A Vote for Digital Media: Obama Begins Online Re-Election Push
Social and digital campaigning is expected to be a popular tactic in the months leading up to the 2012 presidential campaign. Although Election Day is still about 19 months away, President Barack Obama has released a series of digital initiatives — from a YouTube video to emails and text messages — to kick off his re-election campaign.
The campaign — which has been asking supporters "You in yet?" — showcases a different tone than the "Yes We Can" message used in the 2008 election. As highlighted in the YouTube clip, the focus is less on hope and actually addresses some of the president's limitations.
One voter in the clip details how Obama can't do it all by himself: "Unfortunately, President Obama is one person, plus he's got a job. We're paying him to do a job, so we can't just say "Hey, can you just take some time off and get us all energized?' So we better figure it out."
A man named Ed from North Carolina confesses in the clip that although he doesn’t agree with Obama on everything, he still respects and trusts him.
The president took to his Facebook page to promote the video with the following statement:
"We've always known that lasting change wouldn't come quickly or easily. It never does. But as my administration and folks across the country fight to protect the progress we've made — and make more — we also need to begin mobilizing for 2012, long before the time comes for me to begin campaigning in earnest."
The campaign has also been running ads on Facebook.
Supporters also received text messages on Monday (April 4) with a similar message: "Today, we are filing papers to launch our 2012 campaign — because we’ve got a lot more work to do. Say that you're in — Barack Obama."
