Final Paper Proposal

The 1952 Presidential election between General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Illinois Governor Adlai Stephenson was the first time television was used in campaigning for a presidential election. At the time it wasn't actually thought of as tasteful. In 1956 Stevenson is quoted saying "The idea that you can merchandise candidates for high office like breakfast cereal is the ultimate indignity to the democratic process." http://livingroomcandidate.movingimage.us/index.php Needless to say, the public opinion and the opinion of the candidates have changed. They now harness the television as a key tool for campaigning.

Recent reports estimate that the candidates will spend $1Billion for the 2008 campaigning. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070318/26money.htm and according to Center for Responsive Politic, as of October 26, 2007, $35,718,526 has already been spent by the nominees on “media” which covers “payments for advertising and media production, including TV and radio air time, print advertising, blast faxes, phone banks, Internet ads and media consultants.” http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/exp_defs.asp

Just the way television changed the political campaigning process, so too has the internet. But just how has it changed it? Has the internet’s low overhead cost leveled the playing field for non-federally funded and third party candidates? Has it constrained the politician from making “off-the-cuff” comments? Has is increased the involvement of the average user in the political process?

In my research I would like to (1). Review just how politicians have harnessed the internet to their advantage, and determine if there is a matrix for knowing which party is using it most effectively. (2). Review how the internet can be a politician’s worst enemy and how it might be stifling politicians, and (3). Understand how the internet has changed the average voter’s perspective and contribution to the political campaigning process.

Outline:
I. Introduction
II. The Internet is your friend.
a. Websites, Facebook, and Blogs
b. Howard Dean and Ron Paul
c. Democrats v. Republicans v. The Rest – Who’s winning?

III. The Internet is your worst nightmare
a. What built you can destroy you: Howard Dean
b. Policing: The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 / Translating to the Internet
c. Blogs: Anyone can be a political commentator
d. Calculated Responses and Memes

IV. The Voters
a. First Amendment and Commentary
b. Info at a Click
c. The public opinion