Where it all began: The Telegraph

Most people are aware of the feat Abraham Lincoln accomplished, such as his speech, The Emancipation Proclamation, being a lawyer and being the 16th President during the Civil War. But an interesting fact is that even though the telegraph had been invented for years it was never utilized in the White House or by a president, until President Abraham Lincoln used to one in the War Department’s office, according to Pew Research center.

Other than mail, at that time, the telegraph was the best way for long distance communication

5 ways new media are changing politcs

According to an U.S. News article there are five ways new media are changing politics.

1. News You Can Choose
     In today's world, there are many different types of media platforms one can choose to get their daily dose of news. For example, one person may be able to watch news from their iPad but from a selective app. Another example, there numerous amount of newspapers and some papers have loyal readers vs. people who will pick up there paper randomly.

2. Sharing
     Since the advent of Facebook and Twitter, sharing has become very prevalent in news. Once something happens is Sydney, Australia, the whole world will be able to get the information because of people sharing post and tweets. Especially, when a particular Facebook page or Twitter account has numerous followers, it makes it easier for news to spread vastly.

3. Like it
     Its very simple and its meaning is paramount. Just liking a simple post gives the individual behind the post reassurance of your opinion. In some cases, it could almost be seen as a poll. Its much faster and more simple.

4. Connecting with others
     Obviously, social media connects thousands of people but it lacks the face to face communication we once had. Instead of meeting people face to face or handing out flyers, people organize by creating events on Facebook and hoping people will attend.

5. Donate Now
     Most campaigns and organizations need money to efficiently run their program. For me, I like to meet the person or the organization before I hand over my earned money. Social media has made it easier to donate money by having a "donate now" button. This takes away the aspect that I like the most, which is meeting someone before they ask me for money that they desperately need.

The First Television President

Bully pulpit is term coined by Theodore Roosevelt, which is simply a public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue. For example, the White House.

John F. Kennedy was the first true television president and was able to master this "art" and understood its significance.  Kennedy's televised news conferences were great examples of his relaxed and good looks. His speeches on TV were ground shaking and his interviews him more likable with his voter and population and it must be said that his interviewers were generally a lot more respectful than interviewers are today. (USnews.com 2015)

Tweeting from the White House

During the United State's debt ceiling crisis president Obama took the keyboard and tweeted and asked "Americans, Friday to call, email and tweet Congressional leaders to 'keep the pressure on' lawmakers in hopes of reaching a bipartisan deal to raise the nation's $14.3 trillion debt limit ahead of an 2nd of August deadline" (Wikipedia 2015). Throughout that day President Obama sent out numerous tweet, roughly close to 100 that included congressional republicans' twitter handles.

This action by the President allowed him to reach thousands if not millions of people to create pressure on their elected officials.

Obama dot com

Since the advent of Facebook and Myspace, social media has become very important in daily lives. Social media has also been used by President Barack Obama during his campaign and presidency.

In March 2007, Obama launched his Facebook account for others supporters to share and post activities with fellow supporters. Social media seemed to be a very important aspect in Obama's campaign in 2008 because he was recorded spending $643k out of a $16 million internet budget to promote his Facebook page.

Because of society today, getting a Facebook is very helpful in a campaign. Especially, to attract younger voters, like the college ages Facebook is an important tool. Obviously, the best aspect of Facebook is that it helps the campaign to connect with millions of voters without having to leave the White House. It connects his support from California to New York.

If the President were to post anything on his page, over a million would see it and they would share it

Boring but great information

In the 1970's there were many cable television channels being produced and Brian Lamb,  while working as the Washington, D.C. bureau chief of the cable industry trade magazine Cablevision, thought of the idea of C-SPAN. The concept of C-SPAN was to allow viewers to watch congressional hearings and session. It also allowed viewers to watch other public affairs and policy discussions.

Primarily, C-SPAN functions to air the United State Representatives but C-SPAN has expanded into more channels, C-SPAN2, which emphasizes The United States Senate. This program has helped viewers tremendously because it has allowed them to be up to date on hearings, sessions and public affairs. It allows viewers to be updated on legislation going through both houses

First time for everything

Presidents use press conferences to address journalist, media groups, and reporters on specific details, updates, or just simply, news. Now a days president addressing them almost seems mandatory and if it is not done it almost looks bad upon the president. This practice wasn't always the norm for presidents, actually the original press conference was a complete accident.

Woodrow Wilson's told newspapermen the time and location when he would "look them in the face and chat with them for a few minutes." (slate.com 2015). Subsequently, at the said time, there were 125 newsman in Wilson's office ready to hear his words. "Your numbers force me to make a speech to you en masse instead of chatting with each of you, as I had hoped to do, and thus getting greater pleasure and personal acquaintance out of this meeting." (slate.com 2015)

Now today press conference are of the norm.

Fireside Chats

In the 1930's ways before televisions were prevalent in households, families would listen to the radio. Like most people were aware, the radio was an opportunity for anyone to address thousands of people all at once. During that time, the only President to get elected 4 consecutive terms, Franklin D. Roosevelt publicly addressed the people by radio, famously coined as "Fireside Chats." These chats would consist of a wide variety of topics and Roosevelt would give around 30 total radio addresses from March 1933 to June 1944.

Roosevelt was able to reach millions of American by using the radio and he used language that everybody was able to understand. I think this type of communication in this era reassured the American population that we has in touch with them and they his main concern.

Late Night Show Host

In 2004, President Obama made history by becoming the first black President of the United States by promoting and promising change. Not only has Obama made history in a substantial way but also on a lower scale; President Obama is the first sitting president to appear on late night television. The President has appeared on the Late Night Show with David Letterman four times and other shows such as Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Jay Leno Show.
Presidents have used the media by giving speeches, press conferences in hopes to set the agenda but the President appearing on late night television may be a different tactic. Every so often polls come out portraying the population's feelings about the President. Whether it be the approval rating or thinks he is doing a good job or not, the president using late night television could be a way boost these numbers. Not everyone may like the decisions he makes as the commander-in-chief or simply as the executive office but by him appearing a nationally televised television show may show a different side to him. The host's of these shows have the opportunity to show a different side of the President and can make him more relatable to the electorate.
https://youtu.be/P3ijo979wkg (link of Obama on the David Letterman)

 

The Stage is Set in 1960

One one side you have the Keen Senator, who can talk you into diving with hungry sharks; From the White shores of Martha's Vineyard to the prestigious crimson halls. On the other side, there is the grimaced face, tightly wound, Vice-President, shaded by the accomplishments of Ike. The stage is set for the first ever televised presidential debate.

Monday evening in September 1960, more than million people tuned in to watch the first presidential debate.
Today, you can see how the media plays a part in presidential debates.  

Introduction

Hello my name Joel James, a political science major with a concentration in Professional politics and Government. The theme of my blog is to show how Washington uses the media to set the agenda! Some of the content I may post bay refer to current or even past presidents who used media to set their agenda or their respective party