July 27, 2009
Posted: July 27th, 2009 12:10 PM ET

From
 CEA Chair Christina Romer asks small business owners for feedback on social networking site LinkedIn.
CEA Chair Christina Romer asks small business owners for feedback on social networking site LinkedIn.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The White House seems to be giving all social networks an equal opportunity. During President Obama's weekly address (on YouTube and promoted on Twitter) he asked small business professionals to weigh into the health insurance reform debate on LinkedIn, a "professional" social network.

In a section on the site designated to celebrities asking questions and receiving answers from those participating, Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) Chair Christina Romer is asking what experiences people involved in small businesses have with health care. Responses will also be collected through WhiteHouse.gov and Romer will be discussing some of the responses in a live video discussion on Wednesday.

Over 43 million people participate in LinkedIn, including 12 million who own or work at a small business. LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner told the CNN Political Ticker in an e-mail, "This outreach was not only a smart way of conducting a focus group, it's the most effective way to reach out and engage with the small business community on a large scale."

This is the first time the White House has used LinkedIn to gather information.  Both Obama and McCain used LinkedIn as focus groups during the presidential campaign.

Filed under: LinkedIn • Social Networking


links for 2009-07-28 - Kevin Bondelli’s Youth Vote Blog   July 28th, 2009 2:30 pm ET

[...] CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive – White House uses LinkedIn as a... [...]

No Hillary = No Obama   July 27th, 2009 2:56 pm ET

Here we go again. This his how Obama stole the primary from Clinton- using a select part of the population that are teched-in to make waves. Social engineering is no substitute for leadership. Let's hope Congress doesn't get intimidated.

Can you stand the TRUTH?   July 27th, 2009 2:55 pm ET

I can se it passed right now with the health program being named, THE KILLING TED KENNEDY HEALTH PLAN.

Angie in Pa   July 27th, 2009 2:47 pm ET

Great Job getting the Peoples Input meanwhile the GOP Are making fear mongering ads!

stormerF   July 27th, 2009 2:39 pm ET

Why would we believe anything Christina Romer is involved in? She is an Educator,not an economists,nor a health care provider,Enough is enough no more government involvement in any of our economic problems,they have fixed nothing,all they have done is spend our Tax Dollars on useless programs that have not provided any permanet jobs,nor solutions to our problems....Health care is 1/6th of our Economy,and the Government needs to stay out of it. Health care is not a right,nor is housing,nor is a job,nor is food,but we have the greatest country in the world,that allows you to achieve any thing you want to be...We do not want to be a welfare State,so hands off big brother.

Nan Ainsworth   July 27th, 2009 2:12 pm ET

It isn't the quality of care given by Dr.'s that presents a problem in our present health care system. The cost associated with Dr.'s and hospitals presents a problem. It is so unfair to see average people have to take bankruptcy because of a hospital stay. These individuals have health insurance but the out of pocket cost can't be dealt with. Does your health care reform address these issues? When it does I will be the first to support it.

Sandy Hahn   July 27th, 2009 2:10 pm ET

Why won't the administration do something about the REAL problem....JOBS! So much time and money is spent on other issues, which are obviously the favs of the President. But, of course, he HAS a job. Every move, every penny spent by the government should be directed toward creating jobs...decent pay and benefits. E-Verify would be a big help. Corporate greed is fed by hiring illegals at low pay, no benefits, then American citizens support illegals with education, health care, etc. A lot of illegals purchased homes with false documents and income info and now again, we are paying for them. Use of E-Verify would open up many jobs to American citizens.
Better healthcare would be nice.....but, we needs JOBS! We need jobs to survive.

Chappie Bullitts   July 27th, 2009 2:01 pm ET

A problem with electronic processes is that there is no way to verify who the author of a communication really is - unless you get into hefty security.

Bobby Jean DeLean   July 27th, 2009 2:01 pm ET

when the horse enters the bonnet, the see-saw will flop. you can count on that.

jt   July 27th, 2009 2:00 pm ET

Thank you President Obama you're doing a terrific job, stock market is booming, housing market has been stabalized, auto sells look positve, overall economy is not spinning out of control like it was during Bush era, GDP looks positive, and slowly earning respect around the world, reputation destroyed by Bush Cheney hot headed calculation, well employment figure is not that positive 9% above but if Bush and Cheney were here I bet that would have alreeady been crossed 10%. Heath care plan is on the way, you have done so much in 6 months Bush could n't have done in 8 years, amazing performance sir, keep up.

greg   July 27th, 2009 2:00 pm ET

maybe if I post enough comments on linked in obamma will have me over for lunch and a beer too?

gl, From Pittsburgh   July 27th, 2009 1:59 pm ET

We can't hear the RETHUGS NOW! We are you Rethugs now?

gl, From Pittsburgh   July 27th, 2009 1:57 pm ET

All the stupid Republicans have is their stupid scare tactic out dated ads.

TCM   July 27th, 2009 1:48 pm ET

This is ridiculous; Obama and his staff always putting forth the effort as if they're really listening....his main drive, his main goal is to have power and control.

Lynne   July 27th, 2009 1:42 pm ET

Proud Member...Party of No: Rasmussen's polls are always out of sync with the rest of the polls taken. The only way to judge is to go with the Real Clear Politics average as it includes polls biases to either side as well as neutral polls.

GaVoter   July 27th, 2009 1:36 pm ET

My company's financial officer has already indicated that they will drop our healthcare plan if this reform doesn't offer a healthcare tax break. His response to my inquires.., you can always go to work for a company that offers a healthcare plan. Which of course will be few once every other small company pushes their employees onto the goverment option. An option sure to offer less coverage in a smaller network. No Thanks Obama!!

John   July 27th, 2009 1:35 pm ET

Good way to reach independent consultants and small business owners.

I'm sure people with an axe to grind against Obama and everything Obama does will find a reason to attack him for this.

Someday Obama should just start supporting all the right wing positions, just so they can do an about face and start attacking what they used to think was so important. He could be pro-gun and suddenly the NRA would support the Brady Bill. He could be pro-life and suddenly Operation Rescue would be donating money to Planned Parenthood.

John   July 27th, 2009 1:32 pm ET

The only reason he had such a high approval rating to begin with is they only asked the groups that would give the answers they wanted. Just like health care, they will only ask the people who will agree with them. But this is true of any pole, they are worthless kind of like a President I will not bother to mention.

donttreadonme   July 27th, 2009 1:21 pm ET

If you think that Obama is not a Socialist, then you clearly don't know what a Socialist is!

Morning Report, July 27: Obama, Awkward Moments, Octomom, and Newt Gingrich « Evangelical Gateway   July 27th, 2009 1:20 pm ET

[...] Speaking of the 'profiling' incident, in what will likely be the king of all uncomfortable moments, President Obama is hosting a meeting of officer Crowley and professor Gates over beer at the White [...]

donttreadonme   July 27th, 2009 1:14 pm ET

Libs act like a total Government take over is the only way to fix healthcare. What a joke as long as pupetmaster Obama says so!

Patrick - Indianapolis   July 27th, 2009 1:11 pm ET

Polls are irrelevant because only older people have land lines. Until they start calling cell phones, phone polls have no credibility. This is coming from a 30yr old. None of my friends have a land line. Furthermore, minus credibility since its a Rasmussen poll. But hey, keep convincing yourself that the polls actually mean something and that the President is failing. It sure didn't help your guy win the election. The rate the rest of you republicans are going, I don't think you have to worry about elections anytime soon; just political funerals. Good day!

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   July 27th, 2009 12:57 pm ET

You've got to love the technological savvy of this White House. This makes the republicans $1 million ad even more irrelevant.

yuri   July 27th, 2009 12:55 pm ET

It really is prudent to get as many opinions from the general public as possible, in order to gain reasonable support for the healthcare reform.

Dan   July 27th, 2009 12:51 pm ET

To All Those Who Say State Provided Health Care is Socialism:

1. When State Provides Social Security, is it not Socialism?
2. When State Provides Free Education, is it not Socialism?
3. When State Provides Unemployment Benefits, is it not Socialism?
4. When State Provides Minimum Wage Laws, is it not Socialism?

In any case there is a difference between Socialism and Welfare States. Even Democratic Countries are Welfare States, like UK.

Proud Member..Party of No   July 27th, 2009 12:50 pm ET

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 30% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -10. Yesterday and today are the only time that Obama's Approval Index

HonestMistake   July 27th, 2009 12:50 pm ET

I don't think they are going to like what they hear.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
@KuhnCNN: Great meeting @JackGrayCNN today and seeing @sinderbrandrcnn in NYC! AC Rock Stars! :-)
Updated: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:07:10 -0800
@KuhnCNN: Posted today: Clinton foreign trip first on Twitter. http://bit.ly/9Axuh9 /via @PoliticalTicker
Updated: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:36:14 -0800
@KuhnCNN: RT @octavianasrCNN: MUST-READ// Coaching tomorrow's world leaders, through social networking -- http://bit.ly/9tmW6x
Updated: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:32:51 -0800
@AWMooneyCNN: Metro finally comes and then stops at station for 20 minutes #snoverkill
Updated: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:46:27 -0800
@psteinhauserCNN: I just shoveled two feet of snow off the roof. That was fun!
Updated: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:14:34 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP