Internet failed to vote in New Hampshire

by David Holtzman

Cnet makes the interesting observation about the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries that they were won by handshakes, not by the Internet.

The absence of something is rarely news the way that anticipated events hit the front page, but it made me stop and think when I read this. I would argue that the Internet has played less of a role so far, then, say 2004.

Many people (including myself) thought that this would be the first election that was completely dominated by the Internet. I was wrong. So far, it's been old-fashioned politicking. Sure, the web was used, but was it significant? Has anyone cared what the bloggers have said this time? Even the high priest of internet politicking, Joe Trippi, seems to have failed in accomplishing what he was supposed to do for the Edwards campaign.

It will interesting to see if tech plays a bigger role in the general election.

Posted on January 10, 2008

1 Comment
Politics

Hmm... I would say that is partly true. Even though the handshakes are what won the voters, the Internet is what paid for the handshakes.

Obama even expressly solicited people this way, telling online donors that if they contributed a certain amount he would be able to take a day off from regular fund raising and hit the streets of Iowa.

It seems to have worked.

Posted by Mike on January 10, 2008

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