Ravi Bhalla is the clear winner in the video hits categoryOne of the developments in the Hoboken Campaigns for Mayor and the three City Council at large seats is the use of Social network sites such as Facebook and Flicker and online video such as Vimeo and YouTube. Sure, most candidates in the 2005 and 2007 elections had websites, but the use of the new media is something that is new to Hoboken Politics to this extent. The prevalence of hits is not necessarily a reflection of the overall campaign but indicative of the reach that each candidate is getting via new media.
Here is the Breakdown for Facebook membership for the Mayoral candidates as of 4/8/2009:
Peter Cammarano 392 (quite a few not even from NJ)
Dawn Zimmer 121
Beth Mason 22 (Michelle Russo is one of the members)
Tom Vincent 13
I could not locate a Facebook page for Frank Orsini and Ryn Melberg has one on the way.
Here are the Breakdowns of videos and views/plays on each candidate's video sites as of 4/9/2009:
Beth Mason (Vimeo Plus)
Introduction 552
Beth and Ticket 107
TV Ad 68
Total Views/Plays 727
Peter Cammarano YouTube
Lost Control TV Ad 297
Announcement 187
Total Views/Plays 484
Dawn Zimmer YouTube
Update Western Edge 154
Update Church Towers 113
Kickoff Party 283 (video by me)
Total Views/Plays 550
Frank Orsini (Intro video by me)
Total Views/Plays 417
The other Mayoral Candidates don't as of yet have any videos I am aware of.
Looking at the video hits I would say that there is some presence out there with these techniques for the Mayoral candidates. While this level doesn't appear to be a predominant aspect of the campaign, face to face always is better if the candidate has the goods, it can't hurt but get the word out and raise awareness.
That concludes the Mayoral candidates but there is one Council at large candidate while on a slate still has his own website. That person is Ravi Bhalla. He is the one candidate out there that I believe is really utilizing this new technology to get his name out there. Take a look at his numbers and see if you agree:
Ravi Bhalla YouTube Video Views/Plays as of 4/9/2009:
Video testimonials 3,724
Intro 630
Transparency 230
Fiscal Responsibility 198
Modernization 133
Total Views/Plays 4915
With almost 5,000 views on his videos combined I would say that Ravi is the clear winner in the new media utilization campaign awards. Whether this translates into votes is to be determined on election day but there is no doubt that in a city where typically 10,000 votes are cast in municipal elections he has made an impact. For a non-incumbent he has certainly at least gotten his name out there.
