An interesting but underdeveloped attempt to explore Obama's so-called "e-democracy" on the new change.gov Web site. To be expected, those optimistic about this type of civic networking are given space high up to deliver their platitudes (see quotes, please). The Republican consultant was an intriguing choice, and well qualified to comment on how this new "openness" could affect future administrations. The skeptical side of this story, however, was less represented than I thought it ... More »

This is a front page story on the Miami Herald. It provides quotes from all sides except Obama's transition team on how their social networking site change.gov will be used.

This piece raises some very important, relevant questions for the Obama transition team/administration. Cites experts on both sides of the argument, and includes solid facts. Lacks depth.

A half hearted attempt to evaluate President Elect Obama's email. This is not a good article.

Few, random thoughts on change.gov, its purpose, and its effects. The use of the website is consistent with the Obama campaign's organization of house parties AFTER the election. That's a change, isn't it? Yet the author is not interested or convinced. See the link from the Obama team to hear a statement regarding the website.

It would have been informative to get more input from the Obama camp, but given that the only quote comes from an e-mail, it seems that the Office of the President Elect didn't want to comment on this story. It is good journalism to look at how there is probably too much information, and that Obama and top aides will probably get nothing more than a report on what the website shows.

The story presents both kinds of reactions from outside the Obama team itself -- pros and cons -- toward the Obama e-democracy exercise. Also, this piece of news goes a bit into detail, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of such a tool for governance.

The author fails to note that there is a similar website at change.org that has similar aspirations, but is not directly connected to the Obama transition. Its method of gathering ideas is a little different. Right now, Change.org is collecting ideas, arranged in 29 "causes." Next month, it will hold a run-off among the top 3 ideas in each cause, concluding just before Obama's inauguration.

It,s a good story that should be told and he did it well.

This is commentary of course. Like all commentary it is of quality in direct proportion to agreement with the reader's wishes without concern for accuracy, relevance or truth. This is simply influence by entertainment.

It's a good marker for savvy, innovative Web use. Still think Howard Dean's 2004 prez campaign and Joe Trippi's early work should have been cited.