Are 'Indiscreet' Images On Social Networks Really Having An Impact On Elections?
from the seems-blown-out-of-proportion dept
Back in 2006, we wondered what was going to happen when the generation that grew up with social networking started running for office. Would their youthful indiscretions -- now shared with thousands of friends -- come back to haunt them? Or would people just chalk them up to typical youthful indiscretions? I'm not quite sure we know the answer yet, but the NY Times has an article suggesting that we're already seeing the impact, naming a few different campaigns where various images and videos of less-than-flattering activities became a campaign issue. But here's the thing which the NY Times conveniently ignores: it appears that while some tried to make something out of these photos and videos, it's difficult to find any indication that it had any impact at all. Some of the candidates in the article won, and some lost. Those that lost, it appears, were likely to lose anyway. If anything, perhaps the article should have made the point that the American voter is (oh my goodness!) smart enough not to care all that much about someone doing something silly that's caught in a photograph.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: elections, politics, social networks
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Or, all candidates are so lousy in important areas,
Best comment I've seen lately on politics (can't recall where, and paraphrased): [With Obama] What happened? I voted for a Democrat! Instead I got another term of Bush.
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It appears to me that most elections are won through dishonest advertising and cheap shots against the opponents these days.
Perhaps it's a cynical way to look at things, but I think most politicians would be more than happy to spin their opponents' old facebook pics to tarnish their image.
The voters may normally be smart enough to realise that FB pics are silly and shouldn't make a difference, but with enough brainwashing and a well-thought smear campaign, they could make a difference.
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So the recent midterm elections mean...?
I wish more people would think about what they're going to say rather than blindly type it in.
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And more people that wanted to select (R) voted.
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But yes, absolutely you're right, there were several exceptions and those should be talked about and celebrated.
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The only thing regarding O'Donnell's race that was a "gotcha!" moment was the post on Gawker about her going home -- but not having intercourse -- with that one dude. And that came pretty late in a race wherein she'd already distinguished herself more as a nutter butter than a viable political candidate.
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- look into it a bit further
"she was on a television show as a talking head"
- yeah, some time ago on Bill Maher's show ... which he then re-aired later, prior to the election.
"She was saying those things in a professional capacity"
- Oh, ok
"most of those quirky things haven't been disavowed by her"
- I'm not a witch
"The only thing regarding O'Donnell's race that was a "gotcha!" moment was the post on Gawker about her going home -- but not having intercourse -- with that one dude."
- I guess there was no real impact on her campaign due to the videos of less-than-flattering statements.
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Shiet
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Which American voter are is this? I want a name.
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If they are told that they dislike a certain person with "politician x disgraced for previous indiscretions, polls expected to take a dip", then people will follow like sheep.
Reminds me of the classic Clinton impeachment example.
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Also incorrect and easily shown by the outcome of the November midterms. If people simply voted the way the media told them the democrats would have been blown in to office with no effort.
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Perhaps it's the cynic in me but I'd venture that most voters would rather vote along the party lines and ignore the "indiscretions of youth" than to vote for the opposing and better-qualified candidate.
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LMAO good one.
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No, that would be bad. California's proposition system has many great examples for why this is a bad idea. Voters have shown again and again that the vast majority of voters come to vote for one person, then "vote with their conscience" for everything else.
What this amounts to is voters making their decisions by the issue/proposition headline on the ballot itself. This is why California sees a succession of "Clean Water Bonds" pass, when there is never any obligation to use the debt incurred for any specific purpose.
More recently, in my district, voters passed an issue that allows their City Council to hold private decision making sessions. The ballot headline for that gem read "Bring Columbus Ordinance into Compliance with State Law".
No, I have to disagree with Mike on this one. Voters may be smart, but they practice voting stupidly. Real stupid.
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Not only the candidates grew up with social networking
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