The Dynamics of Digital Communications in Alberta Elections

February 26, 2012 8:36 pm 2 comments

This morning the leader of the Alberta Liberal Party, Dr. Raj Sherman sent out a tweet, (shown below) that was re-tweeted quickly.  

The subject matter itself wasn’t breaking news, in fact, Sherman was referencing articles and content from 2011 with content from Wikileaks from as far back as 2006.  However, I realized that the Alberta Liberal, in full campaign mode is attempting to put the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta on the defensive.  Of course, what else would you expect from one of the opposition parties, especially one with a new leader who’s looking for any edge possible. 

Having said that, here’s what’s interesting about digital communications that never go away.  Today,courtesy of Sherman many people are seeing this information regarding electricity transmission for the first time.  Communicating effectively on platforms like Twitter is all about timing and relevancy.  One might say the exact same thing about communicating during an election campaign.  

I decided to put my own tweet out about this story.       

This was retweeted and the content will continue to play a role in the upcoming election, and the critical question will be how well the Alberta PC Party campaigns are prepared for what is sure to be an even more intense barrage.  This will put all that election college time to the test.  It will be interesting to observe the content strategy of all of the political parties as March comes into view.  Do you respond to a tweet like Raj Sherman’s?  By this time, all campaigns should definitely have discussed the critical issues that will almost certainly be discussed during the campaign, and have their content plan and crisis plans ready to go.  If not, a day like today is simply a small taste of what’s to come.  This will put you under pressure each day to make decisions on what or if to respond.  From a spectating voter’s perspective, it will be interesting to watch these dynamics play out in yet another election.  

As an aside, a couple people responded to me today focusing on the date of the information.  Sure that’s one element, and the way I wrote the tweet certainly suggested a “breaking news” sense of urgency.  In retrospect I could have put the word “again” at the end to clear that up but I was about to run out the door.  Instead I decided to do this blog post to expand on my thought process.

There was also some PC response today on Twitter.  Interestingly, there wasn’t much traction for these responses.  A key lesson is that it’s always easier to attack than defend which is the position of the current governing party.  I suspect the majority of the time it will be one of two types of responses, fact clarification and be nice.  This of course is less sensational, and means that it might receive less play, as was the case today. 

 

Around the same time, another tweet originally by The Sun’s Rick Bell refers to an article originally written yesterday on the .05 law including comments from Alberta’s Solicitor General.  This was the second issue on the go today on Twitter that the current PC Government has to contend with. 

There will be many different issues that all Parities will want to have front and centre.  Anything to get attention and possibly votes.  

Speaking of getting attention. One thing is certain, the uncertainty of whether Stephen Carter will return to twitter during the campaign after this tweet.   

Then the apology.  

 

What do you think?  Is this going to be the best election thus far for interesting digital communications?  And by interesting, one might infer that I mean realtime mud-slinging, mishaps and political missteps?  Will one or more parties be more innovative and responsive than their counterparts? 

Will one or more campaigns step up with a clear plan, a great digital content strategy, and execute the debate effectively?  

Mud-slinging by the way IS a strategy, although I think all the political parties, the PC Party, Wildrose, Liberals, NDP, and Alberta Party should be capable of more. Don’t you? 

  • Mspear

    Hate to say it Walter, but with Tweets like Wikileaks dropping a bomb, it is misleading and obfiscation in politics as usual whether it is digital or from the election podium.
    As for whether this will mark a time when we see a great or clear digital strategy emerging during the impending campaign, no, don’t see that either. Alberta is far too conservative in PR and Comm strategies and our political landscape and campaigns don’t exactly turn heads.
    We may see digital strategies better integrated and not simply a piece bolted on to the campaign machine but that’s about it.
    Having spent some time in the last couple of years talking to government workshops about digital tools in general and social media in particular, I think we have a long way to go to see some truely innovative digtial strategy at the provincial level.
    But does it really matter ?
    Misdirection whether from the podium or the social network is still bad form. Twitter replaces the well rehearsed sound bite when done properly. ‘Likes’ on a blog post or a Facebook page are not much more than a popularity poll.
    It takes more than a keyboard, smartphone, or,tablet to turn politics into something new and sparkly.

    Mike

    • http://twitter.com/fusedlogic Walter Schwabe

      Mike, my intent in the tweet wasn’t to confuse but to focus on the importance of the material.  Even though the date of the article in question might have been from 2011, the information in the article and support material and how it was originally released  is of a serious nature.  As I said earlier in a tweet, I don’t think the PC’s want this issue to gain any more momentum which is why I thought it had significance.  Several people read the article today and claimed they hadn’t read it before…I suspect there are many out there in the same boat which is who Sherman was looking to influence.   

      With respect to innovative strategy or lack thereof in provincial politics, one can hope, and I’m not sure there’s anything exactly “new and sparkly” about provincial politics. 

      Thanks for commenting.