Internet and the Election

In 2004, the emphasis was heavily directed towards the younger voters and this upcoming election seems to only magnify that approach. This week, sites such as MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, and Friendster are all allowing viable political candidates to set up pages or videos on their websites aimed specifically at a younger, more tech-savvy generation. While some are lagging more than others, candidates like Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, and even Sen. Dennis Kuchinch (D-OH) have taken the lead and be more pro-active. To me this is the same gameplan laid out by Fmr. Pres. Clinton back in 92' when he appeared on MTV and answered varied questions from the first war in Iraq to even smoking marijuana. Fast forward 15 years and the resources available now are varied and cost effective. If a candidate can tap the "Gen Y" or "Gen X" in this upcoming election they will definatly be a force to be reckoned with. The problem is motivating them enought to get off the couch and vote which is a task in and of itself.

Democrats Iraq Plan

Several major Democrat politcal candidates have outlayed their Iraq pull out plan and they all seem to be strikingly similiar. Senators Obama and Clinton have a plan that enables the US to pull out all troops by 2009. Their plan is different than the Republicans with US forces acting strickly in a supporting role and almost as "Terrorist Police" north of Baghdad. They both seem to be taking a lot of heat from the left for being too soft on the war with Pres. Bush. The only candidate to go on record wishing that he could recount his vote is Fmr. Sen. John Edwards. He has stated repeadly that voting was a mistake and the war is a disaster. Experts have predicted that Sen. Clinton will have the toughest time with the Democratic party since she already is perceived as having a "Lover her Hate her" reputation and this will only hurt her with anti-war Democrats.