Allen on Technology: “Reindeer in the server? Elves?!”
By Shaun Kenney | Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 | Politics, VirginiaJust to show you what a class act George Allen is:
For those of you who participated in the LiveStream open mic with Governor Allen last night, the technical difficulties were enough to make even the most average social media guy scream bloody murder. Allen kept his humor!
Of course, everyone’s favorite socialist polemicist Lowell Feld didn’t see it that way:
Yesterday evening, George Allen held an online townhall meeting via Facebook. … Allen also jokes about “reindeers” and “elves in the servers,” sarcastically says “let’s do this tomorrow!,”
Anything to get into the Washington Post, eh?
Of course, perhaps Kaine was still snacking on leftovers from Chucky Schumer’s $5K a plate gun grabbing bonanza from last week? Maybe that’s why Kaine has yet to even engage in a public forum? But I digress…
This does bring up a couple of interesting thoughts on how social media is being used this year. Video clips, war room via Tweet, instant debate analysis, etc.
As a tech geek, I’m always latching on to new ideas… and to date, I’m impressed to see candidates wholeheartedly embracing social media nowadays. That is not something that many campaign managers would have advised even as recently as 2008.
UPDATE: Hey kids! Wanna find out how Democrats push the Google rank of a story? Click here for this left-wing bragging entitled Kicking Ass and Taking Names from a listserv called PopUlist…@hotmail.com.
So who wrote this screed? Anyone wanna fess up before a reporter decides it’s worth asking?
$10 says the DSCC pushes this story… you watch. We’ll connect the dots for ya. Do I detect a scandal?
UPDATE x2: Allen staffers confirm the technical difficulties… said the server went down on three separate occasions. Ah well, gremlins. Whaddya do?
UPDATE x3: An unlikely ally… but deadly accurate.
That screaming noise you hear? Is Lowell Feld tearing out what little hair he has left on his head.
Ouch.
Let the blow back commence.
UPDATE x4: Meanwhile, video has been obtained of the rigorous training session Blue Virginia forces upon its contributors…
Bright, shiny objects folks. Welcome to a liberal’s worldview.
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About the author
Shaun Kenney is the Chairman of the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors, former Communications Director for the Republican Party of Virginia, and an active blogger since 2002. Shaun lives in Thomas Jefferson's backyard with his wife, six children, and a modest attempt at a farm in Kents Store, Virginia.
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12 Responses to "Allen on Technology: “Reindeer in the server? Elves?!”"
Spot-on, Shaun. I’ll never forget my first visit to Richmond as a blogger in 2005. I’m surprised I was even allowed into RPV and the GAB! I literally got the “What are these internets that you speak of” look from several political types. Now they’re all using the Internet and social media tools.
And we’ve had our share of technical difficulties trying to break new ground. Kudos to Allen for maintaining his sense of humor…of course, he’s used to it. I once had to record an entire podcast over with him and another time the connection sucked so bad we had to figure out a way to meet in person.
For all the critics of Allen over what transpired in 2006, his game in 2012 is going to be extremely proactive using every media tool at his disposal. It’s been a transcendence worthy of great accolades.
As we sometimes say to one another, he’s a political figure who, “gets it.”
Wow, what a video! I’m all gitty waiting for tomorrow.
I’m a little surprised we haven’t seen more activity via social media from the campaigns — either POTUS, Senate, or House — both ’11 and ’12.
5% ought to be the amount a campaign spends on social media, and what we should see out of that should be active, innovative ways to engage. And yes — some of that is basic, Web 1.0 outreach.
A little dismayed that (1) there hasn’t been too much innovation and (2) the bevy of pretenders out there. Lots of consumers of social media are out there peddling services… but just because I know how to eat a steak doesn’t mean I know how to cook a steak, etc.
As for Blue Virginia putting the “low” in Lowell… well… ’nuff said.
Allen’s really been engaged. You head to his website, you see a proactive approach to Facebook, Twitter, online video, rss feeds, his own blog, etc.
Also, he’s trying new ways to engage with the public in a live and dynamic environment – including podcasts and, yes, LiveStream, and more.
So, Allen is engaging with the people and the last time the “people” saw Kaine, they had to spend $5k…
Agreed. Looks like Allen’s campaign is figuring it out and engaging folks — reindeer notwithstanding.
Kaine’s folks have been amazingly lackluster so far… and no one in Virginia really blew me away in ’11.
Gotta give points to Allen for stepping into the ring on social media, though. Both feet, gloves on, ready to engage. Very credible, and very cool.
Damn, no new video. Eagerly waiting for the next moment of brilliance.
Yet another case of overstretch by the left…nice catch from HuffPo, Shaun.
But it shows what liberals will be up to all year all across the country – grasping at straws and crying wolf.
It’s going to backfire. My only hope is that they don’t learn their lesson.
It makes sense now. Most of us understand the left but can’t put certain situations into context.
You cleared it up with the cat.
The classy portion is still alittle fuzzy but I guess you had to be there.
[...] #DSCCFAIL: Huffington Post: “DSCC trying too hard: Distributes video of George Allen being normal/charming. Calls him an out-of-touch whiner.” Background, with video, here. [...]
Shaun,
You have not seen anything from the blogs, because there is nothing to blog about.
Media didn’t work (that’s the story) and Allen made a Christmas joke about elves. That’s Allen. He finds the best in every situation, no matter how ‘tortuous’ social media can be.
I have a question… Why hasn’t someone called out Lowell for his Felix Macacawitz comments in referring to Governor Allen. Sounds a touch anti-semitic if you ask me.
Lee, There is nothing antisemitic about felix macacaberg either.. You don’t have to worry son, allen is the new anti establishmentarian and his new message is so refreshing.. Wait until kaine unloads mano a mano.. This ain’t no walk in the park if/ when a 3rd party drops in..
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