Thursday, March 13, 2003

If you are going to use a gun, better know how to use it. Campaigns using the Internet to do poll's need to be aware of what a poll does -- and why the validity of the sample is important to the results. On the Web, Everyone's a Pollster. After listening incredulously as U.K. politicians asserted the citizenry's support for war in Iraq, a British Web developer decides to hold his own nationwide electronic poll. Problem is, say experts, polling more people does not ensure more-accurate results. By Leander Kahney. [Wired News] 7:00:41 AM

Campaigns, the Internet and Privacy... Here's that privacy thing again -- and this article is relevant to the Dean experience.  But the following quote is especially poignant, from more than just the privacy perspective... Dr. Cornfield said the very nature of the Internet requires vigilance among users. "This isn't a leaflet that gets crumpled and put in a trash basket," he said. "That's what's different about the Internet. This information does not decompose." Guarding Grass-Roots Privacy. THE World Wide Web is a powerful tool for political campaigns seeking to put out information about a candidate and in turn collect information about supporters. But managed incorrectly, it can also alienate those supporters and send the wrong message. By Lisa Napoli. [New York Times: Technology] Toxic statements and personal information do note degrade or disappear.  This makes the web a great resource for accountability and a potential hazard for careless users. 6:57:54 AM

Hmm... this internet thing really works doesn't it? Campaign manager for Howard Dean's campaign is surprised that a recent rally in New York took place with ZERO advance work from campaign staff.  Ordinary folks used the Internet to organize the event. Still, the fact that campaign events are coalescing without official instigation excites Dr. Dean's campaign director, Joe Trippi, who has worked on presidential bids by Edward M. Kennedy, Walter F. Mondale and Jerry Brown and joined the Dean campaign days before the Meetup event on March 5. "I've never seen anything like that, with no advance people, totally self-organized by a bunch of citizens," Mr. Trippi said. "It was a really great moment." Like Online Dating, With a Political Spin. Hundreds of people turned out in New York last week to hear a presidential candidate at an event organized not by his campaign staff but by a Web site. By Lisa Napoli. [New York Times: Politics] Seems like Trippi has learned a valuable lesson.  Perhaps Cluetrain should now be required reading for political campaigns. 6:55:08 AM