Some thoughts on ‘The Change We Need’ and inspiration from Barack Obama

March 21, 2009 in UK Politics, US Politics
Tags: barack obama, campaigning, david cameron, fanian society, gordon brown, labour, labour party, nick anstead, nick clegg, obama, political campaigning, the change we need, will straw, yes we can

The thrust of the final chapter of Nick Anstead and Will Straw’s ‘The Change We Need‘ is ostensibly about the need to open up the political process – but what this really means is that the Labour Party need to relax their controlling instincts.
They show how technological advances and the resulting social changes were utilised [...]

At the Launch of LabourList with Mandelson, Prescott and Draper

February 13, 2009 in UK Politics
Tags: alexander, blogging, campaiging, draper, facebook, hencke, labour, labourlist, mandelson, new media, obama, politics, prescott, twitter

With Peter Mandelson, Douglas Alexander and Derek Draper featuring alongside a surprise appearance from John Prescott, LabourList’s launch was always going to be entertaining. Yesterday’s ‘Blogger’s Breakfast’ brought together those at the heart of Labour’s approach to the internet, from high-profile party officials to grass roots activists and left-leaning sympathisers.

Called ‘New Labour, New [...]

What’s The Point Of The Presidential Debate?

October 16, 2008 in US Politics
Tags: obama, mccain, republican, democrat, boston globe, new york times, washinton post, newsnight, more4, presidental debate, GOP

I missed the final presidential debate but checked all the US papers first thing this morning and watched the selected highlights online. Here’s a mini round-up.
The New York Times said:
Senator John McCain used the final debate … to raise persistent and pointed questions about Senator Barack Obama’s character, judgment and policy prescriptions in a [...]