Have you seen the new White House website?
Barrack Obama became the 44th president of the United States at noon on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 and there was more than a peaceful transition of power that day. There’s a new website online for the White House.
This may be another first too because I don’t recall a new website with any inauguration.
It wasn’t that long ago that I browsed the stodgy museum/brochure website of the Bush Administration and the new one is yet another “change” that ushers in a new era and it’s even more exciting – especially with regard to the Net.
There’s no doubt about whether or not Obama is tech-savvy. He’s always got a Blackberry by his side and for that matter – it’s the first time I can recall any leader who has a cell phone visible on his person. It’s not uncommon to see him talking in a limo and you have to wonder what he’s talking about. Could be he’s checking in with Michelle or his daughters, but that’s just another thing we have in common with the leader of the free world.
There are some analysts who credit Obama’s victory to his understanding of Internet marketing. It’s already documented that he raised over $100 million from his candidate site.
Obama used Internet technologies more proficiently than any presidential candidates. He virtually outpaced all opponents hands-down by using Facebook, Myspace, text messages, Twitter, message boards and more to enable his well-planned campaign for the nation’s highest office.
Local politicians should take note of this new medium. It’s no longer something you can ignore.
The new website is an elegant Web 2.0 destination that features an archive of the weekly video address by Obama, slide shows, an introduction to the new policies, bios of cabinet members and you’ll even find a White House Blog.
The home page has a new video feature of Obama and Biden on the Whistlestop Train tour and there are games and facts for kids and students too.
It will be interesting to watch how the Obama/Biden regime will expand their technology agenda as this outline suggests. The convenience of having our government use the website to connect with the population presents several interesting possibilities.
The site also restates their hope to bring government into the 21st century by working to “create a transparent and connected democracy” and this new website is a good place to start.
I just hope they don’t add a comment section to their blog because that could get downright nasty.
Nevertheless, I love the new site and like many other attributes of this election – it’s a tremendous improvement. So let’s get to work America.