Why would the Obama administration let anyone with an internet connection start a petition and promise to respond to it if it gets enough signatures?
Once upon a time, Presidents could talk to the whole nation at will. Thirty years ago, 50 million people watched the nightly news on TV. Now not even half that many do. And whole segments of the public have walled themselves off. How can Obama reach Rush Limbaugh’s audience, except through Rush Limbaugh? How does he talk to his friends and opponents who care passionately about public policy but would never tune in to the State of the Union or even his Inaugural Address?
“When you sign a petition, you implicitly agree that the White House has a right to communicate with you about that matter by e-mail.” So, all of the sudden, the White House has the ability to connect with you directly about an issue you care about. You’ve basically given them an excuse to directly market to you. Smart.
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