Forget Obama McCain – Think Tech

John McCain released his technology roadmap.

Finally.

It’s short and to the point, covering everything from internet regulation to intellectual property protection — but lacking substance.

“As Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, John McCain regularly and closely examined the latest technological…” blah blah blah.

If McCain examined technological anything, he’d have published his notions months ago, not in the days before the GOP convention. He also wouldn’t have admitted and been mocked for being computer illiterate.

“McCain is talking about technology now in order to make it a non-issue,” writes Kevin Werbach at CircleID. “He wants to blunt the growing perception that he isn’t a 21st-century President.”

No kidding. One month ago today, I wrote about McCain’s technology plan, or the lack of one, in contrast to the grandiose but grounded plan of Barack Obama.

The Democratic candidate wants to appoint the country’s first chief technology officer to oversee a national roll-out, liaise with state and local law enforcement officers to streamline wireless technology, and ask residents to review all non-emergency presidential legislation before he signs it.

That’s being presidential. That’s showing technological innovation. McCain? Puh-lease!

Is it any surprise that Salon called him an internet dunce earlier this week?

But let’s look at the numbers. Let’s see how McCain and Obama embrace technology:

McCain on Facebook: 202,000 supporters
Obama on Facebook: 1.3 million supporters

McCain on YouTube: 12,000 subscribers
Obama on YouTube: 69,000 subscribers

Obama on Twitter: 58,000 followers
McCain on Twitter: Non-existent

…not to mention libertarian candidate Bob Barr with 400 Twitter followers.

Dear Mr. McCain, if Obama has more online friends than you, if Barr has more Twitter friends than you, what does that say about technologically-savvy voters?

In Massachusetts, I’m registered as an unenrolled voter so I vote whichever way I want. From a tech standpoint alone, I’m with Obama. If McCain can bridge the digital divide between he and his opponent, I’ll reconsider.

Maybe both men will now agree to hold a presidential debate on science and technology.

Until then, my pick for a tech president is a given.

How about you?

Related posts:

1. How Obama Ordering a Hamburger is a Lesson and a Warning for Every Chief Executive
2. Do You Care That @BarackObama Doesn’t Tweet?
3. 6 Business Lessons from President Obama

Comments: