MyDD :: Video

Video

by Melissa Ryan, Sun Jul 01, 2007 at 12:53:49 PM EST

I'm a little late to the party posting about Dodd's YouTube Spotlight, but I wanted to chime in with my own thoughts, specifically the call for citizens to capture their interactions with Senators on video. When I saw the spotlight one word came to mind: Lieberman. Last year video bloggers caught Senator Lieberman showing his true self on tape time, after time, after time. His victory aside, I think those moments forever changed the public's perception of Lieberman to the point where he can't run for office again.

The Dodd campaign is looking for those same sort of defining moments. How will Senators (especially his fellow candidates) interact with their constituents and a video camera? Will they even meet face to face with someone with a camera in hand? I can't wait to see what ends up on YouTube and if, like Macaca, these interactions change forever the public persona of our elected Senators.

And I look forward to the positive moments even more. Who will see the video camera as an opportunity to reach out? Who will take the time to explain their support or opposition via Youtube? Who will open up the debate rather than attempt to shut it down? My post-Lieberman experience with elected officials indicates that most don't see bloggers as the enemy. My guess is that many Senators will have a positive reaction to Dodd's experiment

Wouldn't it be great to have all 100 Senators on video?

Poll Below the fold

BTW If you're new to video blogging (or if like me you have an irrational fear about it) my good friend Spazeboy has written a comprehensive how to guide.

Poll

Votes: 4
Results : Vote Link : Polls

Tags: Joe Lieberman, 2008, Chris Dodd, Dodd Amendment, Media, video blogging, vlogging (all tags)

Permalink :: 5 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Video (none / 0)

Senator Dodd's been one of the nice surprises of the campaign so far. From his focus on restoring civil liberties and ending the war, to his embrace of new technology and open politics, he's been making the party look good while attempting to keep the more well-financed candidates honest. I'm not a Dodd partisan (I refuse to commit to a candidate until Gore makes his intentions clear), but he deserves more attention than he's been getting and would probably make an excellent president.

by arbitropia on Sun Jul 01, 2007 at 01:09:11 PM EST

Delusional, I think (none / 0)

Without meaning to pick on Melissa specifically, I think that post like this are typical of the delusional, insular perspective that unfortunately characterizes many of our get-the-word-out efforts on the left. I have watched those three videos that Melissa claims show "defining moments" of Lieberman "showing his true self," and all I see are a politician guardedly and somewhat wearily fielding questions from a hostile would-be-"gotcha" interviewer. Those videos would not (and did not) change anyone's opinion of Lieberman, because unless you loathe the guy to begin with, they just seem like a guy swatting away a pest. If this kind of shrill, Michael-Moore-manqué needling is the best we can do, it's sad.

by syntag on Sun Jul 01, 2007 at 01:11:16 PM EST

Then make a better video (none / 0)

Your own video doesn't have to be like Bob's were. Certainly his style wouldn't work for everyone.

But I disagree about changing opinions. Those videos kept coming up when I talked to voters. People who had no idea who CTBob was or even what a blog was had often seen at least one of the clips. I think it made a huge differece, especially in the primary.

by Melissa Ryan on Sun Jul 01, 2007 at 01:22:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Then make a better video (none / 0)

Hi Melissa --
Okay, maybe I'm being slow here, but what exactly about these videos shows Lieberman's "true self" (Presumably negative"? Take the first one, labeled "time" above: Bob asks him a few questions, which he answers more or less politely as he walks to his car. End of clip. Huh? Or the third one: Bob asks him a question he has obviously already asked him many times, Lieberman smilingly rebuffs him. End of clip.

Again, to someone who doesn't hate Lieberman on sight already, I literally can't imagine how these clips would negatively affect one's opinion of him. Am I missing something? In so, please explain, because to me it just looks like Bob wants to play gotcha but hasn't actually got anything.

by syntag on Sun Jul 01, 2007 at 07:39:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Speaking of Lieberman (none / 0)

Does anyone have data on his post-election popularity in Connecticut? I am wondering how voters are responding to his aggressive defense of Bush and the war.

by Hellmut on Sun Jul 01, 2007 at 06:39:58 PM EST

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