More Change Than You Can Believe?

Veteran Democratic Party campaign strategist Joe Trippi has calculated that YouTube videos posted by the Obama campaign, which have amassed 14.5 million hours viewed, are the equivalent of $46-$47 million worth of paid advertising. Add the large volume of citizen-produced videos to that total and you can see why Trippi maintains that, regardless of the election outcome, Barack Obama marks the end of the television presidency.

Joe Trippi speculates that, if Obama wins, he might transfer the net support of my.barackobama.com to the White House. A social network numbering in the millions could be quickly mobilized to pressure special-interest allied Congress members who oppose popular legislative initiatives.

In comparison, Trippi says that the Republican Party's internet strategy is the equivalent of rubbing 2 sticks together.

Visionary ideas are often met with skepticism, but timing favors Joe Trippi. A financial crisis has Americans paying closer attention to Washington, D.C. The potential exists for a democratization of the federal government that citizens of all political parties might embrace. Key elements for such a shift would be wired access for the populace, and a newly-elected President Barack Obama's leadership ability. Will it happen? I don't know, but I do know that The Internet Changes Everything.

Joe Trippi's remarks are from a discussion today, hosted by Simon Rosenberg of NDN. It was broadcast on C-Span.

Seven Years Later: A WMD Report Card

The Partnership for a Secure America, a bipartisan group that includes former leaders of the 9/11 Commission, has released a report that states that "We are still dangerously vulnerable" to a WMD attack.

The independent group's evaluation of the U.S. Government's efforts to prevent WMD terrorism is an overall grade of C. The analysis covers the 3 years since the conclusion of the 9/11 Public Discourse Project.

WMD Report Card excerpt:

Here is what the U.S. Government must do next:

• Put someone in charge. There is a critical need for a top-level official with the authority to make government-wide decisions on funding and programs. Someone needs to be responsible for turning our resolve into results.

• Build the blueprint. We need a strategic plan that links all existing programs together, prioritizes funding across the Federal Government, and coordinates implementation. We can no longer afford to hope that our patchwork of programs and initiatives will naturally cohere into an effective whole.

• Strengthen international cooperation. The United States cannot be safe working alone. Terrorism does not respect borders. We must utilize multilateral institutions, regional organizations and bilateral ties. We must be firm in our goals, but flexible in our approach.
  

Compare those recommendations to the mission of the 5 year old Department of Homeland Security:

We will lead the unified national effort to secure America. We will prevent and deter terrorist attacks and protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the nation. We will ensure safe and secure borders, welcome lawful immigrants and visitors, and promote the free flow of commerce.

The WMD Report Card reveals a failure of leadership. After 7 years of Republican control of the security of the U.S., it is time for a change. I agree wholeheartedly with the Partnership for a Secure America; it is time to put someone in charge.