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John Tobin sorta gets it
By adamg on Sun, 04/24/2005 - 1:50pm
That's Michael's judgment of City Councillor John Tobin's Web presence. On the one hand, it's cool that Tobin (who represents Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury) has a well designed, blog-based Web site (run by Steve Garfield). On the other hand, Tobin himself isn't actually blogging on the site - maybe a symptom of the fact that true blogging and discourse means taking a risk, and that's one thing politicians hate to do, Michael says:
... Perhaps, rather than getting politicians to blog, it is time for bloggers to enter politics. ...
Notes from Tobin's meeting with the Berkman bloggers last week
Video of his talk
Ed. note: Two years ago, Matt O'Malley actually blogged and dipped into the Wicked Good Conference to talk about Boston issues when he ran for an at-large council seat. So far, his 2005 Web site looks like any other generic candidate site, but one can hope there's more to come.
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Comments
unmediated unfiltered video blogging
Hi,
I'd have to say that by John allowing unmediated unfiltered video of himself in city hall, with constituents and at meetings, to be posted to his blog is forward thinking.
I don't represent the campaign and am just the video/web guy, but I think the impression that he's not actually blogging on the site is a false one.
He doesn't have to type text onto the blog to communicate. That's the whole breakthrough of video blogging. Video gives you an up close an personal look at the person, much more so then your average text based blog.
I'm not ruling out the possibilty of Councillor Tobin posting his own text posts, that's up to him, but I'd much rather see him continue to allow people to see the real John Tobin with continued video blog posts.
--Steve
Tobin not Blogging
I am sure Tobin does not write the blog himself is not because of taking risk but because a pain in the ass, and why give an opi9nion when no one asked. Not wise for a politician. And if he doesn't get re-elected he ijs no good to anyone. I want a city councillor, not a blogger.
Political Blogging
For the record I am Councillor Tobin's chief of staff. The office appreciates all comments and criticism regarding our new website. Blogging and video blogging are both new concepts to our office. This is a leaning experience for not only the staff, but also Councillor Tobin. We understand the need to have more direct contact from Councillor Tobin, however you must also understand that in our office we have a team approach. We, as a staff, represent the Councillor at a community meeting, on the phone with constituents and now on our website, blogging. We are still feeling out what works and what doesn’t. We will continue to make adjustments to help maximize communication with the public. We are not afraid of taking risk, hence the first elected official to our knowledge video blogging. We just have yet to master what the video blogging community wants to see and read. Right now the feedback is more John Tobin speaking more as a rant then at scheduled functions, community events, and campaign events. Please keep checking back to votejohntobin.com and continue the feedback it is greatly appreciated.