Facebook and Local Politics

A lot’s been written about national politics and the Facebook generation. President Obama used the internet to organize his supporters in ways never before practiced in a national campaign.

Presidential campaigns are often the proving ground for new political techniques and technologies. But Facebook and other internet tools are also changing politics at a more local level.

San Diego City Councilmember Carl DeMaio recently invited me to be his “friend” on Facebook. I’ve never met Councilmember DeMaio, so we’re not friends in real life. And we’re relatively apart on the political spectrum. (Note that I’m friends with people I disagree with, both in real life and on Facebook. Maybe DeMaio is lots of fun to hang out with and someday we’ll be fast friends, but at the moment, we’re not).

I denied his invitation.

But maybe I should have accepted it. Another progressive Democrat I know accepted DeMaio’s invitation and discovered that the councilmember posted some of his policy ideas through his Facebook profile. The Democrat used Facebook to comment on the policy and thereby directly communicated with an elected representative in City government.

I’ve had a similar experience. In September of 2007, I received a Facebook friend request from California Secretary of State Debra Bowen. Before accepting the request, I sent a message in response, asking who I knew on the other end of that Facebook account. Previously, the Facebook requests I had received from political figures were all made by friends of mine from the California Young Democrats, who were managing some elected official’s Facebook account.

The response from Secretary Bowen’s account was in the first person, and it said something like “We haven’t met personally yet, but we have a lot of mutual friends in the California Young Democrats, and your friend [so and so] used to work for my Senate office.”

I very nearly responded with a snarky reply about not breaking character. I was in Sacramento at the time, taking a post-bar exam trip up and down California, reacquainting myself with old friends that I hadn’t seen much during my 3 years in law school at NYU. Coincidentally, I had lunch plans the next day with the very same mutual friend who was once worked for Bowen’s Senate office. At lunch it was explained to me that Bowen actually managed her own Facebook account. I was relieved that I had kept my snark under control.

Not only did I accept Bowen’s friend request, but I responded with an invitation for her to speak to the members of the San Diego lawyers chapter of the American Constitution Society, a progressive legal group I helped found after returning to San Diego. Through Facebook, Bowen connected me to her staff scheduler, and in March, she visited our chapter and gave a terrific presentation about protecting voting rights. During her presentation, Bowen mentioned that a few days earlier, someone had used Facebook to report a violation of California’s elections regulations, and that she had directed her staff to investigate the matter.

Both the DeMaio and Bowen examples show how Facebook, and similar tools, can help connect policymakers to the people they serve. Not every elected official can manage their own Facebook profile, but this sort of technology allows alternatives to the staff-insulated communications bubble in which so many politicians live. Even Barack Obama fought to keep his Blackberry, so that he could have connections to the world by means other than his White House staff.

Savvy candidates are following the Obama model and preparing vast, internet-based campaigns. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is currently on a campaign to raise 30,000 online Facebook supporters in 30 days for his gubernatorial bid. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, about 400 people are joining each day. Newsom’s nearest rival for the governorship, at least in the Facebook Primary, is Attorney General Jerry Brown, with a mere 700 Facebook supporters. Newsom supporters can sign up by visiting the Mayor’s Facebook page. (Full disclosure: I am an avowed Newsom fan).

Programs like Facebook allow campaigns to show off their supporters in a very public fashion. Facebook users see news feed stories when their friends become supporters of candidates. When the Newsom campaign announced a planned visit to San Diego next month, they posted an “event” listing on Facebook. Not only does this provide logistical information about when and where the event will take place, but Facebook users can see that over 100 people are planning to attend, and which of their friends will be there. (Again, full disclosure: I invited over half of the 600 people currently listed in the event, but I only invited about 30 of the 100 or so people who’ve RSVP’d as planning to attend.)

Some local political organizations are seeing Facebook as a preferred method of organizing, supplanting more traditional options like email listservs and standalone web pages. The UCSD student group supporting Barack Obama’s presidential bid was organized entirely through a Facebook page. Emails announcing meetings and political actions were sent via Facebook message.

Facebook has an advantage for political organizers because people can see when their friends join a group, which can encourage them to join it too. There’s a potential for a snowball effect. No one knows when you add your email address to a non-Facebook listserv, like by providing an email address on the web page of a political campaign or organization.

The San Diego County Young Democrats have recognized the advantage of maintaining communications with members of their Facebook group, who might not have provided the organization with an email address to receive their weekly email newsletter. Now, the general email newsletter is routinely copied into a separate message to all the members of the local Young Democrats Facebook group. While a lot of people receive the messages twice, young people are increasingly tolerant of superfluous electronic communications.

There’s no doubt that the internet is changing politics and organizing. Not only did the internet bolster Obama’s presidential campaign, but it’s changing how things are done right here in San Diego. I’ve identified some of the recent local trends, but I’m sure there are others. If you have other examples of how the internet has changed the poltical scene in San Diego, please share them in the comments.

UPDATE (3/19/2009): I got a new Facebook request from Carl DeMaio. This time I accepted. We'll see how it goes!

San Diego Young Dems say Farewell to W at the W!

The San Diego County Young Democrats hosted a huge party to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama last night.

The event was titled “Farewell to W at the W,” and it was held at the W Hotel, in Downtown San Diego. Over 1500 people attended, making it easily the largest inauguration celebration in San Diego.

Photos of the event are posted on the Young Democrats Flickr group page. There are hundreds of photos from the night uploaded, and more are on their way. DiscoverSD.com also has some photos up at their gallery.

By any measure, the event was a home run success. Local television aired promotions for the event, both on the ABC and CBS affiliates, as well as a live promotion the morning of the event on Fox.

By having attendees RSVP online, and by heavily promoting the event, the Young Democrats were able to capture contact information of more than 2500 new people for their general distribution list. These new names will be invited to participate in Democratic social events, political actions, and public service opportunities.

Numerous television stations covered the event. Not only were the cameras covering the excitement and celebrations, but numerous Young Democrats were on camera, explaining that Obama’s message of hope had real significance to them. Event organizers kept on message, and explained that change can happen right here in San Diego through participation with the Young Democrats and other progressive political organizations.

The crowed swelled throughout the night, and gathered at 9 p.m. for a replay of President Obama’s inauguration address. Before the video played, organizers introduced the Young Democrats. The young, fashionable crowd shouted and cheered when organizers announced that in November, local Democrats captured six of eight City Council seats.

UPDATE: Shindy.tv produced a 10 minute clip showcasing the event. It's shared here as well. A number of the board members from the Young Democrats are featured, as well as many happy party-goers.

Don't be Afraid!

Barack Obama = Matt Santos

Obama Picks up Another Delegate here in San Diego County

As of Friday there was 42,000 Absentee / Provisional ballots still to be counted by the County Registrar of Voters. There are still two weeks to finish the final counting and to certify the February 5th primary results. Since election night, however, some of the delegate totals statewide have shifted in the favor of Barack Obama.

According to the most recent results posted on the Secretary of State website, Senator Obama has now taken the lead in the 53rd CD by 443 votes over Senator Clinton. If his lead holds until final certification, the allocation of the districts 5 delegates will be 3 for Obama and 2 for Clinton. One more CD to keep an eye on is the 50th, where Clinton's lead has been narrowed to 556 votes over Obama. This is another 5 delegate district that would see a change in the delegate allocation in favor of Obama if there is a change in the final results.

La Opinión - Endorses Obama

La Opinión - The major Spanish language newspaper in Los Angeles has endorsed Barack Obama in the upcoming primary. In an editorial titlted "The Democratic Choice is Barack Obama," it explains why Obama is their choice:

Senator Barack Obama represents fundamental change in a campaign in which "change" has become a central theme. Obama’s approach to immigration and his inspiring vision are what the country need to break through the current feeling of political malaise.[Link]

The paper list many of Senator Clinton's accomplishments but come to the following conclusion:

Yet, this is a historic moment and tremendous skills and experience are not enough to inspire a feeling of renewal in our country after eight long years of George W. Bush.

As well, we were disappointed with her calculated opposition to driver’s licenses for the undocumented, which contrasts markedly from the forceful argument in support made by Obama. We understand that this is an extremely controversial issue but we believe there is only one right position and it is that of the senator from Illinois. And, while both senators support comprehensive immigration reform, only Obama has committed to bringing forward new legislation during his first year in office.[Link]

On closing out the editorial, the paper reminds us of the historical choices Democrats have this election and why Obama should be that choice:

By deciding between a woman or an African American as their presidencial nominee, the Democrats are making history. Barack Obama has the sensibilities of a man from humble beginnings raised in a multicultural home. He is the best option for a truly visionary change.[Link]

Cross posted at Calitics

California SEIU State Council Changes in Mid-Stream

California SEIU State Council, which represents over 650,000 members in California has changed their endorsement from former U.S. Senator John Edwards to U.S. Senator Barak Obama.

• What does this mean for Senator Edwards to have sway over the two remaining main Democratic candidates?
• Will a change of endorsement 4 days before the election make a difference, remember the absentee voters?
• Will there be mailers from the union, phone calls, precinct walks, or some thing else?
• What does U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, who will be in San Diego today, think about this endorsement?

Top Three Dem Pres Candidates Looking at TV Buys in California

Via the California Majority Report:

The three top contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination are making inquiries of television stations to purchase commercial time -- yet another indication that the decision to move up the California Presidential Primary was a smart one for California voters.

Media buyers have confirmed to the California Majority Report that the Clinton and Obama camps have contacted cable networks throughout the state for rates and specs for television advertising. The Edwards campaign is looking at the bay area and sac media markets only, according to the buyers.[Link]

I'm actually suprised that they have waited this long to go on the air here in California. I know the state is very expensive, but the first absentee ballots go out in the mail two weeks from Monday.

Kehoe, Atkins Among Members of Hillary Clinton's California LGBT Steering Committee

Earlier this week, Hillary Clinton announced the formation of her California LGBT Steering Committee. It's Chaired by Senator Sheila Kuehl and includes among its 100+ members San Diego Senator Christine Kehoe and Councilwoman Toni Atkins. The press release touts:

Hillary has been a longtime ally of the LGBT community. She fought against the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) both times and has worked on legislation that would promote equality for LGBT Americans.

It also goes on to note that she has publicly stated she would repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell and other positions. But as Paul Hogarth found out at YearlyKos, Clinton remains a fan of the Defense Of Marriage Act:

Defense of Marriage: DOMA, passed in 1996 when Bill Clinton wanted to deprive Bob Dole of a campaign issue, allows states not to recognize an out-of-state gay marriage. "DOMA served a very important purpose," she said. "I was one of the architects in the strategy of fighting the 2004 Marriage Amendment, and DOMA gave us a bright line to be able to pull back the votes."

So color me still perplexed by the LGBT support for Clinton, which certainly appears to be widespread. I can appreciate that Bill Clinton was the closest thing to an ally that the community has had in the White House in more than 25 years, so there's some (admirable) loyalty involved. And she is (thankfully) in favor of changing DOMA to allow federal recognition of state unions. But when she spoke to the Human Rights Campaign earlier this year, she wanted as little publicity as possible, and she still isn't budging on DOMA. So what makes her a better potential champion for LGBT issues as compared to other candidates?

Barack Obama caused a major kerfluffle a month ago by inviting popular homophobe and gospel singer Donnie McClurkin to perform at a campaign event. Big flag there. But he then turned around and condemned Rev. McLurkin's beliefs on homosexuality in no uncertain terms and spoke strongly about supporting the same LGBT issues that Hillary Clinton's press release mentions while also calling for the full repeal of DOMA. That part, at least, seems better.

John Edwards, like Clinton, supports repealing the part of DOMA "that prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex relationships." He voices strong opposition to any discrimination based on sexual orientation and while he's still not sure about marriage, is all for civil unions just like Clinton and Obama.

So I guess that I don't see all that much daylight between the three leading contenders. Or at least, not enough that would spark a stampede towards Hillary Clinton's corner. I'm more than willing to have this explained to me and would actually appreciate some sort of explanation now that two of San Diego's leading LGBT political figures have joined up with team Hillary. It just seems like an oddly un-progressive choice for a generally very progressive community with generally very progressive issue priorities.

Like Lane Hudson said at HuffPo a few months ago, if the value of DOMA was as a tool to defeat the Federal Marraige Amendment, and the FMA is now dead, then hasn't DOMA run its course? Why would anyone- within the LGBT community or not- even accept this as something for debate? And why would they so overwhelmingly and enthusiastically line up for someone who isn't even on the correct side of that debate?

Obama Campaign First in Town

With the presidential primary here in California 10 weeks away from today. It appears that the Barack Obama campaign is the first presidential campaign to set up operations here in San Diego. The office is located at 1502 6th Ave. (NW corner of 6th & Beech), San Diego, 92101. [Map]

The office hours are from 9am to 9pm Monday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm Friday and Saturday, and 1pm to 9pm on Sunday. There will be a San Diego Believes in Obama!, Grand Opening on Sunday, December 2, from 11am-4pm. To RSVP contact regional field director LM Clinton at lmclinton@hotmail.com.