US Election Special
UGC & Video Sharing
The ease of posting opinions has created a flood of video clips from candidates, satirists and actors.
YouTube
On YouTube, candidates every move is exposed, analyzed, discussed, and parodied. However, many successful clips are campaign-oriented, like the Yes We Can music video (10 million views), and Sarah Palin's first ABC interview, (attracting as many online viewers as it did on TV (2.8 million views). YouTube also took UGC to the floor at conventions by setting up mini-studios for visitors to record and post videos from location.
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Social Networks
Social networking is playing a huge role in the American election campaigns, using all sorts of techniques to encourage users to vote.
MySpace
MySpace offers an invaluable insight into what the new generation of younger voters would like to see change. Check out their Impact Channel, watch the live debates between the candidates and get questions answered.
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Gather.com
The over-30s social network’s Create Debate forum is a place where you can contribute to debates through polls and submit questions to candidates to answer at their leisure.
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ECOresearch
Award winning project where you can cast your vote weekly & take part in a real-time campaign quiz.
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Digg
Get digging; share news, submit content, comment, check out the candidates profiles, add candidates as friends to show support.
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Facebook
A partnership with ABC brings reporters’ articles, videos, and blog posts from the campaign trail and useful apps like the ‘2008 Presidential Election’ where you pitch your views and compare them against those of the candidates.
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Linked In
Politics is a business after all and the candidates join the online network of more than 30 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries.
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Virtual Worlds
Virtual worlds - a place for real world politics.
Second Life
The VW hosted a major music festival, arranged by the Obama for President Organisation in a drive to register hard to reach Americans. Supporters from across the world were invited to "an afternoon of music, fun and activism."
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Data Aggregation
Data-aggregating sites have popped up everywhere to try and organize the massive amount of political data at large.
Twitter
The microsite is a source for gathering public opinion about the presidential election, aggregating live "Tweets" about the election, including thoughts, reactions and observations.
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Google
Google's In Quotes lets users run queries for issues like "recession" or "energy", then see what Obama or McCain have said about them in interviews or statements.
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The Economist
Countries around the globe get a certain number of electoral ballots to use to "vote" in the election. The ultimate "global winner" may impact the vote for some.
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Glassbooth
Unlike other "pick-a-candidate" websites, Glassbooth makes users pick priorities at outset. If you don't care about education, for example, you won't be asked questions about it.
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Other
Independent orgs, charities, newspapers, and religious groups have their own sites
Rock the Vote
Rock the Vote uses music, popular culture and new technologies to engage and incite young people to register and vote in every election.
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If The World Could Vote
What would happen if the world could vote in the US presidential elections? Well there’s 104,000 votes from 176 countries so far.
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The Great Schlep
The Great Schlep aims to have Jewish grandchildren visit their grand-folks in Florida, to educate them about Obama, and swing the crucial Florida vote.
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Declare Yourself
A national nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign to empower and encourage every eligible 18-year-old in America to register and vote.
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The Live Journal Community
A worldwide initiative called US Elections 2008, where non-US papers collect public opinions of US citizens about their country's presidential election.
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Satire
Some of the work is satirical, like the Nobama-sponsored Obama cartoons.
Nobama
A community site created for all things NOBAMA encouraging NOBAMA or PRO-McCain content.
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Niche
Niche sites get in the act.
iVillage
iVillage is broadcasting exclusive Obama campaign coverage
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Brands
Social media is proving to be a huge marketing force, as brands join in.
Vegas.com
"The official Vegas travel site," launched Crapshoot '08 with the tag, "Because you need to be drunk to make it through this election."
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Burger King
BK’s national ad campaign urges diners to make their political opinions heard just as freely as they do their orders. BK Facebook and MySpace apps also allow users to showcase their own political opinions, compare their views with friends, pick "advisors" or debate.
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7-Eleven
"Vote" by choosing an Obama or McCain branded coffee cup. A running tally by region is available for those who want to see what the average Joe is choosing.
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