouldn't matter how risqué a "friend's" profile picture looks; a president should accept everyone for who they are.

3. MySpace makes it easy to look good

Since the common MySpace page templates are so horribly designed, it is really easy to have a better than average looking profile page.

4. It's easy to come across as more dignified than you really are

Some people create profiles to masquerade as dignified individuals. Don't political candidates do this in real life?

5. Get moral support

I was going trying to find some "gangsta" message written in texting language on a candidate's profile page comment section, but after visiting several candidate profiles it seems like most of the comments are substantive and well written. OMG!

This post is part of ProBlogger's most recent group writing project, with the theme of "top five". Be sure to check out other entries!

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[...] Top 5 Reasons Why Presidential Candidates Should Use MySpace by Steve Petersen [...]
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[...] Top 5 Reasons Why Presidential Candidates Should Use MySpace by Steve Petersen [...]
http://www.colblindor.com/ Daniel

Didn’t know that presidential candidates have MySpace accounts. Suppose their children will run them …
http://www.colblindor.com/ Daniel

Didn’t know that presidential candidates have MySpace accounts. Suppose their children will run them …
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[...] Top 5 Reasons Why Presidential Candidates Should Use MySpace by Steve Petersen [...]
http://monstertruckman.typepad.com Harry L

I think the problem is that most Myspace readers don’t contribute funds or even vote!
http://monstertruckman.typepad.com Harry L

I think the problem is that most Myspace readers don’t contribute funds or even vote!
http://cultureshout.com Michael

Great thoughts. Good luck with the contest!
http://cultureshout.com Michael

Great thoughts. Good luck with the contest!
http://www.bivings.com/ Steve Petersen

Hey guys, thanks for your comments.

Harry, I think that you make an interesting point. Most people on MySpace will probably not contribute to a campaign, but getting young people to at least participate in politics (and hopefully vote) unlike they have before as a cohort is an important step.
http://www.bivings.com/ Steve Petersen

Hey guys, thanks for your comments.

Harry, I think that you make an interesting point. Most people on MySpace will probably not contribute to a campaign, but getting young people to at least participate in politics (and hopefully vote) unlike they have before as a cohort is an important step.
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[...] Top 5 Reasons Why Presidential Candidates Should Use MySpace by Steve Petersen [...]
http://www.theseminal.com J-Ro

In this election I don’t think candidates can afford NOT to use MySpace, which is why all of them do. But, you’ve got to be careful. As Obama recently learned, if you don’t treat the web right, you can get burned. I think a lot of politicians are wary of MySpace and the rest of the web because they don’t really feel like part of the community, and they know that a lot of people who are in with the community are influential and capable of a lot of bad press. Nice list!
http://www.theseminal.com J-Ro

In this election I don’t think candidates can afford NOT to use MySpace, which is why all of them do. But, you’ve got to be careful. As Obama recently learned, if you don’t treat the web right, you can get burned. I think a lot of politicians are wary of MySpace and the rest of the web because they don’t really feel like part of the community, and they know that a lot of people who are in with the community are influential and capable of a lot of bad press. Nice list!
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