My Blogging ReportMy Blogging Report

Meika SmithMeika SmithMEDT 3401-04DMEDT 3401-04DProfessor HuettProfessor Huett

The name of the blog I followed is called Barack The name of the blog I followed is called Barack Obama: Change We Can Believe In.Obama: Change We Can Believe In.

The URL is: The URL is: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/group/Obahttp://my.barackobama.com/page/community/group/ObamaHQ/maHQ/

This is a community blog and so there are many This is a community blog and so there are many authors or bloggers. For the specific days that I authors or bloggers. For the specific days that I read the blog, I will list the author as well.read the blog, I will list the author as well.

The purpose of this blog is to allow citizens to The purpose of this blog is to allow citizens to become involved with the Obama campaign. News become involved with the Obama campaign. News updates and alerts are posted daily, as well as updates and alerts are posted daily, as well as photos, videos, and even Obama speeches. You photos, videos, and even Obama speeches. You can volunteer or make phone calls to raise money. can volunteer or make phone calls to raise money. All in all, this blog allows you learn more about All in all, this blog allows you learn more about Barack Obama and become apart of his team. Barack Obama and become apart of his team.

Week 1Week 1January 24, 2008January 24, 2008

Obama on the Move!!Obama on the Move!!

By: Zachary Scott EdwardsBy: Zachary Scott Edwards

Obama believes that Washington is not doing their best Obama believes that Washington is not doing their best to help citizens keep their houses. Foreclosure rates are to help citizens keep their houses. Foreclosure rates are rising every year and Obama wants to change this. rising every year and Obama wants to change this. Michelle Obama also returns to Georgetown, SC to visit Michelle Obama also returns to Georgetown, SC to visit family and also speak at her father’s church about her family and also speak at her father’s church about her husband and his ability to lead this country. Obama husband and his ability to lead this country. Obama wants to lower the poverty rate by expanding access to wants to lower the poverty rate by expanding access to jobs, and make work pay for all Americans. Obama jobs, and make work pay for all Americans. Obama supporters started a march in New York in support of supporters started a march in New York in support of Obama and Obama opposes war in Iraq.Obama and Obama opposes war in Iraq.

Week 2Week 2January 26, 2008January 26, 2008

South Carolina Primary ResultsSouth Carolina Primary Results

By: Sam Graham-FelsonBy: Sam Graham-Felson

Obama wins South Carolina in a landslide victory (58% to Obama wins South Carolina in a landslide victory (58% to 27%). This is Obama’s most dominant win so far. Obama 27%). This is Obama’s most dominant win so far. Obama was down 24 points in the polls before December. Now was down 24 points in the polls before December. Now that is a major comeback. According to polls, Obama won that is a major comeback. According to polls, Obama won 68% of 18-29 yrs old, 62% of 30-44 yrs old, 55% of 45-59 68% of 18-29 yrs old, 62% of 30-44 yrs old, 55% of 45-59 yrs old, 63% of people who never voted, 54% of non-yrs old, 63% of people who never voted, 54% of non-college educated voters, and 52% of college educated college educated voters, and 52% of college educated voters. What big numbers these are and what a major voters. What big numbers these are and what a major statement the people of South Carolina are making.statement the people of South Carolina are making.

Week 3Week 3January 31, 2008January 31, 2008

Democratic DebateDemocratic DebateBy: Scott GoodsteinBy: Scott Goodstein

A group of independent voters watched the democratic A group of independent voters watched the democratic debate and when it was over, they declared they would debate and when it was over, they declared they would vote for Barack Obama. They believe he stuck true to his vote for Barack Obama. They believe he stuck true to his four core issues (change, unity, inspiration, and problem-four core issues (change, unity, inspiration, and problem-solving) and incorporated them into his every answer. solving) and incorporated them into his every answer. Also, today, John Edwards dropped out of the race for the Also, today, John Edwards dropped out of the race for the 2008 Presidency. Obama praised him for his hard work. 2008 Presidency. Obama praised him for his hard work. He also said he believed either Mrs. Clinton or himself will He also said he believed either Mrs. Clinton or himself will be the next president. In the past, there has been much be the next president. In the past, there has been much tension between Clinton and Obama, but both tried to tension between Clinton and Obama, but both tried to keep the debate civil and calm.keep the debate civil and calm.

Week 4Week 4February 5, 2008February 5, 2008

Obama Wins Georgia!!Obama Wins Georgia!!

By: Sam Graham-FelsonBy: Sam Graham-Felson

In the first win of what is expected to be a long night, on In the first win of what is expected to be a long night, on super Tuesday, Senator Barack Obama defeated Senator super Tuesday, Senator Barack Obama defeated Senator Hillary Clinton in Georgia, a key Southern state, winning Hillary Clinton in Georgia, a key Southern state, winning 86% to Clinton’s 13%. Obama increased his support 86% to Clinton’s 13%. Obama increased his support among African American voters since South Carolina, but among African American voters since South Carolina, but he dramatically improved his standing among white he dramatically improved his standing among white voters. The win in Georgia is Barack’s strongest showing voters. The win in Georgia is Barack’s strongest showing among female voters of any contest so far.among female voters of any contest so far.

Week 5Week 5February 14, 2008February 14, 2008

Rep. John Lewis Switches to ObamaRep. John Lewis Switches to Obama

By: Sam Graham-FelsonBy: Sam Graham-Felson

Prominent Clinton backer says he will now vote for Prominent Clinton backer says he will now vote for Obama. Representative John Lewis, an iconic figure from Obama. Representative John Lewis, an iconic figure from the Civil Rights era and one of senator Hillary Clinton’s the Civil Rights era and one of senator Hillary Clinton’s most prominent black supporters, said that he planned to most prominent black supporters, said that he planned to cast his vote as a superdelegate for Senator Obama in cast his vote as a superdelegate for Senator Obama in hopes of preventing a fight at the Democratic hopes of preventing a fight at the Democratic Convention. A statement from the Clinton campaign said Convention. A statement from the Clinton campaign said that she still respects Mr. Lewis and his wishes to join the that she still respects Mr. Lewis and his wishes to join the Obama campaign.Obama campaign.

CommentsComments

Here are my responses to the blog Here are my responses to the blog so far.so far.

Comments contd.Comments contd.

Week 6Week 6February 17, 2008February 17, 2008

Winning in November: Obama the Winning in November: Obama the Strongest General Election CandidateStrongest General Election Candidate

By: Christopher HassBy: Christopher Hass

In a Rasmussen poll released today providing an early look In a Rasmussen poll released today providing an early look at potential general election Presidential match-ups in the at potential general election Presidential match-ups in the important state of Pennsylvania, Barack Obama holds a important state of Pennsylvania, Barack Obama holds a commanding double-digit lead over John McCain, while commanding double-digit lead over John McCain, while McCain edges out Hillary Clinton in a close race. Obama McCain edges out Hillary Clinton in a close race. Obama leads McCain 49% to 39%, but McCain leads Clinton in leads McCain 49% to 39%, but McCain leads Clinton in several other recent state polls including Oregon, New several other recent state polls including Oregon, New Hampshire, Colorado, and Nevada.Hampshire, Colorado, and Nevada.

Comments contd.Comments contd.

Positive AspectsPositive Aspects Positive aspects that I liked were that this blog was Positive aspects that I liked were that this blog was

always updated and straight forward. No reading the always updated and straight forward. No reading the same blogs over and over; major plus!!same blogs over and over; major plus!!

This blog always had a concise plan and order. You This blog always had a concise plan and order. You always knew what was going on with the Obama always knew what was going on with the Obama campaign. The layout was simple and easy to follow.campaign. The layout was simple and easy to follow.

I also liked that Barack Obama also wrote some of I also liked that Barack Obama also wrote some of the blogs, which also made the blog more personal. the blogs, which also made the blog more personal. Overall, I learned more about where Mr. Obama Overall, I learned more about where Mr. Obama stands and what he feels he can do for our nation.stands and what he feels he can do for our nation.

Negative AspectsNegative Aspects What I felt did not work for this blog was What I felt did not work for this blog was

that there were too many authors. I felt lost that there were too many authors. I felt lost trying to follow a certain person. There are trying to follow a certain person. There are so many blogs for one day and it is hard so many blogs for one day and it is hard trying to read, follow and keep up with trying to read, follow and keep up with every one.every one.

I also did not like that non-supporters were I also did not like that non-supporters were allowed to post negative comments on the allowed to post negative comments on the blog. I understand that blogging is for blog. I understand that blogging is for everyone to express their beliefs but everyone to express their beliefs but negative comments are rude, disrespectful, negative comments are rude, disrespectful, and uncalled for. I believe someone should and uncalled for. I believe someone should monitor comments more closely.monitor comments more closely.

Yes or No???Yes or No??? I loved and enjoyed reading I loved and enjoyed reading

this blog. I learned a lot this blog. I learned a lot about Barack Obama and about Barack Obama and where he stands with his where he stands with his ideas for the nation. His ideas for the nation. His education plan is really education plan is really awesome.awesome.

I believe I will read this blog I believe I will read this blog

and others again. Blogging and others again. Blogging is a simple way to stay alert is a simple way to stay alert and on top of things when and on top of things when you do not have the time you do not have the time for the news. I am very for the news. I am very interested to see how this interested to see how this election will turn out and I election will turn out and I pretty sure I know where I pretty sure I know where I can go to find out more.can go to find out more.