| ign="center"> | | | | society. It also helps people to see the different sides |
| Many political experts predicted that the upcoming US | | | | and opinions on major issues as candidates would |
| presidential race will be different from previous | | | | often takes different sides to a certain issue. |
| elections. One of the factors that contributes to the | | | | However, online videos can be a double edged sword |
| uniqueness of the 2008 election is the growing | | | | for political campaigns. The careers of many politicians |
| involvement of new media especially the Internet. | | | | have been damaged by videos posted on the web. |
| The World-Wide-Web is a significant factor in the | | | | Most of these videos are posted by groups who want |
| upcoming presidential race. And the candidates and | | | | to destroy a candidate's reputation. These videos |
| their campaigns have recognize the opportunity that | | | | highlights a candidate's weaknesses and mistakes in |
| the web can offer. Nowadays, every candidate owns | | | | the hope of discouraging voters from supporting a |
| a website which is used to gather monetary support. | | | | certain candidate. |
| The web also serves as a medium to advertise the | | | | The most damaging web videos are probably the |
| candidates and the core message of their campaigns. | | | | âflip flopâ videos. A politician who |
| For example, Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, | | | | makes contradicting statements on major political |
| was able to harness the fund raising potential of the | | | | issues such as abortion, social security or immigration is |
| Internet. He was able to raise millions of dollars for his | | | | caught on video which then spreads like wild fire on |
| campaign via donations made on the web. His website | | | | the web. For instance, John McCain said on live TV |
| used campaign ads and messages in the form of | | | | that he will not allow the privatization of social security. |
| online videos to spread his message of change and to | | | | However, political enthusiasts soon posted an older |
| encourage people to contribute to his campaign. With | | | | online video showing McCain saying that he is in favor |
| the help of the money from online donations, Obama | | | | of privatizing social security. These types of videos |
| was able to upset Hillary Clinton and became the | | | | can wreck havoc on a candidates campaign since |
| Democratic Nominee. | | | | they can spread very quickly. |
| Of course, online political videos are not just used to | | | | The 2008 presidential campaign has shown that the |
| gather funds for a candidate's campaign. These videos | | | | Internet and online videos can have an significant |
| can also carry messages and ads that help voters | | | | impact on the polls as well as on the results. A |
| make their choice. Candidates use online videos to tell | | | | candidate who can harness this campaign tool can |
| voters about their plans on various political issues and | | | | gather funds and supporters. These online political |
| problems. The supporters of these candidates also | | | | videos can also be used as weapons for attacking the |
| post their own political videos to support and gain more | | | | campaigns of candidates. It's obvious that any politician |
| popularity for their candidates. | | | | who neglects to exploit this tool while have a severe |
| These videos can be also used to educate users and | | | | handicap. |
| encourage them to participate actively in the election | | | | Joem Hughes writes articles about mobile phone video |
| process. They can learn about the candidates and the | | | | reviews and political videos. He hopes that he can |
| progress of the election through the Internet and online | | | | contribute useful information on gaining attention to the |
| political videos. The election is one way of educating | | | | various political news videos that educate people on |
| people on the different issues that are going on in | | | | the 2008 presidential election. |