On-line Presidential Campaigns in USA and FRG Compared: Why Did Obama Win? Why did Steinmeier Lose?

Some couple of hours ago, one of my former students delived a presentation in Prof. Dr. Udo Vorholt's political science class. I was heartily invited by Kirsten to see her performace and provide a brief comment related to the presentation. I am very thankful for this invitation, Kirsten Hein! Thank you! :)

The presentation was titled "Wahlkampf Online?/Präsidentschaftswahl 2008 (USA) und Bundestagswahl 2009 (Deutschland) am Beispiel Obamas und Steinmeiersim Vergleich". Very good materials, very good summaries. Kirsten managed to make a lively presentation. The purpose of her presentation, to be brief, was to find an answer to a question, which many of us, German citizens and foreigners, keep on asking: "Why did Obama's internet campaign succeed and why Steinmeier's attempts failed. Kirsten even suggested that Steinmeier's attempts to campaign on-line in Germany turned out, in the end, counterproductive.

WHY did Steinmeier lose the race despite his noticeable on-line presence in 2009?

Kirsten acknowledged that there were many other factors which helped Obama to win (and Steinmeier to lose). Yet she suggested that the following factors are important to consider, when we compare Obama's and Steinmeier's attempts to outreach the voters:

1. Andere Kultur (Different Culture)
2. Andere Einstellungen/Vorstellungen von Wahlkampf (Different Attitudes/Conception of the Elections)
3. Andere Voraussetzungen (Different Preconditions)
4. Authentizität/Glaubwürdigkeit? (Authenticity) (My comment: or absence of such.)
5. Regelrechte Überschwemmung mit SPD-PR: Soziale Netzwerke, Merchandise, …
6. Oder waren es andere, „offline-Gründe“? (Or were there other "offline" reasons?)
7. Oder einfach schlechtes PR-Team? (Or simply bad PR-team)

The presentation was interesting. I would also say: partisan. A bit longer than required. But very engaging.

Kirsten also wanted to demonstrate a number of hilarious vids in class! Thanks for sharing Steinmeier's political pop-moments, Kirsten. :)

"Die SPD versuchte gen Ende des Wahlkampfes noch einmal alles um doch noch Wähler zu fangen." (c) Kirsten Hein
Beispiel: "SPD - Was Geht Ab [Wir holen die Kanzlerschaft] [HD] + Lyrics"
""Yes We Frank!" - Steinmeier in Mannheim (Teil 2)"
"Frau Merkel zur Steuerpolitik der CDU"

I have invited Kirsten to make the same presentation in my class. I am looking forward to a very interesting discussion. In their MOZes, my students keep on asking questions about the internet campaigning in the U.S. and Germany (2008 & 2009)... I think, this presentation will satisfy their intellectual appetite.