Just a quick post to give Senator Obama a pat on the back. I did a google search for MN GOP caucus locations and the Google Ad at the top was Where to Caucus for Obama. Now that’s really reaching out to the other side.

You would think one of the other GOP candidates would have ranked high organically or paid given that search term.

So the issue is does it really matter? Probably not now it doesn’t, but over time this is the kind of thing that sneaks up on you. Search is just one element in using the web to communicate, build, and organize around a candidate or an issue. The numbers of people on social networks might be small compared to the numbers that mainstream media can deliver, but look at the last two presidential elections. They were determined by turnout in key precincts. As political candidates seek to get every one sympathetic to their ideas out to the polls, social media should be viewed as a lighting fast, cheaper phone bank. I’m not saying don’t do phone banks, I’m saying don’t ignore the growing effectiveness of social media and other web vehicles to reach certain key segments of support.

By spending a little time in the sandbox, before you know it, you’ll have followers, you’ll have dialogue, it is a way to give your volunteers a place to coordinate and things to get excited about. Ask anyone who is active on Twitter, blogging or Facebook how networks can organically grow. If you give it a little work, they will grow rapidly. Clearly Obama’s campaign is honing its web and social networking skills. He’ll have a headstart over his GOP rival, should he be the nominee.

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