new media in politics

“Any politician who fails to recognize that we are in a post-party era with a new political ecology in which connecting like minds and forming a movement is so much easier will not be around long."

Andrew Rasiej said this in a recent New York Times article, How Obama Tapped into Social Networks' Power.
As the article said, Jefferson had newspapers, FDR had radio, JFK understood TV, and Howard Dean used the Web to raise political money. Now, Obama can successfully claim social networking media. Recently named Marketer of the Year, it is difficult to argue that Obama's campaign was anything short of genius. He and his staff truly understood the voters and connected with them on an innovative new level. A level that illustrated to them that he was forward-thinking technology-wise, that he was relatable because he liked the same applications they liked (from text messaging to Twitter), and that he cared about connecting to them as individuals. He's friends with important individuals like Marc Andreessen (Facebook!), he sends them personalized texts, and he even has his own ringtone. According to young adults, Obama could be the epitome of popular.
This strategy very likely put him in the Oval Office, so now what?
But will Obama's popularity with his oh-so-loyal fan base chalk up to just a passing fad? Like so many other things made popular by YouTube or viral videos?
Or will he maintain these relationships? If so, what does that mean to the White House, traditionally a place that values confidentiality in the name of things such as national security? What will this new transparancy mean, not only to the way people view the White House in general, but to how a president lives his life? Supporters are going to expect the same level of committment to personalization from Obama, otherwise they may feel neglected. While he's in the middle of a campaign, he texts them, but now that he's gotten where he's going, they don't hear from him again. Silly, but it may leave many feeling cold.
Not only his campaign, but the overall experience that the pervasiveness of media creates puts added stress on a president. They are constantly sharing each moment of their life with millions, some who are eager to critique. Everywhere they turn, there is a reporter, a broadcaster, a blogger, a YouTube-er. Anyone can disseminate any kind of information to thousands instantly.

Rasiej authored another chilling quote in the article:
"Yes, we have met Big Brother, the one who is always watching. And Big Brother is us.”