Rozanna

This is a report which discusses how technology is being used in the campaign trail. Republicans as well as Democrats use the latest technology to target voters of every age and to put themselves out there. The main target seems to be teenagers and young adults through social networking sites. Older people are more likely to use the candidates’ official websites. I will now present the technologies and address the advantages and disadvantages. I will also add links to show how and where exactly the technology is being used. The technologies being used include:  v  ** YouTube ** – millions of people worldwide access YouTube almost everyday therefore there’s more chance of candidates being seen and becoming more well known for what they do and how they do it whether it be charity work or having to make a speech.  v  ** Television (BBC/CNN) ** – television can show speeches, documentaries charity work etc. of the candidate. Most of the news coverage is focused on the elections as it’s an important time for the U.S.   v   ** Social Networking Sites (Facebook/MySpace) ** – there are currently around 40 million Facebook and MySpace users and counting at the moment. So again, a lot of people will be able to support their favourite candidates. Users can add the candidates as a friend or join groups made for and about the candidates and speak out along with other supporters.  v  ** Official Websites ** – the candidates also have their own official websites which are quite informative if voters are willing to read all the information given. Some of the categories within the websites include:  Ø  ** Donations ** – voters can make online contributions of any amount they wish. ** https://contribute.hillaryclinton.com/form.html?sc=3  Ø  ** Auto-Biographies ** – people can find out a bit more about the candidate’s personal life and their family for example where they grew up and how they became involved in politics.  Ø  ** Pictures - http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=About.PhotoGallery  **  Ø  ** Videos - http://www.hillaryclinton.com/video/ Ø  ** Blogs – ** blogs allow people to discuss their thoughts and feelings about certain issues. http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hqblog __ [|http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/health-care/<span] ____ http://www.barackobama.com/issues/disabilities/ __**<span __ **__EVALUATION__** I think technology helps in many ways to promote each candidate even though technological based promotion is more targeted towards youth. Although this will inform youths of what’s going on in the world and give them a chance to get out there and vote for their country. __** There are some privacy and realistic issues that come with the use of these technologies. With social networking sites and YouTube users may not be sure what information to trust because with all the latest software people can spread false information around the internet and manipulate people’s decisions. Candidates might have personal information, pictures or videos spread out to the public which they do not wish to be shown.
 * __ SUPER TUESDAY __**
 * __ INTRODUCTION __**
 * __ PRESENTATION OF TECHNOLOGIES __**
 * __ http://www.facebook.com/hillaryclinton?ref=s __**
 * Hillary Clinton - http://www.hillaryclinton.com/</span **
 * Barack Obama - http://www.barackobama.com/index.php</span **
 * John McCain - http://www.johnmccain.com/</span **
 * Ron Paul - http://www.ronpaul2008.com/</span **
 * Mike Huckabee - [|http://www.mikehuckabee.com/ <span] **
 * [|http://blog.hillaryclinton.com/ **<span] **
 * Ø Issues** – this shows voters what global issues the candidates deal with and how they plan to solve the problems if they are elected.
 * __ ISSUES & CONCERNS ARISING