Another testament to the way broadband enabled technologies are changing the way we live and work, a recent Associated Press article focuses on the increasing importance of social media to political campaigns.

Since President Barack Obama’s unprecedented use of social media in his 2008 campaign, political candidates are now turning to Facebook, Twitter, and even iPhone apps to engage supporters.

Illinois State Senator Dan Rutherford used Twitter and Facebook to announce his candidacy for State Treasurer.  The candidate’s embrace of new technology led him to develop an iPhone application.  In regards to the application Rutherford was quoted in the AP article as saying:

“This is another medium for our supporters to track us, and we have people in house who can do it, so it was common sense to have one.”

Candidates use the applications to connect with their supporters.  Some candidates use the apps for fundraising, while others use the technology to share their calendars, display photos, or post news media releases.

Doug MacGinnitie, a Georgia Secretary of State candidate, released an iPhone application that has been downloaded roughly 200 times, according to the candidate who was quoted in the article.  In regards to the impact the phone application will have on political campaigns, MacGinnitie said:

“I don’t think it’s going to change the course of history, but I’ve gotten comments from people who think it’s cool.”

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“It reinforces the notion that I come from the business world, which is generally quicker to embrace technology.”

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