NDP Online Tools

cybercoma · March 28, 2011

Well, it appears the NDP has taken their campaign to the web. Not only do they have blog skins and profile pictures, but they also have a Jack Layton app. Obviously trying to cash in on what helped Obama, but will this really work for the NDP? Youth simply don't get out to vote and does the NDP have anything exciting or inspirational to get them there?

Here's the link: http://www.ndp.ca/online-tools

Michael Hardner · March 28, 2011

Download the free Jack Layton iPhone App now – and get in on the action.

Watch videos and view photos from the campaign trail – right on your phone.

Follow Jack's tour and find out when he's coming to your community.

Spread the word to your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

And get insider alerts and messages to keep you posted on every twist and turn of the campaign.

Not much substance there is there ? Videos... photos... a little tracking app, as if Jack is a Canada goose with a beeper on his foot...

And the sad finish:

"And get insider alerts and messages to keep you posted on every twist and turn of the campaign."

This is the election as video game material. Can we have a real election on the side, where we can find out about ideas please ?

punked · March 28, 2011

Not much substance there is there ? Videos... photos... a little tracking app, as if Jack is a Canada goose with a beeper on his foot...

And the sad finish:

"And get insider alerts and messages to keep you posted on every twist and turn of the campaign."

This is the election as video game material. Can we have a real election on the side, where we can find out about ideas please ?

It is at the platform address. I believe the announcement for the larger document is later in the week.

http://www.ndp.ca/platform

Edited March 28, 2011 by punked

Michael Hardner · March 28, 2011

It is at the platform address. I believe the announcement for the larger document is later in the week.

http://www.ndp.ca/platform

ok...

Not much there yet:

Making life more affordable
New Democrats will reduce the cost of everyday essentials like home heating. And we’ll ensure that every family takes home more of every paycheque.

Rewarding job creators

Under Stephen Harper, your tax dollars went to companies shipping Canadian jobs overseas. New Democrats will target investment to small businesses and companies actually creating jobs right here at home.

Improving front-line health services

New Democrats will take concrete steps to train more family doctors. We’ll improve homecare. And we’ll make your prescription medicines a little more affordable.

Putting families first

New Democrats will strengthen pensions. We’ll make childcare and education more accessible. And we’ll improve EI to make it easier for families to care for ageing loved ones.

Costs and details to come. I hope.

cybercoma · March 29, 2011

Although by posting this it automatically qualifies as an ad for the NDP, I thought I would make the thread to discuss the larger issue of using the internet and social media for campaigning and young voter engagement. These were key to Obama's success and it is without a doubt that this is the reason the NDP are jumping on these "online tools" for their campaign. But Jack Layton is not Barack Obama. Nevertheless, IMO, it's a great idea to try to get younger voters engaged and to use social media for your campaigns

kimmy · March 29, 2011

Well, it appears the NDP has taken their campaign to the web. Not only do they have blog skins and profile pictures, but they also have a Jack Layton app. Obviously trying to cash in on what helped Obama, but will this really work for the NDP? Youth simply don't get out to vote and does the NDP have anything exciting or inspirational to get them there?

Here's the link: http://www.ndp.ca/online-tools

I think that making an effort to reach young voters is important, even if most of them don't actually give a crap. First off, it has symbolic importance. Secondly, some young people actually do vote, and reaching them young might encourage "brand loyalty". Just because the parties have done a lousy job of appealing to young voters in recent years doesn't mean it's an impossible task, it might just mean the parties have done a lousy job of it.

As well, social media and online networking aren't just for young people anymore. Your parents and even your grandparents might be on Facebook and Twitter and Youtube. It's how people share ideas and opinions now. It's part of an effective communications strategy, and is probably a much more cost-effective way of campaigning than buying old-media advertising.

That said, having an effective communications strategy is only part of the challenge. You have to have ideas worth communicating, and you have to have an audience willing to listen. I think a lot of people might be inherently unwilling to listen to the NDP regardless of what means they use to communicate.

I don't think there's an issue in Canada right now that people are passionate enough about to raise voter turnout, especially young people. I don't think there's a leader in Canada who would energize young voters either. This is, after all, Canada. Even when things are bad, they're still pretty good.

-k

edit to add: I just noticed they only provided an iPhone app. Get on Android, you deadbeats! NDP voters can't afford iPhones!

Edited March 29, 2011 by kimmy

Shwa · March 29, 2011

I think that making an effort to reach young voters is important, even if most of them don't actually give a crap. First off, it has symbolic importance. Secondly, some young people actually do vote, and reaching them young might encourage "brand loyalty". Just because the parties have done a lousy job of appealing to young voters in recent years doesn't mean it's an impossible task, it might just mean the parties have done a lousy job of it.

As well, social media and online networking aren't just for young people anymore. Your parents and even your grandparents might be on Facebook and Twitter and Youtube. It's how people share ideas and opinions now. It's part of an effective communications strategy, and is probably a much more cost-effective way of campaigning than buying old-media advertising.

That said, having an effective communications strategy is only part of the challenge. You have to have ideas worth communicating, and you have to have an audience willing to listen. I think a lot of people might be inherently unwilling to listen to the NDP regardless of what means they use to communicate.

I don't think there's an issue in Canada right now that people are passionate enough about to raise voter turnout, especially young people. I don't think there's a leader in Canada who would energize young voters either. This is, after all, Canada. Even when things are bad, they're still pretty good.

-k

edit to add: I just noticed they only provided an iPhone app. Get on Android, you deadbeats! NDP voters can't afford iPhones!

No Android? They can piss off. Still beholden to 'the man' eh Jackie Boy? :angry:

But anyways, if it is done right, it can reach the young voters. If it is done crappy on a crappy platform that looks shitty and crawls, the young people will stay away. Offer free Netflix and xBox Bandwidth and they will come.

On the other hand, in the last municipal election, our former Mayor did the 'green' thing and stayed away from littering the city with his campaign signs and tried a Facebook campaign. I did say former Mayor right?