Dr. Optimism says….

This is exciting stuff to see mainstream candidates recognizing the importance of New Media and social networking.

The Cranky Cynic says…

I am wary of folks losing their objectivity, when leaders in the vlogging world appear to not to report, but to jump on board with the first candidate who shows interest in them.

I hope that I am viewing this wrong and I will see the same folks making the same effort to work behind the scenes with every candidate who makes a concerted effort to utilize this medium.
I hope that we will see a balanced representation of all of the candidates. If a candidate hires New Media stars we will never get that.
So, as candidates begin to use YouTube, RB and the like to get their message out remember that they don’t necessarily “believe” in what you do. They simply hope that it will help them acheive their end goal.
As you watch video on the net of a particular candidate, consider the objectivity of the source.
For those of you out there reporting and competing with mainstream media and their journalists, please show us how this medium can change an entire national presidential election, not just showcase one candidate who was the first to come knocking at the door.

By all means, have fun boys and girls.

I posted links to all the videos and the text post over on John Edwards blog:

http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2006/12/30/81629/105

Rob - I haven’t jumped on board with John Edwards, although my ‘reporting’ is not objective either. I bring to my video and text posts my own feelings which I think make my posts different from MSM, who has to maintain a presentation of not being biased.

I’ll admit that I like John Edwards. In my blog post I’ve outlined things that he might want to consider doing differently on future blogger meetings. I don’t agree with him on gay marriage, but I’m also not a one issue voter. Part of the reason I went up to New Hampshire was to see my good friend Chuck Olsen and Robert Scoble. I was interested inteh back story behind the YouTube video, and I got that story on video.

I’m interested in the behind the scenes operations of events like this.

I’ll tell you right now that I also like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. I hope they both decide to get into the race and I’d be happy to go shoot video when they head up to New Hampshire or visit Boston.

When I read Rob’s comment, I thought about it from the established journalism perspective of that attempted detachment, that balanced reporting coverage, etc. And I sort of nodded along with the sentiment, saying, “Well sure. That’s how it’s supposed to go.”

And then, after reading Steve’s comments, and thinking about them as well, I have another thought.

There’s CNN on one side and Fox on the other, and they’re clearly agenda-posing-as-unbiased. There are the broadcast stations, and those are just aiming at market share while still trying to present it clear and open.

I’m wondering why we should track towards those models at all. Why NOT go after it with passion.

You know who’s insanely passionate? Ze Frank’s supporters. Who else? Evilvlog. (Trust me, I know). Why not let videobloggers run wild with passion.

The only thing I’d stress: disclosure.

I wonder if Social Media Club has weighed in. I forget to go there sometimes, but I won’t any more.