March 09, 2007

Blogger Spotlight: Mike Huckabee for President

Blogging since 2/14/05, Mike Huckabee for President is the first unofficial WH '08 blog we remember seeing (if you're a blogger that can beat them, please let us know). Before moving on to a tour of California bloggers a week from now, we are going to spend five more days talking to unofficial WH '08 bloggers, starting with Nancy French from Evangelicals for Mitt.

What is your full name?

This isn't my "real" job so, since I blog from work and have clients who I know hail from the left side of the aisle, I prefer to be known as Blue Staterepublican (or "BSR" for short).

What is your age?

42

What's your hometown?

A charming little town in northwestern Arkansas (population 500).

Where do you live now?

Nowdays, I hail from a very blue state. I prefer not to say more than that at the moment.

What is your educational background?

I have a B.A. in communications/journalism and some post-graduate work in political science.

What is your occupation?

I run an in-house marketing department for a technology firm.

When did you first get involved in politics and why?

I started getting involved during the 2000 election because it was the first year I was eligible to vote and was taking my American Government class in high school. I wanted to be involved in picking my representatives in government. I enjoyed the caucus and have since been volunteering for the past 7 years on various campaign from national to local elections.

When did you start blogging and why?

I launched Mike Huckabee President 2008 on February 14, 2005. I did it for two reasons. First, I've known Gov. Huckabee personally for more than 10 years. I know what kind of man he is, what kind of Christian he is, and what kind of leader he is. I've thought for years he'd make a great president. Secondly, as someone who studies the convergence of technology and communications, I couldn't resist the opportunity to dive in and see for myself how blogging might influence the system.

How will blogs impact WH '08?

I think the internet, particularly user-generated content, will have a huge impact on the election. When I say user-generated content I mean blogs, but I would also include sites such as YouTube which is already having an impact, both positively and negatively, on candidates. Bloggers have the ability to communicate things about candidates on such a personal and authentic level, I really believe they will challenge the MSM in this election cycle.

What's your favorite most unsung specific example of a blogger affecting a political figure, organization, philosophy, or movement?

Well, my favorite example isn't really just one blogger. Some individual bloggers do have influence, but it is nothing compared to what can happen when bloggers unite behind a singular cause. I think the first example of how powerful bloggers can be came when President Bush nominated Harriet Meirs to the Supreme Court. The conservative blogosphere reacted immediately and nearly unanimously. We all saw the result.

Posted by Conn Carroll at March 9, 2007 12:40 PM