Thomas Friedman

There is an iron law in U.S. politics: The party that most quickly absorbs and adopts the latest technology, dominates politics. FDR dominated the radio and fireside chat, JFK televised debates. Republicans talk radio, and Karl Rove direct mail and computerized databases. The next technological political model will revolve around the power of community and individual uploading. In this model, the public officeholder will no longer be the one who talks to the many or tries to listen to the many. Rather, he or she will become a hub of connectivity for the many to work with the many, creating networks of public advocates to identify problems, solve problems, and get behind candidates who get it.