Social Media, Presidential Candidates and the Caucus!

My cell phone has been Twittering at me all day! I found out that Barack Obama was "Fired Up!...And Ready to Go!". Earlier today Chris Dodd reminded me that today is Caucus Day and I should go Caucus for Chris Dodd!

Yep...today is Caucus Day and as I blog it is 7:30 p.m. here in below zero weather in Waterbury, Vermont -- home of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Ben and Jerry's and some of the most amazing TEA (Vermont Liberty Tea).

Burning questions of course are who will move on from here to New Hampshire and who will find that the caucus goers have said "Thanks...but no thanks?" My question is actually simpler...well...maybe not. What does social media have to do with it? Did the Twittering and Facebooking and MySpacing and Action Centers and blogging make a difference and get more people out to caucus or help spread the word in any way?

Hard to tell...

But...how about we take a look at today's websites and a sampling of blog posts and social network sites. Alphabetical order of course and unlike the mainstream media, I'll cover them all -- not just the "favorites". Here we go!

Biden (D): Lot's of Iowa going on! Messages, videos and declarations that Iowa stands with him. Hmmm...we will see very shortly, won't we?
















Neither MySpace of Facebook have much activity going on tonight -- not much discussion and the MySpace Blog hasn't been updated.

The Candidate Blog, however, has some "live blogging" going on from one caucus precinct. There are currently 44 comments to the posting.

Overall...not that much activity.


Clinton (D): Surprise -- lot's of Iowa going on here too! This campaign is actually telling you HOW to Caucus...and showing you how with a video! Testimonials from individuals who are "late deciders" are also evident.

















Over at MySpace, there is a posting in the blog area yesterday with an appeal that if you stand with her for one night, she'll stand for you as president every night. Hmm....45 comments to that posting.

Facebook is current with the same blog posting and lots of current YouTube videos -- many well-wishes from "wall posters" -- not from Iowa (grin).

The campaign blog has the same post -- they are being consistent! 54 comments to that one.

Dodd (D): The Dodd campaign will help people find their caucus location. There are Caucus photos and blogging about the Caucus results on the main site.

















MySpace has posts from supporters wishing the candidate well, but not much interaction from the campaign about the caucus at all. Hmmmm....


The Campaign Facebook Site is certainly more up to date -- RSS feed applications and Twitter -- no video and minimal interaction from individuals though. One person indicating that they will be Caucusing for Dodd tonight.

While there is staff blogging going on...not seeing any comments from others there at all.


Edwards (D): Big Iowa focus here. Even the "Action Center" area is focused on Caucus information. The "Iowa Blog" has a personal message from the candidate and easy to follow "we can help" information.
















The MySpace hasn't been updated save for the posts from supporters -- even the Twitter feed is 50 days old. Nothing here are all about Iowa.

At least the Facebook info is porting in from the main candidate site so it looks more up to date. Words of encouragement from wall posters.

The blog, as I mentioned is really up to date and focused on Iowa. Images from the Caucus are all over.

Giuliani (R): This candidate has skipped Iowa and according to news reports is hanging out in Florida right now. Here's his website anyway.

















Not much about Iowa at Facebook -- some discussion in general. Nothing about Iowa at MySpace and very little discussion at all.

Gravel (D): Hardly any mention of Iowa here -- just a notation that they are on the ballot. Focus here is on New Hampshire.

















At Myspace, not much about Iowa at all. It's pretty quiet actually, with some Happy New Year wishes...but that's all.

Over at Facebook at least one person has publicly stated they are caucusing for Gravel. There is up-to-date information here to some extent.

The Campaign blog most recent activity is from December. Not much going on their either.

Huckabee (R): (projected winner of the Iowa Caucus for Republicans as of 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time from CNN). The site is stripped down and focused -- Iowa is front and center with news items and the option to join "My Huckabee".

















Nothing about Iowa at the MySpace site. And the discussion board/wall has been disabled, so there isn't anyone celebrating.

Over at Facebook the congratulations are already rolling in -- and the campaign had even created an event for the caucus!

The Huckabee Blog is up to the minute with current news items about the Iowa victory.

Hunter (R): Can't get the site to load. Not in IE or in FireFox -- don't know what that campaign is doing...but um...oops!

Keyes (R): Not much to report here save for the fact that the candidate posted an caucus night party announcement on the main site.















Kucinich (D): Not much about Iowa at this site except a note to supporters in Iowa to put in Obama as a second choice.

















No links out to the social networking sites save for YouTube.

The blog has not been updated in some time, so there is little to no information on Iowa.

McCain (R): This site is already thanking Iowa and moving on to New Hampshire. According to CNN, McCain came in fourth with 13%.















The Blog is posting tonight from New Hampshire -- no mention of Iowa at all.

No big links to social networking sites either. However, the Facebook site is fairly active and up to date with individuals declaring their support.

Obama (D): The Obama Site is clearly emphasizing Iowa and is keeping things up to date as he is declared the winner tonight in Iowa.

















His MySpace has a lot going on and the congratulations are rolling in as news comes out that he has won the Iowa Caucus.

Over at Facebook the congrats are also rolling in and the site is pretty up to the minute -- pulling in data from the main candidate site.

The site blog is up to the minute as well with projected winner posting and many comments.

Paul (R): This site is still calling for people to Caucus at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time! Not much specific for Iowa however.

















Not much going on at either Facebook or MySpace other than continued postings of support and hope for New Hamshire.

The "Blog" isn't referencing Iowa much either.

Richardson (D): This campaign is focusing on New Hampshire as well (came in a distant fourth in Iowa) with very little mention of Iowa.

















MySpace has fairly current info, although the blog has a posting from yesterday. Support and comments are on the site.

At Facebook there was a call for a get out the vote earlier today in Iowa. Other than that, not much about the Caucus.

The blog was fairly up to date with a clear get out the vote message. Very little comments though.

Romney (R): This candidate came in second in Iowa (according to CNN). The website is really pushing things with a live stream from the caucuses on the "splash" page and a get out the vote message on the main site.

































Not as much activity on the MySpace site -- posts are several days old, and there is little to no mention of Iowa.

Over at Facebook not much emphasis on Iowa either although there is a discussion about the values of Huckabee vs. Romney!

No updates to the blog.


Thompson (R): Had a personal message on the site to Iowa voters.

















The Myspace hasn't been updated in a bit, however the wall/discussion has supporters wishing the candidate well in Iowa -- looks like he came in third.

At Facebook its similar with reports in from Iowans who attended the caucus.

The Blog references a video of the candidate preparing for the Iowa Caucus.


Whew!

Now we wait and watch...I expect several to drop out over the next few days, which will make for some interesting posting!