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Assignment that is....

Using this website to try to find information about political candidates was a little overwhelming. Perhaps its because i have comps this Friday, or perhaps its the other huge projects taht i'm working on, but i just didnt feel like i had the time, energy or desire to sift through all the typical bullshit associated with politics. I am very interested in politics, and will pay much more attention to individual candidates as the election progresses, but at this point, we're just seeing the first / second iterations of the same information that these blogs and websites and candidates are going to spoon feed us over and over again over the coming campaign process.

As far as reaching any specific audience... The only audience that i can see any of these websites reaching on any continual basis is candidate either supporters or absolute detractors. Casually political, or more apathetic people will probably rely on coverage on something like cnn.com where eventually all the "political analysts" will present easy to follow grids with graphics explaning who is who and what they think about everything. I dont know that the candidate page is anything more than a place for fanatics to go and scoup up minute to minute information, or for opponent's staffers to do the equivalent of facebook stalking on the other campaign.

I feel that candidates are now using blogs for a few reasons. First, viral marketing and the distribution power of the internet are formidable. They make disseminating information to the world much faster and easier than some other forms of media. They provide this information 24 hours a day, for people to consume at thier own pace. The blog is also sometimes considered personal communication, and allows the candidate (should they choose so) to "let their hair down" and interact on a more personal basis.

Whether any of these candidates are actually writing the information thier blogs, rather than just signing off on it is something we may never know. I am in far too cynical and pessimistic mood to have faith in politicians right now.