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By Xavier Mohr
SLReports.net Although I have been absent from Second Life recently, one of our great contemporary issues – somewhat related to the virtual world – has captivated my attention recently: online support of political candidates. Perhaps it is my disassociation from the virtual world of late that gives me the courage to write today about the faux-pas subject of politics. As I have said on a number of occasions... deal with it or read something else! LOL I have been watching amazedly the social networking sites, blogs, news site comments, and chatrooms over the last six months or more. With Super Tuesday now behind us, it's interesting to look at whose Internet followings came through for the cause, and whose failed miserably. My first, and most obvious example, is Ron Paul. Over the past several months, this man has possibly amassed one of the largest and most devoted online followings of any U.S. presidential candidate. His supporters are educated, loyal, and quick to point out favorable stances on issues affecting the American people.
The problem with Ron Paul, of course, has been converting individuals within this Internet fan base into campaign contributors. Lest we forget, without money most presidential campaigns are doomed to joke references on the Tonight Show and pity invites to debates dominated by more viable candidates. The Ron Paul example goes to show us that there is no replacement for a real-world presence... which takes a lot of money. Television, radio, and newspaper ads are key in swaying the opinions of undecided voters. Speeches at universities, town hall meetings, and small-town cafes create invaluable soundbites that help solidify votes. Hillary Clinton is another prime example of the waxing-and-waning nature of Internet followings. Roughly 8 to 12 months ago, the online support for Hillary would have led any casual observer to believe she was the shoe-in for not only the Democratic nomination, but as the winner of the General Election itself this coming November. Now, however, it would appear that she is fighting for supremacy from an ever-distant second place. Despite the growing use of our electronic medium, it would appear that Americans – and citizens of the world in general – have not yet shallowed themselves to exclusive following of the hype they see online. Of interesting note is the '08 GOP frontrunner this year – John McCain. John McCain has suffered miserably... incessantly... from virtually no online following, and in fact has possibly been subject to more taunts and torments from the electronic community than anyone else in this campaign. Yet, the man emerged the clear favorite for the Republican nomination on Super Tuesday. Perhaps these examples go to show an underlying conservative streak in all human beings across the planet. While we readily participate in online communities, we do not reserve or limit ourselves to the hype that is all too common in our favorite websites and forums. Perhaps for all of us, there is still an inherent amount of trust in all things tangible, existent in the real world. The shining exception to all of this, of course, is Barack Obama. But more than an exception, maybe this simply hints at the correct way of how to use online media... as a synergistic relationship to real-world efforts. Obama himself had a thin and scant online following only a few months ago, which has now grown to dominate the entire election process on the heels of his charismatic speeches, favorable political attitudes, and an ever-growing – viable – real-world campaign that other candidates can only dream of having at this stage in the game. Perhaps Obama's inner circle has come to realize that most people use the Internet as a support and research mechanism for their real-world beliefs, values, and interests. In any event, I think that – at least this time around – people still value real-world efforts, and rarely base their core beliefs exclusively on those of the online community. I expect we'll see this realization played-up and manipulated during the next round of Senatorial elections, and even more so in the 2012 presidential campaigns. In politics, the Internet has proved an invaluable tool... but has also proved it cannot singlehandedly support or sustain one's campaign. It has – again – proved to be a support tool only. As a Democrat who grew up in a prosperous, booming society during the Bill Clinton years, my mind has been made up for a long time. I believe that Hillary Clinton has the right stuff to make the United States work again. Her favorable views on human rights, national healthcare, foreign diplomacy, and national security speak to my core values. Beyond ideas, however, I believe that experience is key in making change happen. No candidate... be it Hillary, Obama, McCain, or Huckabee... will be able to follow through with their entire agenda in their first year, first term, or entire presidency. Wars happen, congressional control shifts happen, disasters happen... it's through experience that a successful leader can stick to his or her core values, negotiate with opposition, and make as many changes as possible given the circumstances. Ideas are great, but they don't make the world go around. But on the ideas front, Obama is not a bad candidate. He stands for change, which American desperately needs right now. My only issue with him is that a presidency by no means operates on happy thoughts alone. His thinly-veiled circle-talk on in-depth issues leads me to believe that in the face of serious circumstances, he would falter... acting on poor thinking and rush judgement rather than experience-based, coordinated decision-making. In any event, it must be said that neither of the Democratic candidates this year turn me off per say. At their cores, both Hillary and Obama stand for the values I feel would truly benefit this great republic. My Clinton-Obama dream ticket seems far-fetched given recent issues... which is sad considering each seems to have what the other lacks – Obama with charisma, and Hillary with experience. However, I still have hope for my country... and still believe that – given the alternative – Americans will decisively choose one of the two in the General Election. John McCain is just... ugggh.... Bush in a different body. His supply-side Reagan economics do not work by any stretch of the imagination... a fact to which President Reagan's own son, Ron Reagan, readily admitted on network television last week. McCain is ready and willing to stay in Iraq (quoting) for "another 100 years." His talk of (quoting) "an ailing Washington culture" blatantly omits his own track record of inconsistency in the Senate... a record that neither Democrats nor members of his own party approve. I swear that the GOP creates these candidates from an unchanging mold. I just hope that – like me – Americans are sick of conservative political robots and ready for some logic in government. If there is one positive impact, though, that the Internet has had in the '08 elections it is definitely awareness. More people in more countries are excited about a change in American government... and rightfully so, in my opinion. Just my two cents, of course! I'll catch you all on the flip-side.
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