Social networking’s influence on the election

The influence of candidates using social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace to reach young voters will not be revealed until after the election. Barack and McCain even have their own own social networking sites. However, if the race rested on social networking site figures, Obama would win. Obama has even made fun of McCain for being out of touch because he does not know how to use email.

Jason Manning, formerly of The Washington Post, now Director of Student Media at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication spoke to my class about whether social networking will influence the outcome of the election. Manning shared an interesting site, TechPresident, that tracks how the candidates are using the web. Based on the number of Facebook and MySpace supporters, Obama would win, however Real Clear Politics poll averages reveal that the race is neck and neck with only a few points difference between the candidates, as Manning showed the class. Social networking sites are more likely used by young people. According to a recent Pew Internet report, “two-thirds of internet users under the age of 30 have a social networking profile, and half of these use social networking sites to get or share information about politics or the campaigns.” And young people are more likely to be Democrats. Thus, the outcome of the election may rest on whether young people decide to vote, and perhaps, whether these sites motivate them to get to the polls.

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