Is Barack Obama's idea-gathering website just for show?

The incoming Obama administration's Internet solicitation of voters' advice could signal a push for e-democracy. Or it could be just a gimmick.

Want to join a policy debate? Your e-mail will appear on change.gov. Readers then rate your submission using icons whose thumbs are up or down. Submissions that are deemed the best rise to the top of the screen.

To proponents, these efforts by Obama's team to build a Web-based network of support can democratize the government anew. To skeptics, however, change.gov is little more than a clever public-relations device, a way to keep Obama's fans ... Full Story »

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by Matt Collette - Dec. 11, 2008

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.

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