Comments on: The Web and the Race For the White House http://www.bivingsreport.com/2008/the-web-and-the-race-for-the-white-house/ The Bivings Report (TBR) is a source of news, insight, research and analysis on the web-based communications industry. TBR content is posted, created and managed by internet strategists, media/communications analysts, web developers, designers and programmers, all of whom are employees of The Bivings Group. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:47:12 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: e.politics: online advocacy tools & tactics » Quick Hits — February 5, 2008 http://www.bivingsreport.com/2008/the-web-and-the-race-for-the-white-house/comment-page-1/#comment-282257 e.politics: online advocacy tools & tactics » Quick Hits — February 5, 2008 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:49:37 +0000 http://www.bivingsreport.com/2008/the-web-and-the-race-for-the-white-house/#comment-282257 [...] The Web and the Race For the White House. Overview of online support. [...] [...] The Web and the Race For the White House. Overview of online support. [...]

]]> By: Jonathan Trenn http://www.bivingsreport.com/2008/the-web-and-the-race-for-the-white-house/comment-page-1/#comment-282252 Jonathan Trenn Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:51:15 +0000 http://www.bivingsreport.com/2008/the-web-and-the-race-for-the-white-house/#comment-282252 I don't think it's too early to say what FOul just said. The proof is in the numbers. I bet that if you gauge they percentage of Ron Paul supporters who are involved with his campaign in some way online, said percentage would be astronomic as compared to the other candidates. That likely means the demographics of his supporters are both internet savvy but not very influential. And his message, while unique and compelling, doesn't resonate beyond his base. Digital strategies aren't going to change that. So I'd suggest that the Paul situation is not indicative of the power of or the weakness of a candidate, it just merely reflects the way support flows and ebbs in the offline arena as well. It's not about the wisdom of the crowds at all. It's about passionate followers of a unique candidate who has a limited appeal. I don’t think it’s too early to say what FOul just said. The proof is in the numbers.

I bet that if you gauge they percentage of Ron Paul supporters who are involved with his campaign in some way online, said percentage would be astronomic as compared to the other candidates.

That likely means the demographics of his supporters are both internet savvy but not very influential. And his message, while unique and compelling, doesn’t resonate beyond his base. Digital strategies aren’t going to change that.

So I’d suggest that the Paul situation is not indicative of the power of or the weakness of a candidate, it just merely reflects the way support flows and ebbs in the offline arena as well.

It’s not about the wisdom of the crowds at all. It’s about passionate followers of a unique candidate who has a limited appeal.

]]> By: F0ul http://www.bivingsreport.com/2008/the-web-and-the-race-for-the-white-house/comment-page-1/#comment-282239 F0ul Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:53:35 +0000 http://www.bivingsreport.com/2008/the-web-and-the-race-for-the-white-house/#comment-282239 Its possibly to early to say as yet, but it does seem that having an online presence is useless if it doesn't translate to the outside world. Ron Paul (who I would support) has not been able to convert people off the web into real votes - that is the key skill. Maybe the main lesson from this campaign is that what people do and say online, and what they do in real life are two totally different things. Maybe the wisdom of crowds really is hogwash after all?! Its possibly to early to say as yet, but it does seem that having an online presence is useless if it doesn’t translate to the outside world.

Ron Paul (who I would support) has not been able to convert people off the web into real votes – that is the key skill.

Maybe the main lesson from this campaign is that what people do and say online, and what they do in real life are two totally different things. Maybe the wisdom of crowds really is hogwash after all?!

]]>