Politicians are readying themselves for the upcoming presidential campaign season. A number of contenders have emerged from both the Democrat and Republican political parties, and many are eager to hear how these presidential-hopefuls plan to bring change to the government.
The 2008 presidential campaign was well known for its heavy-handed use of social media. Social media is playing an increasingly vital role in the political realm. Indeed, more politicians than ever are making use of Facebook and Twitter. While their Internet presence can often be used against them, politicians are unflinching in their resolve to connect with voters – particularly young voters – on a level they are familiar with.
News giant CNN will be hosting a Republican presidential primary debate today in which voters are encouraged to take a more active role. CNN will be using QR codes to gauge real-time reactions from those viewing the debate. The codes resolve to a mobile website set up for the debate through which viewers can find exclusive content such as polls, photos and commentary. Viewers are being encouraged to participate in the debate by submitting questions and adding their comments to an online forum.
QR codes are becoming commonplace on TV. They are most often seen advertising some sort of product, but their use has recently expanded beyond the realm of marketing. The codes are being used to provide owners of smart phones a way to interact that is fundamentally different from mediums like Twitter. The codes are often characterized as the next evolution in social networking, a notion that is supported by the fact that they are free to produce and distribute.
