# Republicans don't (or don't want to) "get" the internet **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 2, 2007, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175 "2007-08-02T19:50:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/21 "2007-08-03T17:08:04Z")
I don’t know if it means anything or not (I’m sure some will point to some kind of bias), but I’ve noticed that on [FactCheck.org](http://FactCheck.org) while the Dem’s have been caught in a few exaggerations with the facts (of course FactCheck, as they say, can’t judge some of the predictive promises candidates are making), by far the majority of the mis-information SEEMS to be coming from Republican candidates. And I wonder if that is because they are less aware than the Dem’s that sites like FactCheck ARE checking out (and posting) articles that look at the claims made and the facts presented? It just seems to me (anecdotally) that it IS the case that for whatever the reason the Republicans just don’t get this internet thing…or how many people are using it to do a lot more homework on the candidates and their claims. -XT ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/22 "2007-08-03T17:13:11Z")
[QUOTE=msmith537] It’s like an electronic letter…or a quiet phone call [/QUOTE] Since I prefer a clacky IBM-AT keyboard and avoid talking on the phone my internet use is louder than a quiet phone call. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/23 "2007-08-03T17:25:09Z")
While it’s tempting to conclude that the Democrats are embracing the Internet because they like freedom and democracy and Republicans don’t [I kid], that probably isn’t what’s going on here. The Democrats do use the 'net, but they’re constantly using it to try to get people “on message” - so they’re not encouraging a wide variety of opinions, in that respect. Remember the bloggers John Edwards fired or ‘let go’ because of some of their comments about abortion? For the most part, it’s probably a generational thing and a difference in the makeup of the party’s bases. ---
**Author:** ![recessiveMeme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@recessiveMeme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recessiveMeme)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/24 "2007-08-03T17:33:08Z")
[[QUOTE=washingtonpost.com](http://QUOTE=washingtonpost.com)] Referring to the video of a snowman asking the Democratic candidates about global warming, Romney quipped, “I think the presidency ought to be held at a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman.” [/quote] Perhaps a brightly colored sock puppet of some variety would be better suited to engage the POTUS? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/25 "2007-08-03T17:33:46Z")
[QUOTE=xtisme] I don’t know if it means anything or not (I’m sure some will point to some kind of bias), but I’ve noticed that on [FactCheck.org](http://FactCheck.org) while the Dem’s have been caught in a few exaggerations with the facts (of course FactCheck, as they say, can’t judge some of the predictive promises candidates are making), by far the majority of the mis-information SEEMS to be coming from Republican candidates. And I wonder if that is because they are less aware than the Dem’s that sites like FactCheck ARE checking out (and posting) articles that look at the claims made and the facts presented? It just seems to me (anecdotally) that it IS the case that for whatever the reason the Republicans just don’t get this internet thing…or how many people are using it to do a lot more homework on the candidates and their claims. -XT [/QUOTE] I dunno, you’d think they’d have learned after that whole “Welcome to America, macaca!” Showed up on youtube and brought down George Allen. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/26 "2007-08-03T17:36:39Z")
The Dems are embacing the internet because the Corporations have taken over most of the other media. The internets is in their sights though. The internets is a series of tubes which graft pours through. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/27 "2007-08-03T17:53:39Z")
[QUOTE=recessiveMeme] Perhaps a brightly colored sock puppet of some variety would be better suited to engage the POTUS? [/QUOTE] One puppet talking to another puppet would certainly appeal to my sense of symmetry. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/28 "2007-08-03T18:28:01Z")
[QUOTE=gonzomax] The internets is a series of tubes which graft pours through. [/QUOTE] No, no, no! You’re confusing the medium with the messenger here. \*\*[Ted Stevens](http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070801-1624-wst-alaska-corruption.html) \*\* is the series of tubes through which graft pours. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/29 "2007-08-03T18:28:17Z")
[QUOTE=Zoe] I told you not to mess with the hippies. Couldn’t leave well enough alone, could ya? [/QUOTE] This is an unintentionally important point… My parents and my wife’s parents are tie-dyed-and-true hippies who have been incredibly powerful activists and organizers for various issues in their day. As far as computers and the internet are concerned, however, they are functionally illiterate. Many of this generation who could still positively effect change are simply unequipped to do so. My folks still have the “make some signs and sit on the court steps” approach to communication and protest, and it simply is ineffectual in today’s world. This is how Bill O’Reilly, Fox News, et al are so incredibly effective at “riling up the old folks” in their medium–older baby boomers don’t have the skills to seek alternative viewpoints, or even know how to challenge a viewpoint and seek out others for their cause. By painting the internet and blogs as some fearsome threat, the technologically ignorant are kept so. So, my parents and many others, sit festering in frustration, fear, and intimidation of the internet. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/30 "2007-08-03T19:31:06Z")
> [@](#): > > Referring to the video of a snowman asking the Democratic candidates about global warming, Romney quipped, "I think the presidency ought to be held at a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman. I don’t know why he’s worried. A politician never answers the question he’s asked, he answers the question he wishes was asked. And if you’re going to ignore someone, who cares if it’s a snowman or Sam Donaldson. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/31 "2007-08-03T19:33:20Z")
[QUOTE=Robot Arm] I don’t know why he’s worried. A politician never answers the question he’s asked, he answers the question he wishes was asked. And if you’re going to ignore someone, who cares if it’s a snowman or Sam Donaldson. [/QUOTE] There’s a difference? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/32 "2007-08-03T19:41:49Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] There’s a difference? [/QUOTE] The snowman has the warmer personality of the two. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/33 "2007-08-03T19:51:50Z")
Personally, I think it would have been more funny if the guy had dressed up like a strawman… (Wonder if any of the candidates would have gotten the joke) -XT ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/34 "2007-08-03T20:04:39Z")
[QUOTE=Robot Arm] I don’t know why he’s worried. A politician never answers the question he’s asked, he answers the question he wishes was asked. And if you’re going to ignore someone, who cares if it’s a snowman or Sam Donaldson. [/QUOTE] This points to one of the two reasons why I was less than wowed by the youtube debate (the other being that the videos were selected by CNN. And I guess there was a third reason, which was that I didn’t watch the thing). What I would _love_ to see would be some variant of a “town hall” format debate in which the questioners said, “At the end of your answer to my question, I will give you a thumbs up or a thumbs down based on whether you actually addressed my question or not.” Not that I especially trust the average schmoe to be a master of rhetorical theory, but I think that knowing the camera would return to the average schmoe after the question might put the fear of god back into the candidates. Also, do the [factcheck.org](http://factcheck.org) people have a pundit gig on any network post-debates? That would be awesome. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/35 "2007-08-03T20:12:24Z")
[QUOTE=Left Hand of Dorkness] Also, do the [factcheck.org](http://factcheck.org) people have a pundit gig on any network post-debates? That would be awesome. [/QUOTE] Not that I’ve heard of. But its the first place I go to look after a debate (and I generally check the site for updates about once a week regardless)…its one of my favorite web sites. (edit: If anyone is interested, [here](http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/dems_face_youtube_interrogators.html) is their article on the youTube debates) -XT ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/36 "2007-08-03T20:12:30Z")
GOP tries to do Youtube: [RNC Releases New Web Video: “Circus”](http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=7121), and makes a cartoonishly bad video. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/37 "2007-08-03T20:24:01Z")
Yeah, that was pretty bad. It sort of underscores the thread I’d say… -XT ---
**Author:** ![I\_m\_Ron\_Burgundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9fc29f/32.png) [@I\_m\_Ron\_Burgundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_m_Ron_Burgundy)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/38 "2007-08-03T20:28:00Z")
[QUOTE=Left Hand of Dorkness] What I would _love_ to see would be some variant of a “town hall” format debate in which the questioners said, “At the end of your answer to my question, I will give you a thumbs up or a thumbs down based on whether you actually addressed my question or not.” Not that I especially trust the average schmoe to be a master of rhetorical theory, but I think that knowing the camera would return to the average schmoe after the question might put the fear of god back into the candidates. [/QUOTE] They did this a bit, actually. Some of the questioners were in attendance and were interviewed afterwards. Mostly they said no. I’ve seen some ‘gutsy’ TV interviewers request an actual answer after the politician has done their spiel, but they usually get the same non-answer. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/39 "2007-08-03T20:33:15Z")
[QUOTE=I’m Ron Burgundy?] They did this a bit, actually. Some of the questioners were in attendance and were interviewed afterwards. Mostly they said no. [/QUOTE] I’d like it to happen **immediately** after the question, while the debate is still going on. On the one hand, it’ll put the questioner on the spot; on the other, if the questioner gives a thumbs down, it’ll look pretty bad for the candidate, and a thumbs-up will likewise look pretty good. When the questioner is interviewed after the debate, it’s going to be much less important to the candidate’s perceived performance in the debate. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2007, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175/40 "2007-08-03T20:38:09Z")
[QUOTE=Left Hand of Dorkness] I’d like it to happen **immediately** after the question, while the debate is still going on. On the one hand, it’ll put the questioner on the spot; on the other, if the questioner gives a thumbs down, it’ll look pretty bad for the candidate, and a thumbs-up will likewise look pretty good. When the questioner is interviewed after the debate, it’s going to be much less important to the candidate’s perceived performance in the debate. Daniel [/QUOTE] That’s exactly what they did for a couple of questions (i.e. asked immediately if the question was answered, not after the debate). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-dont-or-dont-want-to-get-the-internet/414175.md?page=3)