Barack Obama wins online campaign

Written by Talia Whyte on November 5, 2008 – 11:29 am -

Description: President-elect Barack Obama has not only become the first African American commander-in-chief of the United States, but he also led the Democratic party to win states considered uphill battles, including Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. Obama’s road to the White House was helped with a broad, diverse group of followers, including young people, people of color and disgruntled Republicans, thanks in part to his successful online strategy.
Digital Tools Being Used: Facebook, Myspace, YouTube, Flickr, Digg, Twitter, Eventful, LinkedIn, BlackPlanet, FaithBase, Eons, Glee, MiGente, MyBatanga, AsianAve, DNC, PartyBuilder

What Did He Do: Obama used the Internet for both fundraising purposes and growing a community of like-minded voters who wanted to see the country go in a different direction than the one led by the Bush Administration. According to data from the Federal Election Commission, Obama raised over $470 million in individual contributions through October 15, compared to rival John McCain’s $200 million. Obama accomplished this by taking smaller contributions from supporters and creating an easy online giving process.

Also, his supporters got online to show their support for him on multiple social networks, including a YouTube video from pop star Will.i.am and “Obama Girl.”

The Obama campaign also used text messaging to announce the selection of VP running mate Joe Biden.

Celebrations are occuring around the world online today in support of the Obama victory, including Thursday’s declared holiday in Obama’s ancestral home of Kenya.

While the book is still being written on Obama’s victory, Obama’s digital activism can not be overlooked.

“Take away elements regarding his race and all the hype around his candidacy and you find that he executed a sound online strategy to get his thoughts out to the people and address their issues,” said Navarrow Wright, President and CEO of GlobalGrind.com, in a recent interview. “This was not a fluke, it was true Internet strategy.”


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Posted in Americas, Social Networks |


2 Responses to “Barack Obama wins online campaign”

  1. By Hiren shah on Nov 6, 2008 | Reply

    What Obama has achieved is commendable. He used the internet effectively to get to the people but will he use the net effectively to get feedback from the people? In 2003, virtually the whole world was against the Iraq war and there were internet petitions and signature campagins to stop it but Bush went ahead with a totally wrong war and landed himself and a whole lot of people in a royal mess.

    The question to be asked is- once a person is elected, can he do anything he wants (even if totally wrong) until his term expires. If so, how are we different from our ancestors who did not have the power of net. The fact is the power of the internet should be used effectively to stop stupid politicians from doing what they are not supposed to do. New intenet technologies like professional polls should be invented for that.

  2. By online campaign on Dec 5, 2008 | Reply

    I would like to congratulate Obama for his big win.Youtube played one of the major role to send Obama’s message, ideology across the world.

    The way he went for fund raising through online campaign is commendable.Most of experts are in view that transaction for money is easy in his campaign.Obama used social networking sites to great extent.

    Now Obama has lot of challenges - recession. It is interesting how is going to tackle. It is very interesting to see how he is going to use online medium for his administration.

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