As the 2012 presidential election draws near, presidential candidates and politicians are campaigning digitally as well as physically. For many candidates including Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, the internet is acting as an integral part of their campaign. From campaign websites to social networking, politicians have found a new method of interacting with their constituency. These campaign websites offer a wealth of information to the potential voter from personal blogs to where one stands on the issues. Individuals are also able to donate money to a candidate (if so inclined) through these websites. Social networking has also become an important tool during election time, allowing candidates to appeal to a broader audience. Jeremy Herb of The Star Tribune wrote in a recent article:
"From the rise of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to the use of "geo-targeting" through mobile phones and search engines, 2012 presidential candidates have more powerful tools to track down supporters and keep them engaged"
Tim Pawlentey announced that he was running for president via facebook in 2011. Mitt Romney announced his candidacy over a tweet, and Obama used digital video which could be viewed online to announce his running for re-election. This is the age where online campaigning is as critical to the race as touring the country and participating in televised debates. Beth Fouhy of The Huffington Post calls the 2012 election "The Social Network, presidential campaign edition." Debates over twitter and courses of action posted on facebook simply mark the beginning of what certainly looks like a digital election.