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Social Media Savvy and Tech Sector Support May Help Win The White House – So Does Romney or Obama Have the Tech Edge?

Sep. 6, 2012 1:08pm

Social media savvy and support of the tech sector aren’t key talking points in a presidential race focused on the economy, but those issues may nonetheless play a key role in deciding who occupies the White House next year.

Back in 2008, technology and social media played a much more prominent role in getting President Barack Obama’s message out and showing him to be a more hip and connected candidate than Senator John McCain. Given that the tech sector can be relatively bipartisan from a jobs, innovation and security standpoint, those in the industry are eager to hear how their issues will be addressed by both candidates.

The tech sector is expected to grow 29 percent in the U.S. by 2020 – but would that be better under four more years of Obama or with Mitt Romney in the White House?

When it comes to social media and an overall online presence, President Barack Obama appears to be leading the charge — as he did in the 2008 election. Twitter’s “Political Index,” which measures the tone of Twitter users regarding the candidates, confirms this to be the case.

A Look At the Presidential Candidates Through the Lens of the Tech Industry

Twitter Political Index as of Sept. 5, 2012. (Image: Twitter)

A Look At the Presidential Candidates Through the Lens of the Tech Industry

Twitter's Political Index chart. Blue represents Obama and red represents Romney. (Image: Twitter)

Anthony Rotolo, professor at the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University who is teaching a class this semester called “Social Media and the 2012 Election”, said that although the Obama campaign may have a head start on social media technology in terms of reputation, he believes the gap has closed.

“The Republican efforts to recover and rebuild for the 2010 midterm election often prioritized social media and online organization, with a tremendous amount of tech activity coming out of the Tea Party movement,” Rotolo said in an email to TheBlaze. ”By 2012, the combined efforts of the establishment GOP and the Tea Party had erased the tech advantage once enjoyed by Obama/Biden. The Romney/Ryan campaign seems to be starting on a level playing field in 2012. We are no longer looking at which side is more tech friendly, but instead we ask which side can convert online engagement to offline action.”

From a policy and innovation standpoint though, in talking with stakeholders in the industry, it is clear both sides are waiting for some attention that could influence their decision either way.

From the policy angle, Dave Aitel, CEO of the ethical hacking firm Immunity, Inc., said Obama seems to be the best positioned, but that is not to say the Romney camp doesn’t have the opportunity to position itself well in the tech industry should it choose to do so.

The example Aitel uses are the past opinions of the politicians on the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA). He told TheBlaze that Obama was against these copyright regulations, which some believed would lead to Internet censorship, while Romney’s running mate Rep. Paul Ryan was in favor of SOPA before stepping on the bandwagon against the bill later. And even though these bills have been dead in the water since the Internet blackout launched against them in March, Aitel said he expects iterations of them will come back more in the form of international treaties.

This is where Aitel thinks Romney would have an opportunity to position himself well in the tech community regarding copyright law.

Rotolo with Syracuse University seconded this sentiment saying “both campaigns are defenders of the Internet in theory.” He does note that Obama could “in the minds of some techies” be ahead of Romney/Ryan for killing SOPA though.

Another issue close to the heart of the tech community and increasingly the American public as a whole, Aitel said, is privacy.

“Before Bin Laden died the public was willing to say ‘whatever you have to do to kill this guy, do what you have to do,’” Aitel said. “Now, privacy concerns are back into the foreground.”

Aitel said the tech community may consider Obama as similar to Bush when it comes to privacy infringing tactics used as part of the War on Terror.

“Privacy really has to be dealt with. We need to ask ourselves what we’re really comfortable with the government having access to,” Aitel said.

Expounding upon the sentiments of those in the tech industry from a business standpoint, the non-profit trade association for the IT sector CompTIA published the results of a poll of 300 professionals in July about their views on the presidential candidates. The majority of responses to many of the questions were “neither/not sure.”

A Look At the Presidential Candidates Through the Lens of the Tech Industry

Obama reacts to a marshmallow shooter during a tour of the White House Science Fair in February 2012. He announced new policies to recruit and support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teacher programs with the goal of training one million additional STEM students over the next decade. (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

For example:

Q:  Who would do a better job as president regarding the following important information technology issues that face the US economy today?

Tax policies that promote innovation & jobs in the U.S. IT sector
Obama   38%
Romney   25%
Neither / Not Sure 37%

Access to capital to advance start-ups and business expansion
Obama   33%
Romney   30%
Neither / Not Sure 37%

Expansion of tech exports by U.S. small and medium sized IT businesses
Obama   34%
Romney   27%
Neither / Not Sure 39%

Promote STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math)
Obama   37%
Romney   25%
Neither / Not Sure 38%

Ensure privacy as part of broadband, online and mobile policy
Obama   32%
Romney   26%
Neither / Not Sure 42%

“As we gear up for the elections this fall, we’re finding that messages from the candidates have yet to resonate with the IT sector and the challenges and opportunities before the industry,” Todd Thibodeaux, president and chief executive officer, CompTIA, said in a statement. “Despite global economic uncertainties, the United States remains a leader in innovation, particularly in technology. Any candidate hoping to win the support of the industry will need to provide a stronger vision for how we retain and expand our leadership in this growing and vibrant IT sector.”

To TheBlaze, Thibodeaux explained that those in the tech just don’t know where the candidates stand and noted that this industry plays an important part in the employment economy.

CompTIA’s Vice President for Public Advocacy Liz Hyman said this puts both candidates in a decent position when vying for industry support.

“[It] presents the opportunity to both campaigns to address some of these issues,” Hyman said.

These issues according to CompTIA would be supporting investments in the sector; improving the transition for students from high school into trade schools and the transition of established companies from one part of the industry to another; and supporting small businesses that aren’t just start-ups.

A word thrown around in campaigns in conjunction with tech industry is “outsourced.” This is one CompTIA wanted to clarify this year. Thibodeaux said that it is a misconception to think the majority of IT jobs are outsourced. He highlighted critical infrastructure and security as two areas where all the jobs are U.S. based.

“Physical IT infrastructure is not outsourced at all,” Thibodeaux said.

On the flip side, bringing in strong technical minds that aren’t U.S. citizens doesn’t hurt the industry either, Hyman said.

“We are supportive of efforts where you attach a green card to a diploma,” she said, noting support for the H1B visa program. “We want to train and keep them here.”

Thibodeaux said the amount of jobs taken in the U.S. by those holding green cards in the tech industry is small compared to the total workforce numbers.

Overall, Thibodeaux said the benefit of the IT industry is that it is relatively bipartisan.

Bonus: What type of phone you own and what that says about you is often reviewed in polls and surveys. Obama uses a BlackBerry and Romney appears to use an iPhone (although this photo from earlier in the year suggests the higher tech smartphone is a new acquisition for the GOP). What do you think this hints at for each candidate?

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Comments (23)

  • dave88
    Posted on September 6, 2012 at 9:48pm

    Can fake twitter followers vote? Democrats just don’t have the ability to tell the truth.

    Report this comment

    dave88  
  • mrnewly
    Posted on September 6, 2012 at 7:14pm

    If tech savvy will play a part in this outcome Romney / Ryan are toast, I mean really toast. Who ever is running their online operation is very sub par folks. On August 24th, I purchased items after being solicited through email by the Romney campaign. Aside from wanting to display my support for Romney / Ryan, I considered the purchase as one other way to contribute. After placing the order, I did not receive the customary email to confirm the transaction. Now, do you think that the Obama organization would make that error ? I don’t think so. As I said, my order was placed on August 24th, today is September 6th and guess what, nothing has been received from my order. I have communicated the problem in the form of concern through 2 emails to the campaign, neither of which were responded to. Do you think that the Obama organization would make that error ? I don’t think so. Guess what else, I will not contribute further to Romney / Ryan. They are asking to lead this country in a responsible manner and they are too incompetent to run an election campaign operation, looks like McCain 2.0. We already have incompetence in the white house, why replace it with more ? I have decided to stay home on November 6th.

    Report this comment

    mrnewly  
    • rdinsd
      Posted on September 7, 2012 at 12:33am

      This is such a fake post, it’s laughable. But here’s a scenario for you pal and it would fit your “stay home” instead-of-voting mentality:
      - perhaps you received a “fake” Romney/Ryan e-mail meant to deceive you and take you to a sinister website meant to take your money…then
      - you don’t receive your “things”….then
      - you find that this sinister website has emptied your bank account…then
      - you go crazy trying to find the bad guys and waste time from work chasing them…then
      - you lose your job for not showing up…then
      - you run out of money and become depressed…then
      - you become a lazy slob and decide to not look for another job…then
      - you find out you can go on welfare…then
      - you find out you can get food stamps and get them too…then
      - you find out you can get free medical care as well…then
      - YOU’RE OFFICIALLY A DEMOCRAT!!!

      LOL.

      Report this comment

      rdinsd  
  • Baikonur
    Posted on September 6, 2012 at 4:43pm

    Of course people who create and use modern technology prefer a Democrat over a Republican. Republicans are hostile to science, which is a non-starter with educated voters.

    Republicans are not Luddites–they love to reap the benefits of modern science and technology, they do not wish to destroy it all a la Battlestar Galactica finale–they just deny the scientific underpinnings that made it all possible.

    People aren’t stupid. Thgey see the cognitive dissonance in the Repuiblican position toward scientific innovation in general. That is why you see double digit support for President Obama in this poll.

    Report this comment

    Baikonur  
  • BlessedONE333
    Posted on September 6, 2012 at 4:19pm

    “When it comes to social media and an overall online presence, President Barack Obama appears to be leading the charge ”

    WELL NO KIDDING SHERLOCK! I mean you did catch the news story that has HALF of obama’s twitter accounts as fraud right?

    YOU did catch the story where they are PAYING people to attack conservatives online right?

    cyberworld and reality never mix when you are talking about the truth in politics

    Just look at the BS story beck has about the mormon church!!!! totally not addressing any of the valid and real points of contention between the C U L T history/teachings and the truth in the Bible

    THE TRUTH only lives in the hearts who put JESUS first, the rest may stumble on truth by God’s grace and mercy

    Report this comment

    BlessedONE333  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on September 6, 2012 at 3:25pm

    Cool marshmallow gun. I hope Barry reminded the kid “You didn’t build that.”

    Report this comment

    Gonzo  
  • 13Lena
    Posted on September 6, 2012 at 2:46pm

    God when you think about it people who go to face book and twitter are basically uninformed and brain dead.

    Report this comment

    13Lena  
    • justangry
      Posted on September 6, 2012 at 3:04pm

      Why would you say this? I get information way ahead of the media on somethings, and keep in touch with some of the folks I served with. Making such a sweeping generalization makes you sound close-minded and ignorant to be honest.

      Report this comment

      justangry  
    • ragnarb
      Posted on September 6, 2012 at 3:35pm

      Or get their info from Comedy Central and HBO!!!

      Report this comment

      ragnarb  
  • TRILO
    Posted on September 6, 2012 at 2:08pm

    SOPA died because so many people and internet agencies contacted their representatives concerned over privacy rights. Unfortunately, CISPA (Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act) OVERWHELMINGLY passed the REPUBLICAN house! Why is this not being discussed in this article??? CISPA is worse than SOPA! Why, because the likes of Facebook, Microsoft, cell phone companies all climbed on board due to the immunity given to them. Effectively this law overrides all federal, state civil and criminal laws regarding privacy. This law allows internet companies the ability to share, if they desire, user information WITHOUT a warrant to the federal government, law enforcement or other entity. It also gives immunity to those same companies against civil lawsuits should a person’s information be given to the gov’t and it was a false allegation.

    While the law does not “require” these companies to share the information, we have seen in recent months how government and law enforcement agencies have increased their warrant-less requests for cell phone records and how often the cell phone companies have complied.

    This is a direct assault on personal freedom of speech and privacy. ANY republican who voted for this or NDAA will NEVER get another one of my votes,ever. Paul Ryan included! As a matter of fact, after the manipulated rules changes at the RNC, I am not sure I can vote for any republican ever again. This country is screwed b/c neither party stands for liberty or f

    Report this comment

    TRILO  
  • Al J Zira
    Posted on September 6, 2012 at 2:03pm

    “We are supportive of efforts where you attach a green card to a diploma,” she said, noting support for the H1B visa program. “We want to train and keep them here.”

    Yeah, right! If someone goes to college in this country all a company has to do is wait until the senior year to see if the student has any potential at all and apply for a green card. I believe it’s a $1000 to apply and get preferential treatment, which the company could front if they believe in the student that much, and allow the process to take its course. Since the student would already have a student visa it takes about 3-6 months to get the green card. They would have it by the time they graduate.

    Also, since when has Obama shown any ability to grow a business sector? He’s great at regulating something to death, or giving out funds to someone that’s donated big bucks or votes for his cause, but grow the IT sector? Not gonna happen.

    One more thing: in regards to SOPA, if I’m reading this right then the IT community is in favor of the bill? If so, then is the statement that one candidate could take the lead in support from the IT community a bribe to the one that shows support? Isn’t that nice?

    Report this comment

    Al J Zira  
    • TheLizard
      Posted on September 6, 2012 at 3:11pm

      You must be reading it wrong, then, because the industry is vehemently OPPOSED to SOPA, PIPA, ACTA, and everything like them.

      The “industry” that pushes for them is the MPAA (big Hollywood) and RIAA (Big Label Music). These guys want to control CONTENT on the Internet, ostensibly because they think piracy is costing them money (just like they tried to ban the VCR and cassette recorders, even though these technologies benefited them in the end), and also because it is a threat to their business model, which makes a lot of money by controlling the distribution channel. When musicians and small film makers can distribute their own works without signing contracts with a big label or movie studio, it represents competition.

      So that’s the purpose of SOPA and the like – limiting competition and favoring the big media companies.

      Report this comment

      TheLizard  
  • Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
    Posted on September 6, 2012 at 1:31pm

    Obama opposed SOPA/PIPA but sure didn’t mind the WH internet kill switch right? Why bother with regulating when you can just turn the whole thing off?

    As for Romney, he opposes it…as written. It’s too strong. Of course it was written by a REPUBLICAN. Of course Ryan supported it before he opposed it. Who’d have thunk that one?

    Report this comment

    Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve  
  • jackact
    Posted on September 6, 2012 at 1:27pm

    Yes, the brainless (public school indoctrinated) anti-social youth of our country who overly depend on this medium are happily twittering themselves into a dark corner.
    How sad.
    Public school education + social networking = a moron.

    Report this comment

    jackact  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on September 6, 2012 at 1:23pm

    While the social media may go either way with this election; there are many people who are declaring the elections already decided against Obama.

    Do not forget the elections will also be challenged:
    In the SCOTUS – five activist justices gave us Obamacare.
    In the Senate at confirmation of Electorial College – Senate controlled by Reid
    Nullification of election results – by Obama directly if he is defeated.

    This mess will not be over until Romney is sworn into office and Obama leaves; preferably in cuffs for his many crimes.

    Report this comment

    Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
      Posted on September 6, 2012 at 1:33pm

      It’s not who votes that counts, it’s who counts the votes. SEIU, voting machines, and lacking voter fraud laws…nah, this thing is far from over.

      Report this comment

      Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve  
    • FEMALL
      Posted on September 6, 2012 at 2:27pm

      With the ‘means justify the ends’ crowd you better believe it.

      Report this comment

      FEMALL  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on September 6, 2012 at 2:30pm

      Many Republican SoS’s were elected into offices in 2010. I am hoping that puts somewhat of a kibosh on the cheating and ballot stuffing.

      Report this comment

      Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • kaydeebeau
    Posted on September 6, 2012 at 1:22pm

    I think the gap is because most Conservatives have real lives rather than “virtual” lives like the leftists

    Report this comment

    kaydeebeau  
    • taxpro4u03
      Posted on September 6, 2012 at 2:02pm

      Hm – Virtual reality {QE3 — ‘student loans,’ etc} seems appealing — and ‘real.’ — So are fuel prices, food prices, utility bills, housing costs…. It’s like telling your two year old… “I really, really REALLY mean it this time….” — Most of us have a general understanding of NATURAL LAW of cause and effect by age FIVE. …If/then… Calling a lamb’s tail a ‘leg’ don’t CHANGE the fact it’s tail is not a leg…. Life is NOT a David Copperfield show – although Harry Houdini IS drowning and we all know it…:-) I’m reminded of the Richard Pryor/Jackie Gleason Movie, The Toy — “Shhooooosh…yyyer ssscaarin’ the phish away…”

      Report this comment

      taxpro4u03  

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