2008 Woodie Awards
Facebook looks to '08 race
Ryan Mehalek/Online Reporter
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: Arts and Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
For young college students, there tends to be a lack of interest in what is going on in politics. Conversely, there appears to be a great interest in the rise of technology and the Internet.
ABC News and Facebook announced a new program Monday aimed toward gaining interest in younger voters for the 2008 race for the White House.
The two have combined to create a Facebook application called U.S. Politics. They hope to give Facebook members a new way to learn about and debate issues in the upcoming presidential election.
Facebook users who take part in the application will affect what ABC News covers in the presidential campaign events, said David Westin, president of ABC News. The U.S. Politics application will also hold response polls about various campaign issues.
"So many college students today are logged onto Facebook and interested in all of the new applications," sophomore Brett Owens said. "It will help spread what the candidates want young America to know."
Junior Aimee Shalvis said: "It's good because it keeps college students involved. For the most part, we don't really watch the news for whatever reason. Facebook is an easier source to stay interested."
ABC News reporters following the presidential candidates throughout the race will post news stories, blogs, and photographs from the campaign trail directly onto Facebook.
"You can tell that politicians are really trying to touch base with college students now," sophomore Mike LaRocco said. "It's the only way to get most of us to even remotely care."
A section of the application called Debate Groups will allow Facebook members to post and share their own thoughts about the campaign. This will happen mostly during the nominating conventions of the political parties next year.
To access the new application, Facebook users can type "US Politics" in the search field of the social network.
ABC News and Facebook announced a new program Monday aimed toward gaining interest in younger voters for the 2008 race for the White House.
The two have combined to create a Facebook application called U.S. Politics. They hope to give Facebook members a new way to learn about and debate issues in the upcoming presidential election.
Facebook users who take part in the application will affect what ABC News covers in the presidential campaign events, said David Westin, president of ABC News. The U.S. Politics application will also hold response polls about various campaign issues.
"So many college students today are logged onto Facebook and interested in all of the new applications," sophomore Brett Owens said. "It will help spread what the candidates want young America to know."
Junior Aimee Shalvis said: "It's good because it keeps college students involved. For the most part, we don't really watch the news for whatever reason. Facebook is an easier source to stay interested."
ABC News reporters following the presidential candidates throughout the race will post news stories, blogs, and photographs from the campaign trail directly onto Facebook.
"You can tell that politicians are really trying to touch base with college students now," sophomore Mike LaRocco said. "It's the only way to get most of us to even remotely care."
A section of the application called Debate Groups will allow Facebook members to post and share their own thoughts about the campaign. This will happen mostly during the nominating conventions of the political parties next year.
To access the new application, Facebook users can type "US Politics" in the search field of the social network.
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