06 Nov 2008

Web 2.0 helps make US presidential history

Pioneering use of Web 2.0 and social networking was one of the secrets behind Barack Obama's election as the 44th US president, it has been suggested.

Internet expert Joe Trippi told ITWorld that the use of Web 2.0 in the Democratic Party candidate's campaign was unfounded and played a significant role in the election of America's first black President.

"I don't think there's any doubt that communication through YouTube and other social networks put him over the top," he said.

Mitch Wagner, an industry expert and writer of the article at ITWorld, suggested that the internet-based network of supporters could play a significant role in President Obama's relationship with Congress.

He believes the people power, provided by internet networking, could help the US President when it comes to getting new legislation through Congress.

"You'll have ten or 15 million networked Americans barging in on the members of Congress telling them to get in line with the programme," Mr Wagner said.

Some 64 per cent of Americans turned out to vote in this year's US presidential election, the highest ever turnout.