Maine Gubernatorial first -- to my knowledge -- to PROPERLY use mobile in campaign

Link: Maine Gubernatorial Race Goes Mobile | Personal Democracy Forum

Now this is exciting.

RARELY does anyone running for office ever give more than a cursory glance to mobile technology. Generally speaking, mobile technology is an ‘also ran’, deployed by people with exceedingly white teeth wanting to give the impression that they’re actually interested in anything their citizens think.

Well, kudos to Governor Pat LaMarche and her team for actually, properly, seriously using mobile technology in their election campaign. Have a read of the following text posted by Justin Oberman — I’ve cut and paste it all here:

In what I view as the first serious use of mobile technology in an American election (Edwards, Ford and Schwarzenegger have the technology but have really not used it to any great extent), Green Independent candidate for Governor Pat LaMarche has launched a major mobile campaign a week before the election. Pat has already gained a reputation for technological innovation in Maine for her Online Town Hall and a Website that the Library Of Congress has already designated as a “historic ” site worth preserving in the federal archives. The mobile part of her campaign officially launches today in a very interesting way. As of this morning students and citizens of Maine will be ask to text the word “Pat” and a topic (example: Pat Health Care) to the shotcode 30644. Later today Pat will be speaking at the University of Maine in Orono where her speech will be based on the top three topics that students and Maine citizens send to her via text message. Very interactive, very neat.

He’s not wrong. It’s wickedly good. I’ve been suggesting this to an array of British politicians for years. Seriously. Years. None have been interested. Why? Well, because, it’s risky. You might end up having to talk about ‘issshooos’ (‘issues’) that you don’t want to address — but that are in the minds of voters. You might end up actually having to *have* a dialog. Heaven forbid. 😉

I couldn’t understand why the politicians and political minds I spoke to weren’t up for doing what Pat’s doing. You see, given that she’s able to get a few thousand subscribers, she can stand there, thumping the podium at Maine University, and rather accurately state that she’s listening. And reacting. This is the future of politics.

Pat also will also be using her skill as a professional Radio personality to receive questions via text message in upcoming radio interviews throughout the week.

Excellent. Bring it on. Fantastic. I hope to see some real engagement!

Of course, sending a topic or question to the shotcode will send a text message back to user asking them to opt in to what the campaign is calling “Pat’s Immediate Response Team” the purpose of which is to send out the latest insider news, call to actions, campaign ringtones and tips on how you can help Pat win.

Absolutely phenomenal.

Opting into the text message also signs you up to receive important Get Out The Vote reminders on the day of the election (of which will include information on where to go to vote). The text will also ask users to send a text message to at least 5 people reminding them to go vote.

This makes total sense.

Of course, users can just text the word “Pat” to 30644 if all they want to do is opt in for the Immediate Response Team.
The mobile part of the campaign is aimed mostly at Maines young voters and as of the press release last night they have already have 135 people signed up.

Bodes well. Bodes very well indeed. I’m going to see if I can closely follow what goes on with Pat’s campaign — I’m terifically excited at seeing the medium getting used correctly. I haven’t seen anything like this level of true engagement yet in either America or the United Kingdom. Bring it on.