NPR: UPDATE: BPP Tweets to Obama

UPDATE: BPP Tweets to Obama

Filed under: Election 2008

On today's show, we took advantage of the "direct message" button on Democrat Barack Obama's Twitter account. Host Alison Stewart sent a message asking if he'd like to be on our show. Turns out, we were able to do that because Obama follows our Twitter feed -- along with 13,577 others.

The reason we can't send a direct message to Hillary Clinton's Twitter account -- the reason no one can -- is that she doesn't follow anyone. Which is a not unreasonable choice, when you consider what Obama's Twitter page must look like with 13,578 people yakking away. NPR Twitter guru Andy Carvin recommends posting @hillaryclinton, which I just tried.

In other Twitter news, Republican John McCain does appear to have a Twitter account. It's a little different from the ones on the Democratic side, not least because it has about twice as many posts. But it also has a somewhat different tone, with entries like today's "Glory is not a conceit. It is not a decoration for valor. Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself," and "Obama campaign advisor seems to endorse McCain http://tinyurl.com/3xcfoy" I just posted @johnmccain2008, too.

Gonna call the campaigns now and talk Twitter.

Laura Conaway

9:47 AM ET | 03- 7-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Sweet! If Hillary takes you up on it, I'll be surprised, but there may be a chance for Obama or McCain.

Sent by eliz. (@elizs) | 10:20 AM ET | 03-07-2008

I hope that the candidates respond to your Twitter requests. However, I also hope that the rest of NPR doesn't get mad at the BPP for requesting high profile interviews without going through the news department which grants programs permission to request such opportunities.

Sent by Steve Petersen | 10:34 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Steve, I don't think the NPR news department will be terribly upset if the BPP "lands" an interview with a high profile person like Mr. Obama.

The BPP is pushing the traditional boundaries of NPR. That is neither good nor bad, but it is more interesting that continuing along the same well-trodden path. And it allows for the possibility of significant growth.

Sometimes it is fine to move forward and ask "forgiveness" rather than "permission."

Sent by Phillip | 12:44 PM ET | 03-07-2008

Phillip,

I agree with you that sometimes is easier to ask for forgiveness instead of permission. However, I've heard that the "newsroom politics" surrounding high profile interviews is intense...

Sent by Steve Petersen | 6:22 PM ET | 03-07-2008

Steve,

Fair enough. You apparently have more knowledge of "newsroom politics" than I do. I must admit my ignorance on the subject.

Sent by Phillip | 7:20 PM ET | 03-10-2008

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