We Move Issues

Social Media Intensifying Race for Governor

The race for governor in New Jersey has heated up recently, a result largely in part due to a very valuable campaign tool, new media. Governor Jon Corzine and Chris Christie have each become active in social media communications through YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Video messages, statements, speaking events, Tweets and blog posts, are all utilized by the candidates to display information and even communicate attacks against each other. Governor Corzine and Chris Christie employ social media to speak directly with loyal supporters and display their platforms to garner additional voters. The ability to target specific niches within social media will definitely help determine November’s outcome.

Obama Utilizes Social Media

President Obama has employed the use of Facebook, emails and other sources of social media, as he did in his presidential campaign, as a tool in reforming the health-care industry. Obama has again turned to grassroots in order to garner support in hopes that key legislators and stakeholders will take notice. Unlike the efficiency and effectiveness of the campaign, the President has been receiving mixed results.  Time will tell if the President will be able to reform what others before him have not been able to achieve.

CPA Unlocking Stimulus Funds

Lobbyists have become actively involved in unlocking stimulus funds for private firms and local municipalities. Funds allocated for transportation and infrastructure projects have become the center of the action. "Capital Public Affairs, Inc. in Princeton is heavily focused on stimulus allocations for municipalities and higher education institutions" as stated by CPA President Steven Some in a recent NJ Biz article.

CPA is actively involved in working towards a green technology construction project for a college. In addition to engineering firms and municipalities looking to improve their infrastructure.

CPA President Steven Some on NJ-Now

Capital Public Affairs, Inc. President Steven Some recently appeared on NJ-Now to discuss the recent Democratic and Republican primary results and the upcoming gubernatorial election between Governor Jon Corzine and Chris Christie. Watch as Steven, NJ GOPAC Chairman, covers November's election.

Newsom Tweets His Campaign Announcement

Barack Obama led the charge with his text message announcement of Joe Biden as his running mate. Gavin Newsom is hoping to pick up where Obama left off. Newsom recently tweeted his announcement to run for Governor of California. It's becoming a requirement that high-level campaigns establish a presence on sites like Facebook and Twitter. However, such sites offer a wealth of value for local and district-wide candidates as well. The ability to find and target local voters could be extremely valuable to a savvy local campaign. It will be interesting to see which campaigns understand this and leverage it to their electoral advantage.

State Department Embraces Social Media

Taking a cue from her boss, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is becoming a model for how government officials can utilize social media tools to engage their audience and enhance their visibility. The State Department has a blog, twitter profile and YouTube channel in addition to interactive tools on the Department's web site. It's no surprise that the most well-known member of this President's team is embracing social media in much the same manner that Obama did during the campaign.

Governor Corzine Takes to Facebook

New Jersey Governor Jon  Corzine has a reelection battle on his hands, massive state debt to contend with and a tough budget season ahead. Corzine has enlisted Facebook to help spread his message, enlist supporters and fight back against the claims of "waging war on the middle class" during this crucial juncture in his first term. It's good to see elected officials embracing social networks and engaging citizens directly, but it's important for Corzine and others to remember to actively engage your online audience when appropriate, provide consistent, relevant updates and be as transparent as possible, even when handling criticism.

The Jersey Bounce, Republican Style

Republicans have had a tough time statewide in New Jersey for decades. However, an increasing number of pundits are entertaining the notion of a GOP revival in the Garden State this year. With the country in recession and unemployment rising, incumbents everywhere have reason to be concerned. That's no different in New Jersey, especially during a year that will likely see an incumbent facing a challenger perceived as a corruption-buster intent on changing the politics of Trenton.

Washington Post OffersAnalysis on NJ Gov's Race

The Washington Post is wondering whether a Republican can "finally" win New Jersey's governorship. We'll know that answer later on this year, but one thing is clear this year in the Garden State: the Republicans stand their best chanse to retake Drumthwacket in a long time. Of course, the GOP nominee will be up against a well-funded Corzine campaign as well as presumed appearances from President Obama. It's hard to see how that could hurt Corzine back home. Stay tuned...

Congressional Tweeters in the Spotlight

People, politicians included, can't seem to sign-up for Twitter fast enough.  At least for some. For those wondering if their member of Congress is tweeting, you can check Tweet Congress to find out. The LA Times Tech Blog and Yahoo! both picked up the story of the D.C.-based tweeters and the site that tracks them. There is no doubt that as the universe of communications tools grows, the universe of people using them also grow, politicians included. For a group of people who always want to get their message out, we hope that more politicians will embrace Twitter and use it to keep their constituents informed and up-to-date.