So it came as no surprise to me then when I saw the latest study from the Congressional Management Foundation. CMF, which is totally nonpartisan, found that the majority of Congress embraces social media. According to the report, 64% of senior managers believe Facebook is an important tool for gauging the viewpoint of their constituents.

For politicians, social media isn’t just a place to be, it’s about conversations. It’s about sharing. This is what we tell our clients. Just having a presence in social media isn’t enough. You need a commitment to engagement. Social media is no different than anything else – you get out what you put into it.

If you get a chance, read #SocialCongress: Perceptions and Use of Social Media on Capitol Hill. If you’re in politics and you aren’t leveraging social media, it’s time to start.

One more thing. TweetCongress can help you keep track of Congress via social media. In addition to Twitter feeds, it has lists of members who use that social platform and their @names.

And not surprisingly, he’s pitching his campaign where the audience is — Facebook.

On his website, he asks “Are You In?”

You have two choices (See below): Give your name and zip code (great for organizing) and enter via Facebook.

Click the Facebook button, however, and the Obama site starts taking over. First you grant permission to suck in all your Facebook information. Then you get a prompt to update your wall with the Are You In message. (Our social media VP offered up his personal account to show you the process. He neither advocates nor disavows the campaign.)

Then it shows you some of your friends (complete with profile photo) who are not yet “In” and gives you the option of posting an invite on their wall. Some might consider that intrusive. (Our VP did and changed the name of his friend in the example below.)

Why all the attention on Facebook by Obama’s team?

I think it’s like why Wayne Gretzky was so successful – he went where the puck was going to be. Obama is going where the people are going to be, just like retail/corporate America.

You heard it here first.

-  Overall Campaigns – Ballot Initiative:  Yes on 100 – Protect Education and Public Safety
-  Direct Mail – Ballot Initiative:  Yes on 100 – Protect Education and Public Safety
-  Vote-By-Mail Ballot Request:  Yes on 100 – Protect Education and Public Safety
-  Best Use of Negative Contrast:  No on 302 – Save First Things First
-  Website State:  Yes on 100 – Protect Education and Public Safety
-  Website State:  No on 302 – Save First Things First
-  Website Local:  Keep the Cubs – Yes on 420
-  Television Ballot Initiative – GOTV:  Yes on 100 – Protect Education and Public Safety

Being recognized for our work in TV, Direct Mail and Online is a testament to the integrated strategic approach we bring to our clients’ projects. It also reflects the many channels the world now uses to consume content.

We are pleased to give a big shout out to the steering committees of the campaigns and our strategic partners who deserve these awards as much as we do:  HighGround, Inc., Coleman Dahm and Associates, David Leibowitz, and Jay Heiler.

The Pollie Award is “a symbol of the ’Best of the Best’ in political and public affairs communication.”

Opening day of Arizona’s 50th Legislature kicks off this Monday, January 10th, and 31 freshmen will conduct their first official business as elected public representatives.  The day is scheduled to begin with Gov. Jan Brewer’s State of the State Address.

After the excitement of opening day wears off, Arizona lawmakers will be faced with a number of tough spotlight issues from citizenship birthrights to job creation. This year the public will be shining again — even brighter on Arizona — and the way these new legislators conduct themselves will be key to the image of Arizona.

Click here to find the legislative district you live in and see who is representing you.

Everyone has probably asked at one point why is the voting process so complicated? Only four percent of voters cast ballots at the polls in the last City of Phoenix Election. If any other business had metrics that showed these results you can bet changes would come rapidly.

Well, the good news is the city of Phoenix has done something about it and at perfect time considering the next major city election will ask voters to choose a new Mayor.

The new plan will give residents of Phoenix a new way to vote in the City Election. This plan will make it easier for voters to get to the polls.

The plan is to open voting centers at high traffic areas across the city and allow voters to take their pick of the most convenient, whether it is close to home, work, or other activities. Voting Centers will also be open for open for multiple hours and multiple days surrounding the election.

I like the vision the City of Phoenix has taken here. Next year I’ll enjoy electing the next Mayor while hopping on the light rail, or maybe right before I get my morning coffee and check my email coffee at the local free wifi spot.

Tools

Twiangulate – Twitter tool for search, analytics and mapping of connections between Twitter friends and followers.

Townhall – Microsoft’s new out-of-the-box online toolkit for running political campaigns.  Email me for the login for the demo.

Goodmail – creator of CertifiedEmail,  helps get your emails delivered.

Varnish – a caching system to speed up your web site

Social Media Communities

Myspace Non Profit Page – a great resource for non-profits, and proof that MySpace is still relevant

Black Planet – “the largest Black community online” run by Interactive One

MiGente – “the largest Latino-American community online” run by Interactive One

Concepts

Augmented Reality – If you like your car’s GPS and your phone’s applications then you’re a fan of augmented reality.

Books

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect

The PayPal Wars: Battles With Ebay, the Media, the Mafia, and the Rest of Planet Earth