Barack Obama’s extensive use of the internet and other social media during his campaign has been well canvassed – although no doubt there are plenty more studies still to be done on this.
As he makes the shift from candidate to President, attention is now focusing on some of the ways he might use the internet and various online tools as President to transform political communication – and hopefully also political participation – in the USA.
But for all the focus on cutting edge communication techniques, it seems that the new President may have to go without something as ‘old’ and routine as email.
According to the New York Times, Obama is likely to have to give up using his Blackberry and even be prevented from sending emails, due to issues around email security and legal requirements regarding record keeping of Presidential communications.
At least he’ll be spared the modern nightmare of keeping on top of all his email messages.
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So it looks like Obama’s criticism of McCain not knowing how to send an email was a canard. He didn’t even need to.
Does that mean Obama can’t set up a YahooMail account to conduct business like Sarah Palin. Obama’s staff can’t set up personal email accounts for business like Karl Rove did.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2007/03/23/BL2007032301067_pf.html
This will be interesting. It’s the convergence of a tech savvy President, a loyal and receptive base and cutting edge communication. It will be interesting to see what it looks like when the reality of Politicking (and subsequent disenchantment) collide with the breathless and wide-eyed support for Obama.
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