politicians on twitter

@UWTwtrBook

Politicians on TwitterPoliticians on Twitter

Jon HickeyJon Hickey

@UWTwtrBook

Why This Sector?Why This Sector?

o Politicians rely on communicationPoliticians rely on communicationo Allows citizens to become more involved in Allows citizens to become more involved in

the political processthe political processo Potentially increases conversation and Potentially increases conversation and

engagement in the political spaceengagement in the political space

@UWTwtrBook

Common CriticismCommon Criticism

o ““It’s a case of Twittering while Rome burns. It’s a case of Twittering while Rome burns. They whipped out their BlackBerrys and They whipped out their BlackBerrys and began sending text messages like high began sending text messages like high school kids bored in math class.” - Dana school kids bored in math class.” - Dana MilbankMilbank

@UWTwtrBook

Norms Norms

o Very little engagement – Palin, Boehner, Very little engagement – Palin, Boehner, Obama don’t use @ replies.Obama don’t use @ replies.

o Most Politicians use it as a broadcast Most Politicians use it as a broadcast medium rather than an opportunity to have medium rather than an opportunity to have conversations.conversations.

@UWTwtrBook

Most Human – Claire McCaskillMost Human – Claire McCaskill

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Most Innovative – Thomas CastilloMost Innovative – Thomas Castillo

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Most Replies – Dana RohrabacherMost Replies – Dana Rohrabacher

91% of Tweets are @ replies

@UWTwtrBook

McGinn!McGinn!o Was polling 5Was polling 5thth until a couple until a couple weeks ago, then 3weeks ago, then 3rdrd before election night.before election night.

o Currently in the leadCurrently in the lead

o Uses Twitter to inform media, build hype, and Uses Twitter to inform media, build hype, and share opinionsshare opinions

o Launched #totv (Tweet out the Vote) Launched #totv (Tweet out the Vote)

@UWTwtrBook

CreditsCredits

o Jon HickeyJon Hickeyo jon.r.hickey@gmail.como @jonhickey84@jonhickey84

o Creative Commons License:Creative Commons License:share-and-share alike; non-commercialshare-and-share alike; non-commercial

o http://uwtwitterbook.com/about/2009-http://uwtwitterbook.com/about/2009-presentationspresentations