A recent study by Mark Senak (of EyeonFDA.com) using Sourcewatch and Twitanalyzer shows Republicans in Congress are outpacing their Democratic counterparts when it comes to using social media tools like Twitter.
For example, GOP Leader John Boehner's political account – @JohnBoehner – is the most followed in the House followed by Rep. @EricCantor, @CongJoeWilson, and six other Republicans (and only one Democrat). Republicans also have more "clout" and "influence" than Democrats on the service.
Here are some excerpts from recent articles:
- Republican's Tweet Revenge: "The research showed that in the House of Representatives, Republicans are far more prolific, sending out 29,162 Tweets through early January, five times as many micro messages as their Democratic counterparts. In the Senate, Republicans' 6,310 tweets outnumber Democrats' by a far smaller 35% margin. Because Republican Congressmen tweet more often, more people subscribe, or 'follow,' their Twitter feeds. Thanks in part to lots of Twitter activity from groups like Top Conservatives On Twitter (TCOT), Republicans occupy 18 of the top 20 spots in terms of followers on Twitter." (Forbes)
- The Capitol Hill Twitterverse: "The Republican leadership in the House is both aggressive and popular on Twitter. The party's top two members in the House — John A. Boehner of Ohio and Eric Cantor of Virginia, respectively — have the most followed Twitter accounts in the chamber. Mr. Boehner and the No. 3 Republican in the House, Mike Pence of Indiana, had also combined to send out more than 3,000 Tweets." (New York Times)
- Study: Republicans more influential on Twitter than Democrats: "Although Obama effectively used Twitter and Facebook and swamped McCain in this areas, Republicans, now out of power, are using these tools to effectively communicate with constituents." (Washington Examiner)
- Study: On Twitter, Republicans Dominate Dems: "Twitter emerged as a really powerful force for communications shortly after Republicans were consigned to the congressional minority in 2006. Having to cope with damaging elections--and the usual hostility from most the mainstream media--the GOP naturally turned to one of the many new avenues for political communications (the Guerilla Congress in the summer of 2008 used Twitter very well)." (Newsbusters)
At the same time, the study provided some simple, common sense ideas for lawmakers to improve their use of Twitter further. You can read the whole thing here.
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