The Web 2 0 President

President-elect Barack Obama has been able to harness the power of the Internet, a first by a major politician.  Using the Web to raise money ahs been the forte of Howard Dean.  But Obama raised an army.

The Digital Army

The youthful digital army that Obama raised also promised to help him govern by sticking to him.  Brainstorming sessions online?  Ordinary folks discussing policies online while online users voting yea or nay?  This has been dubbed as the new computer infrastructure government where people can take active part inside Washington, including money allocations and decision making.

According to Don Tapscott, the developments go beyond election and can be considered as a social movement.  Tapscott emphasized that he is convinced that a new era in democratic practice is being shaped right now.  Tapscott is the author of Grown Up Digital.

The Web 2.0 Government

The new government can be called Government 2.0.  It will seek the widest participation of all citizens, corporations, and civil groups to come up with development solutions.  It will negate the old practice of the government handing down policy to the people in one way approach.

The new online collaborative methods have long been practiced by Net gen youth.  This sector ardently supported Obama.  Silicon Valley technologists who also supported Obama have been practicing this kind of open collaboration.  

Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google said the open source system can lead to better decisions as more people get involved in discussions and debates.  Schmidt asserted this position in a conference of policy thinkers held in Washington last week.  Schmidt also said the decisions are better made by the community rather than by individuals.

Online Campaign Will Continue

The transition team of Obama clearly shows signs that an organization is being built to continue the Internet campaign started during the elections.  Obama even announced plans to appoint a technology czar with high government or cabinet level portfolio to make his government more transparent and efficient.

Obama even laid out plans to stream portions of his Cabinet meeting on the Internet to reach more people.  He also made his first radio broadcast on YouTube as his address was recorded on video.  He even asked candidates vying for jobs in his new administration to submit an online application so that the choice would not be limited only to Washington insiders.

According to Thomas Gensemer of Blue State Digital, new media technology will propel the executive branch to run government affairs faster.  Blue State Digital was responsible for building the social networking site of Barrack Obama during the election period.

Gensemer also believed that the online army raised by the Obama campaign will be able to stay committed.  Gensemer added that this online army would want more participation in the processes of governance.