Switching gears from my previous posts, I'd like to ask y'all a question. With all the common assumptions, misconceptions, and preconceived notions circulating about who George W. Bush is, I started pondering whether or not the President, or a key member of his staff, should start blogging. As for my take:

Downsides

Of course, the risks involved would include time management of the blog. There's no way the chief executive of the United States could seriously devote time to blogging himself on a regular basis. Or could he?

Additionally, would the traffic to the blog site be overwhelming? Could staffers, or servers for that matter, handle all the comments? Then there would be issues with hackers and other mischievous folks who would love to pounce on an opportunity to mess with the Pres' blog site.

Upsides

Looking at this question from a positive angle, if the president were to devote 10 minutes a week to producing a blog, or having a staffer write it for him, the obvious upside would be a direct communication to the public without a filtered media. I for one am curious to know some of the day-to-day thoughts that go through the President's mind.

In addition to the opportunity for increased intimacy with the Commander in Chief, this would seem to be a great method to gauge public opinion, basically acting as an online focus group - uncontrolled variable of course. You'd have to wonder if a blog might also be used as a tool to promote an agenda or to gain support on issues ...

What's Your Take?

As I ponder this question, I keep coming up with as many pros as cons so I'm interested in hearing what your thoughts might be on this subject. Please provide me some of your opinions on whether or not it would be worthwhile for the President to blog.

Note: Please be honest and candid in your responses, but foul language or inappropriate content will be deleted.

Labels: Blogging

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Posted by Erik Jon Warila @ 10/03/2006 09:06:00 PM