The Techie in Chief

The article may be a reach, but it does, in fact, illustrate a solid point: that social media has enabled both consumers and voters to talk with each other (much the same way we're doing now), quickly and more connected. And if corporations, reporters and even politicians are smart, they will pay attention to what we're saying. Because for the first time in history, they're getting our thoughts and our feelings, laid bare, without the drudgery of analysis or the hit-or-miss of research. It would be wise to use the tool to capture the market of buyers, believers and voters.

Now that article is a reach

McCain = Bush = Obama
McCain pro surge = Obama pro surge
McCain leave troops in Iraq for 100 years = Obama withdraw troops from Iraq except for a whole bunch we leave in for 100 years.
McCain for cap & trade = Obama for cap & trade.
McCain wants to use our oil to lower oil prices = Obama wants to use new tech to lower oil rices. Niether will do much for 10 years and full production for both is 20 years away.

McCain = Bush = Obama
McCain pro surge = Obama pro surge
McCain leave troops in Iraq for 100 years = Obama withdraw troops from Iraq except for a whole bunch we leave in for 100 years.
McCain for cap & trade = Obama for cap & trade.
McCain wants to use our oil to lower oil prices = Obama wants to use new tech to lower oil rices. Niether will do much for 10 years and full production for both is 20 years away.

HarleyisHere how did you get so smart? I think "Jonh McCain" turned his back on his father and graduated 894th out of 8.
Remember McCain=Bush and now equals Obama.
The surge was McBains idea now Obama wants to surge troops in Afganistan which can not be fixed by the military.

Even though the column at the end of the magazine is called "The Last Word", it is the "The FIRST Article" I choose to read each week. I especially enjoy reading it when you write, Ms. Quindlen. So often, your words convey the very thing that I'm thinking! Thank-you for presenting topics that my husband and I discuss every time you write.

Even though the column at the end of the magazine is called "The Last Word", it is the "The FIRST Article" I choose to read each week. I especially enjoy reading it when you write, Ms. Quindlen. So often, your words convey the very thing that I'm thinking! Thank-you for presenting topics that my husband and I discuss every time you write.

Technology is such a backbone of today's society, it's almost incredible that a working Senator and candidate has absolutely no knowledge of basic computer skills. You'd think his dumb daughter would have tried to get him interested - she's got a blog!! You mean to tell me he's so wrapped up in himself he has no time to look over his daughter's shoulder and ask her about the Internet, maybe ask her to show him about email, etc.???

I can't believe that. My own father is McCain's age and in good health; he uses the Internet and email frequently and had no trouble learning, nor would my mother if she had the time.

Since McCain can only point to his allegedly great skills as "commander in chief" (which I doubt, seriously, in actual fact), you'd think he's be curious about military technology and at least be conversant in techie talk to a certain extent! Absolutely incredible - the whole military relies on the latest technologies to complete their missions. In the military, technology saves LIVES, for God's sake!!!!

McCain should retire. I can't believe the GOP is letting him run for President. He's too old and out of it, and will alienate most younger voters. I'm in my 40s and I don't find anything about him remotely interesting. I appreciate his heroism during Viet Nam, and feel for his plight as a POW, but given the Navy never promoted him, the un-stellar performance during his years at the Naval Academy, his earlier reputation as a big boozer and womanizer/playboy, and his crude, mirthless jokes, I am JUST NOT IN THE MOOD for another Republican to run the country. Period. It would be terribly depressing, not ot mention quite possibly detrimental to the wellbeing of our country.

As time on-line falls, quality of life rises. Let's see...McCain's too old, out of touch...What next, Obama has sexier cheerleaders?

This is off the subject of "The Techie in Chief" but your statement that you have already been told that you're a left-wing idiot prompted me to reply in the negative. I read your column with anticipation, knowing that there will be some suggestion of reasoned calm and sanity on issues that are very emotional for many readers and potentially explosive for some. While I come away from reading George Will's column with a sense of awe for the scope of his knowledge and his command of the English language, there are times when I have go back and re-read him once or twice and even then I'm not entirely sure I understood what he was saying. When I read your column, I know what you're saying, how you got there, and what you stand for, and while I may not agree with all your positions, I know that the fundamental issues of justice, fairness, and concern for those who are getting the short end of the stick is what you are about. It is this kind of thinkng that will enable this country to regain the greatness that has been ours in the past.

I'd say the issue is not whether or not McCain is tech-savvy or how he communicates and gets his information. It's whether or not he is willing or able to embrace modernity--the rise of the internet is unquestionably the single most important trend of the past decade, if not of my (22-year) lifetime. McCain doesn't need to be as addicted as many people of my generation are--indeed, that would be just as bad--however, by not seeing the transformative power of the internet early on it gives one the sense that he may be to stuck in his ways to see the importance of future trends in his term of office should he be elected--which doesn't sound like a big deal, but with technology advancing at the pace it is, I find it quite problematic.

I'd say the issue is not whether or not McCain is tech-savvy or how he communicates and gets his information. It's whether or not he is willing or able to embrace modernity--the rise of the internet is unquestionably the single most important trend of the past decade, if not of my (22-year) lifetime. McCain doesn't need to be as addicted as many people of my generation are--indeed, that would be just as bad--however, by not seeing the transformative power of the internet early on it gives one the sense that he may be to stuck in his ways to see the importance of future trends in his term of office should he be elected--which doesn't sound like a big deal, but with technology advancing at the pace it is, I find it quite problematic.

I have read all of your "THE LAST WORD" and became a fan.I 'm finding some manners of writing from your essays which once gave me a lot of new thoughts.

A US Senator can't use email? That's pathetic. I am bothered by his being Out of It but I'm more bothered by the complete lack of curiosity it implies.

I do not see the problem with him not being tech savy as much as I do have a problem with the next possible Commander and Chief being at the bottom of his graduating class at he Naval Academy, not knowing the border country countries we are at war with, his total recall, constant whining,distasteful bad jokes , etc

How can you be a senator without email? What does he do when someone doesn't pick up their phone - send them a post card?