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Campaign: Online Activists Want US Drug Reform

Description: As the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama nears, many Americans are putting together a wish list of the most pressing issues that they would like to see the Obama Administration work on first. While the war on terror continues to take up primary attention worldwide, America’s longest and most difficult war – the War on Drugs - has been given a back seat. However, with recent popular culture depictions of the drug trade and urban blight on the acclaimed show, The Wire (and Obama’s favorite TV show), some digital activists hope that with “change” in the White House, there will also be some change in how to approach this timely domestic issue.

Digital Tools Being Used: Facebook
What Are They Doing: Students for Sensible Drug Policy, a grassroots network of activists concerned about drug abuse, are running an “online rally” on their Facebook group page through the end of January, with a goal of getting 100,000 people to sign a petition, asking Obama to reform the nation’s drug policy. The petition specifically wants the next head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to have a background in health, science, or education rather than in military, law enforcement, or “tough on drugs” politics. “The next ‘Drug Czar’ should treat drug abuse as a health issue rather than a criminal issue and move away from a ‘War on Drugs’ paradigm,” according to the group.

Barack Obama wins online campaign

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.

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.”

Campaign: Obama-mania goes overseas

Description: Presumptive U.S. Presidential candidate Barack Obama will be traveling to Europe and the Middle East later this week to meet with opinion leaders and supporters. Most importantly Obama will be rallying Democrats living overseas. Nearly six million American expatriates living in over 90 countries are eligible to vote in the November election, according to the Associated Press. Obamaholics worldwide are taking the opportunity to get out the vote for their man.

Tools Being Used: Facebook, social networks

What Are They Doing: Democrats Abroad is the official Democratic Party organization for the millions of Americans living outside the United States. They are using their Facebook page to inform supporters about the latest political news and reminders about registering to vote. American expatriates for Obama in Jordan and France have set up Meetup pages to remind supporters about upcoming Obama meetings.

“As an American it really warms my heart to see the support for Obama across the world. He is a once in a lifetime leader!” said Jason Bell on the Hong Kong for Obama Facebook page.

DigiActive News: Co-Founder on hiatus for Obama

Dear DigiActive Community,

I am excited to inform you that I have accepted the position as New Media Operations Manager at Obama for America. In this position I will assist the Director and Deputy Director of New Media with project management and logistics work for the department.

For this reason, I will be taking a hiatus from DigiActive until after Election Day (November 4th, 2008). During my absence, DigiActive will be managed by Co-Founder Amine, Editor Talia Whyte, Director of Applied Research Patrick Meier, and the rest of the DigiActive team.

I look forward to watching DigiActive flourish throughout the coming months and will return to my full duties in November.

Very Best,

Mary Joyce
Co-Founder, DigiActive