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Pat Coyle

Who is more persuasive: Democrats or Republicans in their use of Social Media?

(Note: I altered the question because the first one I wrote was, well, stupid on my part).
From Fast Company

Democrats and Republicans are waging ideological war on the healthcare front using weapons of social media:

Obama's healthcare site, which launched last month, has just begun to gain a critical mass of user-generated content. Called "Health Care Stories for America," it features an interactive Google map that pinpoints a few hundred personal stories about experiences with the American health-care system from across the country, and allows users to search by zipcode to see stories near them. Browsing the "recent stories" is a relatively apolitical exercise in heartbreak: Users have filled out paragraphs about a father lost to HMO coverage-denial, a sister suffering from a ski accident; a small-business employee with Hepatitis C. You can share your own story, tweet others, or publish one to Facebook; you can also donate money to Obama's cause.

The Republican response, called the Barack Obama Experiment, is a kind of video-blog that aims to make readers "nervous" about the Obama plan, according to Politico. The title of the site comes from a memo by an RNC consultant who has been advising party leaders on how to slow down the White House's march toward reform, including the controversial "public option" where the government would compete with private insurance companies.

The site, sparse and basic and without any of the flash of Obama's expert Web projects, acts as a cache of YouTube videos of party chairman Michael Steele's appearances on television, with a smattering of commercials. To be exact: two Steele videos and one commercial. Yes, there are only three videos on the site, which was launched four days ago, and doesn't look as if it's been updated since. (Read more from Fast Company)

Take a look at the two sites and consider this simple yet loaded question:

Who is more persuasive: Democrats or Republicans in their use of Social Media? Share your thoughts here

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You have got to be kidding me?

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Not so sure I love the phrasing of the question, Pat. I don't think anyone is "smarter" than anyone else. Republicans just may not feel the need to flash up their messages, which I happen to feel speak for themselves with logic, and without fancy graphics and sob stories. Just my opinion!

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Smarter? Absolutely not. Less truthful and less honest and trying to turn us into a fascist state, absolutely yes.

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I'm feeling more and more frustrated about this Pat. Liberals want everything to be "equal" but yet you post the most clearly slanted article, which could have been a fair, bipartisan comparison and discussion. Did I join Liberal Indiana without knowing it? FYI, not everyone in the country worships Obama.

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I understand your statement. If it helps at all I will tell you, I didn't vote for Obama and wouldn't if the election were held over again today. I asked the question somewhat tongue in cheek...and mainly because I'm confused why one party seems to be making so much better use of social media than the other. Note my question at the very top of the main page, above the photo...I give you a hint at what I'm driving at. Sorry if I went over the top with the question.

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Absolutely second this comment! That's absurb, pat! Smart is not the word...manipulative and finding every way to pass a hidden agenda and tax the hell out of the rich until it's the U.S.S.A. is more like it!

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That's absurd, Adam! "manipulative and finding every way to pass a hidden agenda and tax the hell out of the rich until it's the U.S.S.A." is not a word!

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We're also nicer and not so rude.

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No. I think the dems just have a bit more resources and organization when it comes to these kinds of web projects.

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Oh, and I call shenanigans on this linkbait title!!

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OK. I've put myself in the penalty box.

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Are they smarter right now? Maybe. But I think that's more a function of being in the position of strength. Everyone looks smarter when dealing from a position of strength. The Republicans are reeling and trying to re-brand themselves. Mistakes are inevitable in such an environment and outwardly, mistakes equate to "stupidity."

Objectively speaking, I don't think either party is smarter than the other. Remember, just four short years ago we were all ready to write off the Democratic Party after Kerry's defeat.

Besides, I'm a Republican. I don't feel stupid.

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