Still Learning Online Politics

Have politicians learned from President Obama about the value of the Internet for campaigning? Larry Sabato argued that they haven't learned enough during a speech he gave at the University of Virginia on Sunday.

The U.Va. professor of politics and director of the Center for Politics pointed to the flood of television ads promoting candidates for the Virginia Democratic primary on Tuesday, which he called a waste of money.

"People tune out televisions ads," which typically feature the candidate, "because politicians don't have credibility," Sabato told alumni during U.Va.'s reunion weekend. "It's better to put money to new technologies."

Obama's use of the Internet and social media to get elected is a "play on Abe Lincoln's dictum to find them, and vote them," Sabato said. What does that mean exactly? While Obama reached his core base of potential supporters with Web sites and social media applications that touted his message, Abraham Lincoln used posters and leaflets and newspaper editorials to sustain enthusiasm. They were relentless without alienating voters, which won them both elections against candidates that relied too exclusively on traditional campaigning.

Politicians, like the rest of the world, will come around, Sabato said -- adding that he was as skeptical as anyone.

"I thought Twitter was the dumbest thing in the world at first," Sabato said. "But I realize now that it's a great discipline."