Monday
Aug042008
Energy on the House Floor
Monday, August 4, 2008 at 2:18PM
I've never seen members of Congress quite so energized. On Friday August 1, 2008 at 11:23am, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) adjourned and Congress went into recess. However, certain Republicans were not happy with Pelosi's decision, and stayed on the House floor Friday to continue talking. They met again Monday, August 4th, to continue talking in the dark.
Although not technically dark (the base lights in the ceiling were on, creating a dim glow), the floor itself, with no microphones, cameras, or recording equipment that was broadcasting, was technologically dark, save for Blackberries.
Certain members of Congress, such as John Culberson (http://twitter.com/JohnCulberson), have been utilizing Twitter while on the House floor. Via the live-blogging platform, he has been "tweeting" messages of his own thoughts while tourists stream in and out of the floor itself.
I sat in the press balcony, watching. Nearly every seat was occupied-not by members of Congress- and the audience clapped and whistled. When Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) stood and demanded that Pelosi come back and let them vote, the audience gave him a standing ovation.
Recording devices, not normally allowed in the chamber, were present in nearly every reporter's hand. The reporters pretended they weren't holding them, and the Capitol Police pretended not to see. At one point, I saw a member of Congress on the floor wave up at those of us in the balcony, and when I turned to see to whom he was waving at, I discovered Congressmen in the press balcony, standing behind me. "Hey, what's up," one of them said. I was speechless.
Congressman Mike Pence, (R-IN) summed it up nicely: Americans are not getting a vacation from high gas prices, and so Congress shouldn't be on vacation either. The audience cheered.
Although not technically dark (the base lights in the ceiling were on, creating a dim glow), the floor itself, with no microphones, cameras, or recording equipment that was broadcasting, was technologically dark, save for Blackberries.
Certain members of Congress, such as John Culberson (http://twitter.com/JohnCulberson), have been utilizing Twitter while on the House floor. Via the live-blogging platform, he has been "tweeting" messages of his own thoughts while tourists stream in and out of the floor itself.
I sat in the press balcony, watching. Nearly every seat was occupied-not by members of Congress- and the audience clapped and whistled. When Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) stood and demanded that Pelosi come back and let them vote, the audience gave him a standing ovation.
Recording devices, not normally allowed in the chamber, were present in nearly every reporter's hand. The reporters pretended they weren't holding them, and the Capitol Police pretended not to see. At one point, I saw a member of Congress on the floor wave up at those of us in the balcony, and when I turned to see to whom he was waving at, I discovered Congressmen in the press balcony, standing behind me. "Hey, what's up," one of them said. I was speechless.
Congressman Mike Pence, (R-IN) summed it up nicely: Americans are not getting a vacation from high gas prices, and so Congress shouldn't be on vacation either. The audience cheered.
Mobile technologies revolutionize presidential campaigns
“We all know that famous and recent text message that went out to 3 million supporters of the Barack Obama campaign in his announcement of Senator Joe Biden as his running mate,” said Chairman of Mobile Future Jonathan Spalter.
“In many ways this is really just the tip of the wireless iceberg.”
One important aspect of mobile technologies’ rising influence has been the use of text messages. Text messaging is now used more often than cell phone calls and has proved to be an ideal tool for campaigning since it can attract more voters using less resources.
“It yields a result at an incredibly low cost. In this case the cost per vote was $1.62 and the cost per contact was $0.13. That includes the cost of the application and the cost of sending a text message. Whereas, if you look at the next best way to get people out, that’s thirty dollars a vote and that’s going door to door,” said founder and CEO of Mobile Commons.
Along with text messaging, mobile applications are predicted to have more of an impact within the following years.
“I think text messaging is huge, but I think where it’s going, especially in 2010 and 2012, is going to be mobile applications. Using Twitter, using Qik, or Kyte, or any of your mobile live stream devices to really interact with people and voters...I think that’s how campaigns are going to evolve,” said Director in the Online Services Division for DCI Group and former Deputy eCampaign Director for Rudy Giuliani Katie Harbath.
Evidence of mobile applications' strong political impact has been seen in recent months. When Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca.) called for a recess in August, House Republicans stayed behind to discuss energy. The microphones and C-SPAN cameras were cut, and one of the few sources of information sent from the House floor was from Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas) use of Twitter.
According to National Field Director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Casey O’Shea, this shows that there can be government applications to the technology in addition to their campaign use.
“The ability for a member of Congress to communicate directly to their constituents, to bypass the mainstream media filter, and speak directly to someone is a very valuable thing in terms of getting a message out about an important vote or trying to contact constituents,” said O’shea