Podcasting By Governors And Other Politicians Is Skyrocketing!

Podcasting by Governors and other politicians is skyrocketing!

Imagine for a second that you are an up-and-coming politician running for the senate or a governors race – what’s the best way to reach out to your younger audience?
PODcasting has been the answer — So, who is doing it?

Rod Blgojevich

Governor Rod Blgojevich offers pod casting through his website Illinois.gov, http://www.illinois.gov/gov/podcasts.cfm - Stating that “Sometimes, you want to get your information on an issue straight from the source. That is why we have started offering ‘Podcasts’ on different topics.” He’s using these podcasts to talk about everything from jobs, schools, health care and energy initiatives.

Here are a few of his most recent Podcasts:

Illinois Unemployment Drops to All-Time Low
Proposal to Increase the Minimum Wage
Protecting Access to Contraceptives

Ernie Fletcher

Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher is the latest state governor to introduce a podcast. The Governor Ernie Fletcher’s Podcast lets people listen to the governor’s latest public addresses on their computer or portable media player.

fletcher.jpg“Moving Kentucky forward means making state government more accessible to our citizens,” said Governor Fletcher. “Podcasting is another way we are doing just that — bringing government to the people with the most up-to-date technology possible.”

The podcast is a free service available to anyone with an Internet connection.

Governor Fletcher becomes one of the first governors in the nation to utilize the growing technology that expands the use of Internet-based multi-media to reach constituents. Fletcher’s podcast joins Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee’s podcast and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger podcast.

“More and more citizens and businesses are going to the Internet as their first source for news, information and interaction,” explained Governor Fletcher. “Taking advantage of this technology ensures Kentucky state government is there to greet them.”

Chris Bell

Chris Bell, former Texas Governor offers several podcasts that share with his supporters topics that are close to his heart, but also offers him the chance to “play a little politics”.

CB Radio: Bizradio Podcast, Chris Duel today
Podcast: Chris on Houston BizRadio

Russ Diamond whom ran for Governor in Pennsylvania offers several podcasts including the following: Russ Diamon Podcasts

Barack Obama

Obama-PodcastMost notably Barack Obama of Illinois is using podcasts to push his agenda more than anyone! Obama’s website for senate offers plenty of options for listening to his podcasts.
Senate Democratic Majority.

Senator Obama discusses the new Senate Democratic majority and upcoming legislation, including an increase in the minimum wage, implementing all of the 9/11 Commission recommendations and a real energy policy.

Transparency Act and Chemical Plant Security

Senator Obama discusses the “Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act” being signed in to law today, as well as the chemical plant security legislation agreed upon by House and Senate negotiators last week that is far too weak and fails to adequately protect American lives.

Africa Trip Recap

Senator Obama just returned from a 15-day trip to Africa where he visited South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Chad. He discusses his tour of Robben Island prison, meeting with U.S. troops, visiting refugee camps of those fleeing the genocide in Darfur and the need for addressing Africa’s growing AIDS epidemic.