Blogs will win it for presidential candidates

The next presidential election may well become known as the new media election.Since that defining media moment in 1960 when Richard Nixon's 5'o clock shadow lost him the run off against JFK,the media has always played a high profile role in politics.




The project for excellence in Journalism carries a report on the use of new media in the American presidential campaign.




"In 2004, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean gained early momentum in his bid for presidency by using a new political tool, his campaign Web site. Setting new standards along the way, he used the Web to help raise roughly $50 million, to communicate directly with supporters through a blog, create a legion of new political activists called “Deaniacs,” and even organize gatherings called “meet ups.”
Three years later, Howard Dean’s campaign is best remembered for its sudden end, but his legacy may be something else. In 2007, all 19 candidates for president have Web sites, and blogs are the least of it."


The report studies all 19 candidates websites and amongst its conclusions

1. Blogs, a novelty in 2004, are now mainstream. Fifteen of the 19 sites feature their own official weblogs, and seven offer users the chance to start their own


2. sites have fully embraced politics as a two-way conversation with voters


3. The top candidates—those with the most money and poll popularity—have the most technically sophisticated sites, update more often, use more video and include more news articles. They also focus on fewer issues.