White House has probably made the best use of the micro-blogging site Twitter. Be it the Presidential Elections, the clarification of weighty governmental matters or the campaigning for any new bills--the social networking site has been heavily used by the American power centre in disseminating information.
Recently, the United States created history of sort after the US Congress passed the landmark bill to provide medical coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. And while Obama & Co held the fort inside, it was Twitter where the real action was happening. First-hand updates by White House insiders ensured that the world got to know of the bill, straight from the House’s mouth.
President Barack Obama (@BarackObama) led the White House Twitter brigade by tweeting why the health care bill is important for the Americans. Here are some of his tweets:
“I am here for the millions of lives that will be touched and, in some cases, saved, by health insurance reform.”
“I am here for my mother, and all the Americans who are forced to spend time arguing with insurance companies instead of focusing on getting well”
“I need you to help us finish the fight on health reform. Pick up the phone and make your voice heard in Washington.”
“After a year of debate on health reform, it's time for a vote. It's time to make true on our promise to the American people.”
And just after the bill was passed he tweeted, “Yes we can.”
“Tonight’s vote is not a victory for any one party – it is a victory for the American people. Tonight, we answered the call of history.”
“This is a major reform. This is what change looks like.”
Even the White House press secretary Robert Gibbs (@PressSec) joined the gang, buoyed by peer pressure. He kept the world abreast of the proceedings in the White House through his pictures and updates.
“Since Monday, the President has taken part in 92 meetings or phone calls with Members of Congress on health insurance reform…”
“About 40 staff in Roosevelt Room with VP to watch the vote - President walked into the room to sustained applause.”
“President in Oval for congratulations calls...first up Speaker Pelosi...tells her "You've done what no other Speaker has done".”
“President walking to East Room now for statement...what a night...what a journey.”
His deputy Bill Burton (@billburton44) was not far behind. Taking a leaf out of his superior’s book, Burton too turned a good Samaritan on Twitter. He tweeted,
“@PressSec (Robert Gibbs) is using this new medium in a way that gets information out quickly and effectively tracks what is on the minds of our press corps”
Clearly, the White House prefers the 140-character medium over long and winding official press releases. Wonder if India has something to learn by this, as a country that makes a hullabaloo with only one Twitter-lonely politician Shashi Tharoor.
Tharoor has got into many controversies because of his tweets on governmental and social issues. There was a row over Tharoor's tweet when he referred to the airlines’ economy class as cattle class. After kicking up a minor storm with his "cattle class" and "holy cow" remarks on Twitter, there was a new controversy triggered by Tharoor's remarks on India's new visa policy, which also ticked off his superior S M Krishna.
White House chooses Twitter to connect to the world. Let’s just wait for the day when Indian statesmen and ministers also take the same way.
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