Spreading the Message

We have seen over the past few years the amount of influence technology has had on campaigns. We don’t receive our messages how we once used to; we now live in a world where everyone has a black berry and iphone. In the article “Technology reshaping campaigns” from news-record.com author Gerald Witt, explains, “Technology in the 2008 election is eroding the power of campaigning through traditional media — television, radio and print.” We know longer look to the television we just pick up our cell and look online to find the latest news. Blogs and emails are the new social networking way for us all. These are new ways for people to get politically involved, but are they necessarily the best way is the question?
I personally find this way of media best for a lot of people but this also raises another question and that is are these new ways of technology a motivated disengagement for people? As much as I find these new technologies easier for people because you can look online, I also think it goes back to this concept of motivated disengagement because a lot people might be motivated to not think about politics. When the only way to pay attention to an election was through television, radio and print did it make people more engaged? In the article it also discusses how so many people don’t even understand how they ever lived without a cell phone because it is something that is basically attached to our hips. Melissa Westmorelan a 24 year old UNCG graduate and regular facebook junkie had to say ““I look back to what we were doing four years ago, and I think, 'Oh my gosh, how did we get anything done with the tools that we had then?” I wouldn’t take it that far to say how did we get anything done, but it’s weird to think about. Do you feel disengaged?

http://www.news-record.com/content/2008/10/31/article/technology_reshaping_campaigns

Obama on energy

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/31/obama.energy/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Obama discusses an idea of lifting an oil ban off of the Virginia coast to start drilling for oil and natural gas in the Atlantic. The administration feels as though this could potentially benefit the energy industry but majorly upset environmentalists as discussed in the article on cnn.com. Obama plans to conduct surveys to "determine the quantity and location of potential oil and gas resources to support energy planning."
This issue is one that is important to the attentive public audience, those who keep up with politics and stay informed on topics. This is a major offshore oil plan that affects everyone and although it sounds like a good idea, it may not be the best. The inattentive audience however may see this as a great improvement, but need to stay current with the facts and how this may impact our environment. There is a reason for the ban in the first place, who decides to undo the ban?
Obama uses artistic proofs to persuade the country to follow his decision the way he introduces this and how he gets the audience to take the matter.
The administration's ideology behind this matter is said not to be guided by politics, but by scientific evidence that there is a need for our scarce resources and a belief that resources are available off of the Virginia coastline.
The advertisment of the issue will be beneficial in gaining support for undoing the ban and drilling for oil and natural gas.

"Big Help" Award goes to Michelle Obama

The Obama’s have become a very influential family in America. If we do not see Barak Obama in the news one day, we more than likely see Michelle Obama. Being the First Lady is practically like being a celebrity. Michelle Obama, whom before her husband’s presidency was unknown in America, is now a highly respected woman. An article from Examiner.com explained how First Lady Michelle Obama won the “Big Help” award at Nickelodeon’s 23^rd annual Kids’ Choice Awards. The award went to an individual who wants to better the world and has significantly improved not only her own, but other communities, too. The main areas that improvements are being made to include: environment, education, health, and wellness. Michelle Obama is also working closely with projects and organizations that are trying to stop the childhood obesity rates, which have been skyrocketing lately. Because she is the First Lady, Michelle Obama receives an enormous amount of both free and earned media. Having her husband as our president puts a lot of pressure and media on the Obama family. Michelle has taken this free media and used it to help better the world. The First Lady’s outgoing and friendly personality was a very persuasive and positive influence on the children and parents watching. Aside from seeing free and earned media in this article, this can also be compared with the multiple celebrities that have been elected for offices. Jesse Ventura (famous wrestler), Reagan (famous actor), and most recently Arnold Schwarzenegger (actor), all are examples of using free and earned media. Because many people already recognized these names and faces, it put them at a greater advantage. Michelle Obama has a greater chance of influencing the kids and adults of America to improve our environment and health because of her celebrity-like status.

Raising issues on gay marriage

An article in the New York Times titled, "Maryland: Impeachment Threat Over Gay Marriage" discusses how Dwyer a republican member of the House of Delegates plans to bring impeachment charges on the House Floor against the state's attorney general, Gansler. Dwyer argues that Gansler overstepped his authority in issuing a legal opinion last month saying that the state would recognize same sex marriage. Gansler was arguing for gay married couples to have the same rights as heterosexual couples. Gansler was hoping to guide state officials in this direction and now Dwyer is talking about impeaching him for it. I think this is ridiculous, Gansler was stating his opinions and speaking up for gay couples, just because he is a state's attorney general does not mean that the issue is going to pass or he is leading people to believe in false issues, he was just simply raising the issue and hoping to guide state officials towards his direction.

I think this issue relates to agenda setting. It is not telling people what to think, but what to think about. I think that was Gansler's idea from the beginning. He wanted to raise the issue of gay marriage and wanted to get people thinking about it. Once people are thinking about the issue it starts to generate buzz, which hopefully will have a positive turnout. I think Dwyer is wrong for making such a large deal about Gansler raising the issue on gay marriage. I am glad that Gansler raised this issue and is trying to get it out into the public.

War in Afghanistan is Essential

President Obama made an unannounced trip to meet with afghan officials today, March 28th. Obama realizes the importance of continuing the United States partnership with the country, and has hopes to bring the violent country to peace. While in Afghanistan the president will speak with about 2,000 U.S. soldiers to motivate and thank the troupes for serving our country. I like how Obama is getting on a personal level with the troupes; I find this to be very inspirational. Obama met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the Presidential Palace to discuss ways in which the Afghan government can strengthen its ability to run the country and in the end will bring Afghanistan to peace. I like how Obama is showing addressed this current situation by actually meeting with Afghan officials face to face. This will allow the process of healing the country to occur on a much more rapid pace. This is also helping the American people to have more faith in Obama, because he is helping assure peace for every American.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/28/obama.afghanistan/index.html?hpt=T1

Palin Supports Former Running Mate

This article, "Palin Hits the Trail for McCain," from CNN.com talked about the campaign speech Sarah Palin gave in Tuscon, Arizona endorsing Senator John McCain. The article explained that this was their first time appearing in public together since McCain announced he was conceding in the 2008 Presidential Election. Although Palin recentrly resigned as governor of Alaska, she is still using her popularity to try and help McCain get re-elected. Some think that it will be a pretty close race between the senator and opponent J.D. Hayworth. The article also talked about several Tea Party activists are actually supporting Hayworth and several Tea Party activists are not supporting either candidate because of the record in Congress. This article reminded me alot of the chapter in our book that talked about the one candidate who allowed President Bush to endorse him, which actually hurt him in the long run because so many Republicans were not happy with what he had done while in office. He ended up losing to the democratic candidate. Sarah Palin recieved a lot of criticism when she was running for Vice President, for not being intelligent. So the questtion is, will her endorsing McCain help him or hurt him? We will all just have to wait and see.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/26/palin.mccain/index.html

Obama Bypasses Senate Process

This article is about president Obama and how he showed his executive authority just one day after Congress left for spring recess by bypassing the Senate and installing 15 appointees including a union lawyer. Because of Obama's victory on health care legislation, this move suggests a new president who is not afraid to provoke a confrontation with the minority party. The Senate Republicans sent Mr. Obama a letter urging him not to appoint the union lawyer, and it was the first time the president has used his constitutional authority to fill vacant federal positions by making recess appointments and avoiding the requirement for advice and consent of the Senate. I think this shows that since Obama had his big victory on health care legislation he is now stepping up and taking charge and showing his authority. He is showing his power and using it to get his message across by making big decisions. I also think this article is an example of agenda setting because it is exploring an event and the issues that were covered and addressed. Obama addressed the issue and it was covered by the mass media. This big step for Obama was covered because he is a legitimate candidate and it was an important event being covered.

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/us/politics/28recess.html?hp