Clinton, Obama and a new era of 21st century tools for politics

Be sure to check out the e-mail below from our NPI director, Peter Leyden. With so many people employing new tools (such as video) in politics lately, NPI's message has been resonating. Where we go from here is going to be interesting, for sure....

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Let the New Politics begin! In the first few weeks of the nascent 2008 campaign, we've already seen innovations that are changing the game for everyone working in politics.

The New Politics Institute has been championing these changes for the last 18 months and we are well-positioned to help progressives of all stripes and all levels of politics take advantage of the new tools and new strategies, with insightful research and analysis on a broad range of topics:

• NPI recently launched a new series of reports entitled "Re-imagining Video." So if you are watching Hillary's video chats or Barack Obama's YouTube announcement, and asking yourself "how do I do that?", then you won't want to miss this series. Also, be sure to check out Simon's recent essay on changing political TV ads.
• Our New Media Checklist is a must-read and provides a clear strategy for mastering new media trends.
• One of the next big developments in communications is wireless and NPI fellow Tim Chambers recently wrote a groundbreaking paper on the future of mobile media. Read it, and you'll understand that text messages from John Edwards about his next speech are only the tip of the iceberg in this exciting space.
• We are also the leading source for understanding the impact of blogs and the netroots on politics. See our own video interview of NPI Founding Fellow Markos Moulitsas of Daily Kos, or a recent report from MYDD founder Jerome Armstrong on how progressives can engage the blogs.
• And in an era where video is moving away from traditional TV and directly to the Internet, progressives must begin using search ads and search optimization techniques, just like our counterparts in the private sector.
• Bringing it all together, we have an ongoing New Tools campaign that encourages progressives to, among other things, shift ad spend from broadcast to cable, and speak in Spanish. Did you notice how Gov. Bill Richardson last week announced his presidential candidacy in two internet videos, one in English and one in Spanish?
• All our reports are accompanied by video and I encourage you to watch clips from our most recent New Tools event, and to read our daily commentary on www.ndnblog.org.

Progressives are stepping into the void left by a decade of failed conservative leadership and showing great promise in offering solutions to the unique challenges of governing in the 21st century. But being right on the issues is not always enough.

In the 2008 cycle and beyond, progressives must continue to innovate and communicate our ideas in ever more compelling ways. We must adopt new tools that allow citizens to connect and contribute to our efforts in politics and government. The New Politics Institute will be there to bring the best minds in the media, tech, and political worlds together to help drive that innovation and spread the adoption of the new tools.

It’s going to be fun. Stay tuned....