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The Charlotte Observer newspaper

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`THE FUTURE OF POLITICS'

Technologies help politicians brave new world
Candidates are taking advantage of new tools to connect with voters

by JIM MORRILL Fri, Nov. 03, 2006

More than 6,700 constituents jammed U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick's latest town meeting. Quite a crowd, considering that she hosted the gathering in the back room of her SouthPark office.

Using a technology called Tele-Town Hall, Myrick sat in a high-backed leather chair as automated calls went out to 41,000 of her 9th District constituents last week, offering them a chance to ask her questions.

"This is the future of politics," said her aide Andy Polk. "We average 30 people coming to (traditional) town halls. All of a sudden, we've reached 6,700 people in their homes."

Myrick, who faces Democrat Bill Glass in Tuesday's election, is among a growing number of candidates and campaign operatives using technology to connect with voters.

Some are using social networking sites such as MySpace to build electronic support networks. Others are finding backers -- and money -- in the blogosphere. And Myrick and a handful of others are using high-tech systems to communicate with voters.

"Nothing is as good as look 'em in the eye, feel the heat of their hand, but you have to do the best you can with what you have," said Phil Noble, founder of the Charleston-based PoliticsOnline. "And technology helps you do better."

In Charleston, a group of school board candidates who call themselves "The Best Team" are using YouTube video clips to counter an opposing group called "The A Team" in this month's nonpartisan school board elections.

In North Carolina's 13th Congressional District, which stretches from Greensboro to Raleigh, Republican candidate Vernon Robinson let the blogosphere create his Wednesday campaign schedule. More than 200 bloggers voted on three options for different time blocks.

So he was scheduled to start with a 6 a.m. visit with the Rockingham County sheriff's patrol and cram in 10 events before delivering a speech 12 hours later to students at N.C. State University.

In Charlotte, Democratic consultant Carl Clark uses the Internet to train party activists around the state. From his home office, he sets up a virtual classroom and presents information gleaned from mapping software and other tools on the networked computers. Students ask questions by raising a virtual hand -- that is, by hitting a key.

"It's obviously something that gives me a lot more time," Clark said. "Because if I'm doing something in Anson and Burke counties ... I can do (it) without leaving my desk chair."

In her Charlotte office, Myrick sat at a desk covered with position papers on subjects including abortion, border security and Iraq. The Tele-Town Hall program dialed 41,000 numbers across her 9th District counties of Gaston, Union and Mecklenburg. (Politicians are exempt from the state's "do not call" laws.)

Some listeners pressed a button on their phone to join a virtual line of those waiting to ask questions.

"Hi, this is Sue," Myrick said. "Thanks for joining me tonight."

On Myrick's desk, callers' names and towns flashed on the computer screen. As their turns came, Myrick greeted them by name.

Like a radio talk show host, she fielded questions about subjects including the minimum wage, abortion and tobacco. Between calls, she offered her own information, including an upbeat assessment of the national economy and reminders to vote. She also took her own poll, asking her listeners whether they planned to vote.

Numbers once again rolled on the screen.

The overwhelming response: Yes.