53% Of Internet Users Believe Social Media Affects Politics

The 2010 General Election may not have been the "Internet election" many thought it would be. But across the Atlantic the 2008 Presidential election was the most technically advanced, Internet savvy election ever mounted with all candidates executing online engagement strategies that targeted both core and first time voters with large social media operations.

New research by the Pew Internet & American Life Project  has found that 53% of Americans felt that social media helped them get a candidate elected to office while 46% believe that the Internet plays a major role in getting the word out about a cause.

While a large part of this can be put down to the huge increase in the number of people using social media in the last couple of years, the new and social media operations that were used as part of the 2008 election cycle can be credited with spearheading the integration of politics with social media.

Poll surge for Obama

In times of tragedy the vast majority of people turn to their leaders for comfort, guidance and direction, and when a tragedy hits America Americans rally around one person, the president - no matter what their political stripes - morphing him instantly from Commander in Chief to Comforter in Chief.

In political terms this transition - accompanied by a sobering and heartfelt speech - generally results in a surge in popularity for the occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. And following his speech at the service of remembrance for the victims of the Tucson shooting President Barack Obama has benefited from the "Comforter in Chief effect."

According to Politico "His approval rating is the highest it’s been in the poll since April, while his disapproval was last as low as 43 percent in March 2010. In December, 49 percent of Americans surveyed for the Post-ABC poll approved of Obama’s performance, while 47 percent disapproved.

A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey also released Tuesday pegged the president’s approval rating at 53 percent and his disapproval at 43 percent. In December, the poll showed Americans evenly divided, with his approval and disapproval rates both at 48 percent."