With any major election we start with a primary where
candidates from the same party run against each other to try and get the coveted
party nomination. Leading up to a primary election there is usually one or two
candidates that really stand out and are most well known, and then there are
the others. These other candidates are lesser known, usually don’t have the
same level of name recognition, and many constituents may not even know they
are running. Social media tools like Instagram allow these candidates get their
name out in the public’s view to tell or remind them that they are running and
serious about trying to get the nomination. With the Democratic debate
happening tonight many of these kinds of candidates are posting so that their
name begins to be better associated with the thought of a Democratic nominee. Today
Lincoln Chafee’s posted a photo of himself with his pre-debate “essentials” and in the comments we see a user say he did
not even know that Chafee was running. Because of this picture the Chafee
posted another voter now knows that come election time Chafee will be an
option.
Melody,
ReplyDeleteI have to say that social media is the greatest way for politicians to introduce themselves to a population of people. To be completely honest, I didn't even know who Chafee was until you mentioned him in your post.
Nice post!!
Ali :)
Melody,
ReplyDeleteLikewise, Instagram and other social media platforms are excellent ways for politicians to post something personal about themselves making them more relatable to their followers (and voters!). I follow a couple of senators and to see pictures of them spending time with their kids allows me to relate to them as a parent. Some congressmen post updates on what bills they're working on and post photos when they have achieved something - this is allows voters to feel more confident in them that they're doing their job and thus will ultimately get them re-elected. All politicians should definitely take advantage of the personal aspects that social media provides them.
I also was unaware of who Lincoln Chafee was until I watched part of the Democratic debate - it would have served him well to begin blasting social media sites with his positions on relevant political topics - like Bernie Sanders for example.