As I’ve said before, there’s no candidate, Democratic or Republican, running for President that I can support. It’s all the same old story, power grabs by inexperienced Obama, and more-of-the-same Hillary (at least with her, we get Bill as Secretary of State) to Guiliani, who seems like a truly unprincipled man.
My dream team is Bloomberg and Gore, but Gore’s not likely to run. Bloomberg is, however, and I’m joining his growing online support. I’ll be as transparent about what I’m doing as I possibly can, but I can’t tell you everything I know. I hope my readers will understand and accept that.
I’m interested in politics from a marketing point of view, and in the role social media marketing will play in this election, and that’s the view from which I intend to cover it.
The most interesting thing I’ve learned recently is that a candidate has until 90 days before the election to get on the ballot. With Michael Bloomberg’s money, and resources, he can certainly get the necessary signatures. Bloomberg has little public charisma, but I’m pretty sick of charismatic politicians. I want one who can run the country with a steady hand on the wheel and be beholden to nobody. In my view, that’s Mike Bloomberg for President in 2008.
I have that sinking feeling about mainstream media and the 2008 presidential candidates, and I increasingly distrust everything they say and do. Hillary bashing has quickly become mainstream media sport, and we’re on our way to an updated smear campaign like the ones we’ve seen in every election from Senator Thomas Eagleton’s depression in 1972 to the Dean Scream that stupidly did in his candidacy.
Screw that! It’s time for change.
Here are some interesting places to follow what’s happening online, and I’ll keep adding to the list as the movement grows:
Uniteformike.com – which calls itself the official home of the Draft Bloomberg 2008 Committee
There are two major Facebook Groups, Bloomberg in 08 and Mike Bloomberg for President
I belong to both.
Scott Adams declared for Bloomberg on his blog yesterday
There’s even an anonymously posted (by a Republican?) viral video making the rounds
Thank you for throwing your significant hat into the ring. Here goes something!
You need to Google Ron Paul. :)
The traditional media still has the major proportion of influence on the American Psyche. In that light, Bloomberg with his lack of charisma won’t carry the day.
@small business marketing – ye of little faith. have you not realized that blogs have moved markets (Apple stock for example) with a single post?
Mainstream media’s pack journalism mentality won’t cut it with the public after eight years of Bush.
Voters and activists, especially young ones, know that they’ll find their real news online first.
Every single day, MSM reports on what’s being said and done in blogs and other social media. You’ll hear from us loud and clear.
I would suggest that throwing your hat in the political ring on the social media blog might open a can of worms you’re not looking for.
Certainly covering Bloomberg’s and others use of social media and other online tactics is news worthy and interesting, but throwing support behind one candidate or another is opening up a specific type of debate which i don’t think you were looking for.
Altho’ I believe the internet in general and blogs specifically make a huge impact on public opinion, especially among the younger citizens (which would include the Timeless ones like me :) , I submit that the general news coverage which doesn’t even raise a viewer’s brow when the powers-that-be do a complete shutout against Dennis Kucinich, are guilty of misrepresentation in the extreme.
So how does the informed public balance out the uninformed public who listen only to “bottled” news? Dennis is leading a varied internet and in-person campaign, but if his views never reach the nighttime news broadcasts on tv, there remains a long, hard road to victory. I daresay that fear is what drives this shutout.
Thank you for this opportunity to speak.
I respect your right to advocate for one candidate or the other, but please don’t turn this blog into an “All Michael! All The Time!” platform the way I’ve seen other online publishers do.
We like your wide variety of interests. Keep telling us about them too.
Don’t worry Martha – this isn’t going to become a political blog. like you noted, I have a wide variety of interests revolving around online marketing.
there already are plenty of political blogs.
but i will definitely cover the election from an online marketing point of view, just like i covered the last one.
Run, Mike, run!
Make my [election] day.
I’m glad to see you showing support for Mike here on your blog. I am a New Yorker (Tennessee, by birth), and have seen just how well he has done for our city.
For me, the biggest draw is his private sector management experience. I think people focus so much on finding the candidate that agrees with them on every single issue, and lose sight of voting for someone who has the basic management skills to manage an operation as large and complex as the United States government. Ultimately the president is the executive arm of the US government, and the day-to-day role of the president is an executive management role.
Bloomberg has these skills.
He is also non-partisan, and governs pragmatically, based on what works, not dogmatically based on an ideology.
If you would like to read what politicians, business leaders and other noteworthy individuals have to say about a possible independent presidential run by Mike Bloomberg, have a look here:
http://www.RunMikeRun.com
It also contains videos of Bloomberg speaking about his position on many issues. I think you will enjoy it.