Vote iQ is a brand spanking new social networking site recently launched to provide a political discussion platform that goes beyond what Facebook can readily do. The creators have found that divergent policy and values beliefs create tension among friends on Facebook. They wanted to build a site that was based around politicians' and candidates' positions to encourage the sharing of knowledge to enable voters to make more informed judgments. Rick Shenkman believes that Americans' political knowledge has been declining over the last half century, and wishes to give the public a ground level voice that encourages trust.
Mr. Shenkman also believes that there are some seven to eight million "political junkies" who are the initial target audience. I personally think that it is highly possible that number is much greater considering the last decade of congressional spending and the tea party movement's growing influence in the political ring. I believe the November mid-term elections will be a defining moment.
Vote iQ is headquartered in Gig Harbor, Washington, and is using a highly detailed algorithm that matches people and politicians through policy questions and the importance of each issue to the user. Shenkman wants to make politics simpler with "issue-based summaries for every topic" under the Hot Topics section. An added bonus is that Vote iQ will be tracking lobbyists on each issue.
With the additions of James Carville, political consultant to Bill Clinton's winning presidential campaign in 1992, and Dr. Frank Luntz, considered to be the "Nostradamus of pollsters" who is well known for his instant response focus groups, to the advisory board, Vote iQ has gained some political powerhouses to lend more credibility to the project.
Savvy political operatives like David Plouffe, Obama's chief campaign manager, know that the internet became a political tool in 1992 with the Clinton/Gore campaign. Plouffe used Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to revolutionize how political campaigns get their message out and receive instant feedback. Hopefully, the creators of Vote iQ can take this form of bullet train communication to the next level, and help voters' trust level increase due to a focus on the political landscape without the paid spin from the media.
Reference: Nagesh, Gautham, May, 2010
Source: Hillicon Valley, The Hill, Vote iQ takes swipe at Facebook as a political platform
Mr. Shenkman also believes that there are some seven to eight million "political junkies" who are the initial target audience. I personally think that it is highly possible that number is much greater considering the last decade of congressional spending and the tea party movement's growing influence in the political ring. I believe the November mid-term elections will be a defining moment.
Vote iQ is headquartered in Gig Harbor, Washington, and is using a highly detailed algorithm that matches people and politicians through policy questions and the importance of each issue to the user. Shenkman wants to make politics simpler with "issue-based summaries for every topic" under the Hot Topics section. An added bonus is that Vote iQ will be tracking lobbyists on each issue.
With the additions of James Carville, political consultant to Bill Clinton's winning presidential campaign in 1992, and Dr. Frank Luntz, considered to be the "Nostradamus of pollsters" who is well known for his instant response focus groups, to the advisory board, Vote iQ has gained some political powerhouses to lend more credibility to the project.
Savvy political operatives like David Plouffe, Obama's chief campaign manager, know that the internet became a political tool in 1992 with the Clinton/Gore campaign. Plouffe used Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to revolutionize how political campaigns get their message out and receive instant feedback. Hopefully, the creators of Vote iQ can take this form of bullet train communication to the next level, and help voters' trust level increase due to a focus on the political landscape without the paid spin from the media.
Reference: Nagesh, Gautham, May, 2010
Source: Hillicon Valley, The Hill, Vote iQ takes swipe at Facebook as a political platform
1 comment:
Fantastic post. It seems that campaign messaging is so one sided. By allowing constituents to comment or to question candidates platforms, it allows for more constuents to share ideas and to find answers
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