Wow, here’s a sign that online political fundraising has gone full-on mainstream: Democratic campaign finance website ActBlue announced today that iit’s reached the impressive total of 1,000,000 individual donations (an excuse for a celebratory fundraising pitch, natch). Most importantly, the money’s been spread among candidates up and down the political ladder, meaning that online fundraising and the small-donor revolution aren’t just for presidential campaigns. And, Republicans STILL haven’t created an effective equivalent, despite an attempt or two, meaning that they’ve effectively ceded this ground to the Dems. Better hope those 527s pan out, guys….
– cpd
May 10th, 2010
Trackback
Bookmark on del.icio.us
Though he was against it before he was for it, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez has now embraced Twitter with glee and vigor, rising to become the most-followed person in his country within days. Of course, Twitter’s a natural choice for a public character like Venezuela’s leader and would-be president-for-life. It’s unfiltered, so there’s no need to deal with those pesky opponents (or worse, journalists) who might add “context,” “interpretation” and maybe even “facts” to the discussion (c.f. Sarah Palin on Facebook). It’s short, so there’s no need to go beyond slogans and bromides. And it has global reach, so maybe actual world leaders will read what he has to say!
Not that he’s necessarily the one saying it — according to the AP, he’s hired a staff of TWO HUNDRED PEOPLE to manage his feed. It’s Twitter as government jobs program, and probably the only part of his policy program that’s actually helping the Venezuelan economy. Way to look out for the little guy, Hugo!
– cpd
May 10th, 2010
Trackback
Bookmark on del.icio.us
