Social Media and the RNC Chairman’s Race

December 26, 2008 by Cato  
Filed under Blogging, Media, National Politics, Republican Campaigns, Virginia Politics

We knew it was coming.  The Dems mastered social media and used it to kick our collective backsides in 2008.  Now the Republicans are all crying the blues and claiming to be hopping on the internet bandwagon.

Social media, while obviously important, is not a silver bullet to victory.  It’s a tool; a tool that must be used properly in order to be effective.  While groups like Rebuild the Party and people like Patrick Ruffini and Shaun Kenney (read Shaun’s Modest Proposal) are helping to show the way, our party leaders need to grasp these concepts and fast.

Our sister site, The Campaign Edge, has an overview of which RNC chair candidates have a clue, and which don’t.  No, I’m not looking for our next chairman to be a geek.  I want a chairman who understands we need to communicate with and activate the grassroots using every available tool.  (Jason Taylor provides an interesting analysis of Sal Anuzis, Michael Steel and their use of social media.)