Re: Senator McCain - Community Counts - You Choose '08

[dodiligens]

The Republicans have bankrupted the government, allowed for the gutting of regulations over industries that put profit over public health and safety, distorted the threats to the US to seize ever widening powers, facilitated the promotion of torture as policy, blurred the separating line between church and state, increased the danger of Islamic fundamentalism, and demonized the opposition to the point that working together becomes a political liability. Shame on them all.

[j0eg0d]

I like your idea David. I also think it would be a good idea to involve the media with the changes we seek to represent here. I've emailed a few news sites in regards to the exposure and lack of political feedback here. Perhaps you could encourage people from your website to push this issue onto various news organizations so we can force our politicians into opening better dialogue with us.

[dcolarusso]

I prefer the term "encourage," but yes, I'm in touch with people outside. What I find most compelling is the fact that Community Counts is a user generated solution to a perceived community problem. At present, 8 of McCain's approved replies include links to Community Counts in their descriptions. This only works if the community wants it to. So please leave a comment for Senator McCain.

[j0eg0d]

Obviously the candidates are hesitant to speak freely amongst us and that's a real concern. I know we could encourage the candidates to be more open with us, but I'm very open to creating pressure so they have to do this. McCain doesn't like the internet - I would love to change his opinion of it, but we're alone against those that would rather give him low ratings above original feedback.

[dcolarusso]

I'm sorry you feel that way. I, for one, would rather give it a go then give up.

[SwingingDemon]

stop rambling fag ass

[dcolarusso]

Just for clarity's sake, was that directed at me?

[DickGhostmoon]

That's a really good idea.

[dcolarusso]

There is a typo in McCain's tags "20008" instead of "2008." If you search this, you'll find at least 7 replies that haven't been approved. Let me think about how we can make a fuss.

[dcolarusso]

Your video's now up. It seems they're simply slow to approve.

[EasyMath]

The candidate cannot be pinned down.

[dcolarusso]

Participating in the Spotlight is an attempt on the candidates' part to appear accessible. This may be self-serving, but it establishes an implicit agreement that they're listening to the engaged community, in this case YouTube. So if a large enough set of the community calls for them to answer a specific question they risk alienating the very community they are trying to win over. We can leverage this to help change the dynamic. It doesn't have to be a waste of time if we work together.

[wogsland]

Do you think my question was softball or delivered with tongue to far in cheek to be taken seriously?

[dcolarusso]

I'd say it "defied description," hence "overpopulation." ;)