Politicians turning to Twitter
September 13th, 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY — A growing number of state agencies and politicians are using the social networking site known as Twitter to get their message out.
Twitter allows people to follow the real-time messages sent out by other people and groups. It is a hybrid between instant messages and message boards. Twitter messages must be no more than 140 characters.
Oklahoma Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax on Tuesday used his personal Twitter account to send election results for a special primary election for a vacant state House seat.
The Oklahoma Election Board is exploring the possibility of creating an official Twitter account, he said.
Ziriax said the free service allows his agency to reach more voters with information.
The Oklahoma Senate last week also began sending out information on Twitter.
The messages, known as "tweets," are expected to include updates on key committee and task force meetings, press conferences and floor action on specific bills.
"I'm very proud of the entire Senate staff for the work they've done in the past several years to take advantage of technology, from getting legislation online, to live streaming of audio and video from two of our main committee rooms as well as the chamber," said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. "The Senate Communication Department tweets can give people a heads-up on key events and help interested individuals keep up with big events at the state Capitol."
Gov. Brad Henry's spokesman, Paul Sund, sends the governor's press releases over Twitter. Sund said a number of opinion leaders and reporters are using the service.
"It just seemed like another good way to get the message out," Sund said.
The state's four current candidates for governor are all on Twitter.
"It is a good way to keep people updated on a day-by-day and sometimes hour-by-hour basis on what the candidate is doing," said Alex Weintz, communications director for the gubernatorial campaign of U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Okla.
Likewise, state Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, and Democrats Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and Attorney General Drew Edmondson use Twitter in their campaigns for governor.
State lawmakers have also gotten into the act, including Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant; Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond; Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs; Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City; and Rep. Ryan Kiesel, D-Seminole.
Barbara Hoberock, World Capitol Bureau - The Tulsa World