New Media: The Future of Politics in Watsonville?

I know, I have been MIA for a bit and it has not been the best time to be gone in the political world. The past few weeks have been crazy for the Republican Party: Mitt Romney has official announced he is running for president, Sarah Palin has been doing a historical tour of the United States with her family and “Weinergate” has graced the headline on every newspaper across America.

And in Watsonville? It seems as if it has been all quiet on the home front. The last City Council meeting went smoother than expected with the proposed public safety cuts that City Manager Carlos Palacios had given to the council. However at the end, Mayor Daniel Dodge had a little slip-up and proceeded to go on a rant against Councilman Martinez.

Mayor Dodge told Council Martinez “I am sick of you grandstanding…. Your e-mails….. Your blog.”

First, at least Daniel knows what a blog is and is reading them. Second, I hope this blog gets a little recognition at the next Watsonville City Council like Councilman Martinez’s blog, The Watsonville Fishing Report, did. However, most importantly Daniel Dodge proved, with his above statement, that many politicians and candidates are not embracing New Media like they should be.

Little by little Elected Officials are starting to grasp New Media. Many of them have Facebook pages, websites and Twitter accounts. Yet, most do not have a blog and if they do a staffer is writing posts for them. However, hopefully soon politicians, like Mayor Dodge, will understand that a well-written blog will help them connect with constituents on a daily basis. 

As many of your know there are not many ways you can currently interact with a politician. Elected officials are usually not accessible. However, when an elected has a blog and allows constituents to interact with him through the blog, people can finally manage to get their voice heard.  

The blog posts are in the elected official’s voice, it is exactly as if a voter or constituent were meeting them in person. They get his ideas, his feelings, his humor, his overall attitude. The thing that makes the Watsonville Fishing Report so amazing is Councilman Martinez posts his personal feelings and personal comments. This is not about a political speech that has been reviewed by 10 people, it is about what Emilio Martinez can actually write himself, directly, to the people who want to read him and start talking to him.

More elected officials should embrace New Media and start blogging themselves. As blogs get more and more popular, elected officials will learn that they are the best way to interact with the people whom they represent. Therefore instead of bashing Councilman Martinez for his blog, Mayor Dodge should start one himself. I would recommend naming it “No Introductions Needed."