Rallying on Facebook

By Gabrielle Russon

Don’t forget “George W. Bush is My Homeboy.” Then there’s that one, “Ralph Nader is My Hero.” And, of course, “Sen. Barack Obama is the Man.”

These Facebook groups may sound quirky as they bash and pay tribute to politicians, but presidential candidates certainly cater to audiences that use the social networking Web site.

Take Thursday’s MTV/MySpace presidential forum, for instance, or CNN’s YouTube debate held in July. Now, candidates also have their own Facebook accounts with thousands of “friends,” Web sites and blogs to attract the technology-savvy generation.

“There’s so many new technologies available,” said Mark Lopez, research director for CIRCLE, or the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. “That wasn’t the case in 2004.”

Some Facebook political groups have close to 10,000 members. But has it become the modern equivalent of hammering a sign in your front yard and proclaiming to the world who your choice candidate is? Or does it produce tangible results in politics?

“It can be an entry point for more involvement,” said Lopez, adding that many learn online how to volunteer for campaigns.

He pointed out the volunteer rate was 15 percent higher for people, ages 18 to 25, who read news online at least once a week, as opposed to those who didn’t, according to the 2006 National Civic and Political Health Survey.

Taylor Birkey, who joined a Facebook group to support Fred Thompson, disagrees, saying the Web site doesn’t make much difference in the political arena.

“I didn’t get the sense from Facebook that the people that take part in these kinds of groups are really serious about being active,” said Birkey, a 24-year-old Chicago interior design firm manager. “It doesn’t really make anyone put their beliefs on the line.”

Birkey said Facebook was better at bringing like-minded people together, like a forum.