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Have social networks played a role in the election for you?

News Type: Event — Mon Nov 3, 2008 7:28 AM EST

technology, election, facebook, myspace, twitter, social-networks

Have you gotten news about this election exclusively through traditional sources, or have social networks been a part of the way you experienced this campaign season? Have you put you political opinions on your Facebook or MySpace account, on microblogging sites like Twitter, on your away messages on your Instant Messenger, or on other places online? Is your computer going to be by your side as you watch the election results? Here at msnbc.com, we're curious how - if at all - online communities have played a role in the 2008 election for you. Tell us below.

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Elizabeth Chuck's Column, All of Newsvine
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Public Discussion (4)

{"commentId":3844420,"authorDomain":"daytoncple"}

daytoncple

I have used my computer extensively to follow the election, from newsvine, to bulletin boards, most of the major network websites and even to see various film clips on youtube etc. It has helped immensely from a research point of view, finding out old voting records, see old interviews, reviewing candidates plans, etc.

It has also pointed out the real hatred that is still out there, which is depressing. I know most Americans are past, or at least reconsidering their racial prejudices. That said, the degree of hate, the vile comments etc. have somewhat surprised me. Maybe I am just too hopeful that we can all pull together as a nation.

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1 vote

#1 - Mon Nov 3, 2008 8:21 AM EST

{"commentId":3848711,"authorDomain":"divashadow"}

divashadow

I've often said that the media beast is always hungry for news, opinions, analysis, you name it, just to fill the airwaves. But I have become that beast. I wake up to login for the latest headline, I skip working out in the morning and instead I watch Fox News to get my heart rate up! Its like a drug, and I'm totally addicted to the point I don't know what to do with myself on November 5th.

Two years ago I could not have imagined how obsessed I would become with this presidential election. I've shamelessly facebooked my support for Barack Obama. Sites like Newsvine a have also captured my attention. I've been shocked to find out which of my friends and family members support other candidates through the comments and opinions posted on these sites. All these have made me want to understand my candidate better and know the opponent's position. I believe I can clearly articulate why I support one candidate over another.

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1 vote

#2 - Mon Nov 3, 2008 11:38 AM EST

{"commentId":3851685,"authorDomain":"mamikem"}

MikeM-541628

A decade ago, one of the applications foreseen for the immerging Internet was as a refined mass marketing tool. This well researched and written article by Ms. Chuck presents that growth as a political influencing and polling tool. Thank you for presenting this evolution.

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#3 - Mon Nov 3, 2008 1:30 PM EST

{"commentId":3855415,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

It seems a bit weird to ask this question *on* a social network (social-news network) in which the answer is almost invariably going to be "yes".

So, uh, yes.

{"commentId":3855415,"threadId":"407543","contentId":"2066718","authorDomain":"brianford"}

1 vote

#4 - Mon Nov 3, 2008 4:06 PM EST

{"commentId":3856011,"authorDomain":"jeffstrater"}

jeffstrater

I was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and used Twitter on the convention floor to let friends and family know about the experience. I was amazed by the amount of email and comments when I got from home from Denver.

People enjoyed my Twitter feed and behind the scenes analysis. Many people who followed me on Twitter during the convention had never used it before.

I have kept up with Twitter adding things when I get a chance. I will be getting up early tomorrow at 5 am working on the election and plan to Twitter when I am volunteering. I will have to return to work for a bit but will get back to the polls at 5pm until they close.

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1 vote

#5 - Mon Nov 3, 2008 4:33 PM EST

{"commentId":3858758,"authorDomain":"mcubed588"}

ClickMaster

My name is Mara, and I'm a news addict :::Hi Mara:::

I definitely utilized my myspace and facebook to get the word out about registration deadlines and voiced who I support on my pages. This was a double edged sword. On one hand, I received a great response from a lot of friends who either didn't know I was a politics nerd or supported Obama along with me. The other side of that was learning a lot of my friends supported McCain, a fact I really had an issue dealing with because these people who I share everything with and enjoy the same activities with had extremely different views than me and also vicious ways of sharing those views. I can' t lie, it made it hard for me to go on every day because I would sign off in a rage!!! haha

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#6 - Mon Nov 3, 2008 6:42 PM EST

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