This is the first in a series of articles that I plan to write about Joe Lieberman and his run for the Senate as an Independent. I have a lot of respect for Joe; I don't always agree with him but I do believe that he truly believes in his agenda. I also support his candidacy as an Independent, or to be more specific, the Connecticut for Lieberman party. Our political system allows him to do so.

I also like to study how leaders adapt to and change when they lose a major election. Sometimes they go on to bigger and better things. Some learn that they can make a difference away from elected life.

At the moment, the official campaign website is being redeveloped. However, Mr. Lieberman explains why he is staying in the race. Here is part of the text,

"I've been a leader in the Senate on strengthening our national security, protecting and creating jobs, stopping global warming and finding cures to diseases like cancer and diabetes.

And I'm staying because I want to help end the war in Iraq as quickly and successfully as possible, in a way that brings stability to the Middle East and doesn't leave us even more vulnerable to terrorist attacks."

During this campaign season I am also following Wikipedia entries about the candidates. The Lieberman entry is excellently written with the proper citations.

I think this will be an interesting race and an interesting story to follow.

Sincerely,
Alan

There is an interesting article in today's Sunday Boston Globe. Its title is, Politicians See Facebook as Portal. It begins by mentioning that potential presidential candidate John Kerry visited the main office of Facebook. Facebook is an online directory that connects people through social networks.

Politicians want to use the social web to reach the twenty-something generation.

"It feels awesome to have you as a facebook friend!" wrote one University of Tampa student on the "wall" of Senator Evan Bayh's Facebook page. Bayh, an Indiana Democrat and 2008 presidential hopeful, jumped the queue and started his own page months before the political advertisements officially begin.

The 50-year-old senator's listed interests include "Graeter's Black Raspberry Chip Ice Cream," "Apple Pie," and "Football" -- not to mention "War on Terror."

A spokesman for Bayh's All-America PAC, which runs the profile, said a staff member oversees all content on the page. "It's updated pretty regularly," the spokesman, Jonathan Kott, said. "The senator feels it's a way for him to reach out to college students."

Will social networks and the social web play an important role in politics? Click here to read one point of view.

Sincerely,
Alan

I'm a fan of Wikipedia. I like the concept. Collaboration and social media interest me.

Initially, I was surprised when I saw Wikipedia entries for the gubernatorial candidates. After a moment, I thought "why not". The Web offers a variety of techniques for communication. That is what the Web is about, communication.

The following candidates have Wikipedia entries.

• Chris Gabrieli (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Gabrieli)
• Kerry Healey (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Healey)
• Christy Mihos (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christy_Mihos)
• Deval Patrick (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deval_Patrick)
• Tom Reilly (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Reilly)
• Grace Ross (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Ross)

I find this to be an interesting use of the Web. If these biographies are updated during the campaign, they can provide a comprehensive listing of each campaign. For writers and researchers, it provides a one stop place for information, a bit easier than searching throughout a multitude of newspapers.

But that is also the problem. As a writer and researcher, I am always concerned about the veracity of the facts. Whenever I read an article, I always research the author. Is the author:

• a member of the same party of the candidate
• a member of the campaign staff
• campaign volunteer
• friend, and so on.
  

Just like this blog and blogger, anyone can easily publish on the Web. Always check your sources. I'm sure campaign staff or campaign-friendly people wrote each bio of each candidate.

Wikipedia presents another interesting point. Anyone can edit any Wikipedia article. This opens the door for mis-information. It allows the opportunity for negative campaigning at a whole new level.

As a frequent user of Wikipedia, and casual contributor, I know the Wikipedia volunteers are very good at policing entries and removing false information. With political entries, I think the Wikipedia volunteers and readers will have to not only discern the facts, but also discern opinion from fact.

Alvin Toffler (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Toffler) discusses the concept of mis-information in his book PowerShift (www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553292153/sr=1-1/qid=1155404887/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-7842903-7083052?ie=UTF8&s=books).

As with any technology, the user (and reader) must think. Always question and always do your homework. I'm sure some will read and believe whatever they read.

I plan to keep an eye on these Wikipedia entries. It will be interesting to see if they play an important role in the campaign.

Sincerely,
Alan

Introduction

What do the candidates stand for? What are their views on the issues?

In this day and age there is no excuse for not being informed. If you are uninformed it is a choice not a result of not being able to gain access to information.

I am a strong believer in understanding all points of view. It doesn't matter if you are conservative or liberal. If you truly want to understand an issue, a candidate, or who to vote for in an election, do your research.

Please view each candidate's website. I am only publishing a snippet of each viewpoint. Look to their site for the complete picture.

Chris Gabrieli, Democrat

Here are his views from the text on his website.

Kerry Healey, Republican

Here are her views from the text on her website.

Christy Mihos, Independent

Here are his views from the text on his website.

Deval Patrick, Democrat

Here are his views from the text on his website.

Tom Reilly, Democrat

Here are his views from the text on his website.

Grace Ross and the Green-Rainbow Party

Here are her views from the text on her website.