August 21, 2009
Posted: August 21st, 2009 12:00 PM ET

From
Which party has the upper hand on Twitter?
Which party has the upper hand on Twitter?

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Liberal bloggers established online political activism, besting their conservative rivals during President George W. Bush's eight years in office. But conservatives are now finding great success 140 characters at a time. Even this week, the conservative organization Club For Growth promoted their Twitter account on their $1.2 million ad campaign against health care.

Even though President Obama and national Democrats use Twitter – the social micro blog that everyone from Ashton Kutcher and Shaquille O'Neal to Chuck Grassley and Newt Gingrich often use to directly speak to followers – Republicans have embraced the technology. And with major policy issues being debated and the midterm elections right around the corner, liberal bloggers acknowledge the GOP has the upper hand when it comes to using 140 character messages known as "tweets" to influence the discussion.

"While it is obvious the progressive blogosphere is superior, we are being out-organized on Twitter," said Gina Cooper, a blogger who helped organize Netroots Nation, an annual gathering of online liberal activists that met last week in Pittsburgh. "There is some catching up to do on the progressive side."

Tracy Viselli, who attended Netroots Nation, agreed with Cooper and admitted that liberal bloogers are ceding this valuable territory to conservatives.

"Twitter is a news funnel," she said. "Conservatives are very tightly knit and getting their message out very well."

When Republicans were in control of the largest bullhorn in the world – the White House – there was little impetus for conservative activists to exploit a platform to express their views.

"Conservatives have long had this inferiority complex in the online world," said Matt Lewis, a conservative who writes for PoliticsDaily.com. "That is because Republicans have been in power when the blogosphere was invented.

Lewis added, "The ability to effectively utilize the Internet in the political realm works very well for the have-nots. It does not work so well for the establishment."

To that end, Republicans are working overtime to establish a beachhead, online.

"Twitter is the best example of the most modern technology and how folks are organizing," David All, a GOP new media consultant who has helped galvanize the party on Twitter, told CNN. He points to the success of hashtags – a popular way to keep track of a conversation – on Twitter. “#TCOT” (top conservatives on Twitter) has seen much more success on Twitter than “#P2 (progressives 2.0).  See stats from Hashtag.org here: TCOT vs P2.

Cooper is quick to defend progressives: “Conservatives are always good at pushing that one concise message. The death panels are easy to tweet. The explanation for why there are no death panels and making that explanation takes much more explanation. You can’t do that on Twitter.”

Erick Erickson, managing editor of the popular conservative Web site RedState.com, said that conservatives' efforts online are important but noted that people should continue to use traditional means to try and influence Congress.

"It is all well and good to be banging on your key board, but if you are not picking up the phone and yelling at your congressman, it does not do you very good," he said.

Despite having an upper hand on Twitter, conservatives still have a ways to go when it comes to catching up to liberals in the blogoshpere. Take for instance last week's competing online conferences in Pittsburgh. Former President Clinton and White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett addressed about 1,500 activists attending the Netroots Nation conference. At the same time, approximately 700 conservatives gathered at the RightOnline.com conference to discuss the future of online activism.

Filed under: Social Networking • Twitter


e.politics: online advocacy tools & tactics » Quick Hits — September 1, 2009   September 1st, 2009 10:50 am ET

[...] Liberal bloggers admit conservatives have upper hand on Twitter, via David All. But wait, Dems strike back! [...]

Progressives Launch a Twitter Directory, Republicans Launch a Social Network « Politicoholic by Nisha Chittal   August 31st, 2009 10:48 am ET

[...] on Twitter have long been organizing through use of the #tcot hashtag, which even progressives admit has given conservatives the upper hand when it comes to organizing via [...]

Liberals LOVE Big Government | Liberals and Bigger Government | Twitter Versus Blogs   August 27th, 2009 11:29 am ET

[...] “While it is obvi­ous the pro­gres­sive blo­gos­phere is supe­rior, we are being out-organized on Twit­ter,” said Gina Cooper, a blog­ger who helped orga­nize Net­roots Nation, an annual gath­er­ing of online lib­eral activists that met last week in Pitts­burgh. “There is some catch­ing up to do on the pro­gres­sive side.” (CNN, Lib­eral blog­gers admit con­ser­v­a­tives have upper hand on Twit­ter). [...]

Steynian 376 « Free Canuckistan!   August 24th, 2009 3:07 pm ET

[...] US LIBLOGGERS ADMIT conservatives have upper hand on Twitter .... [...]

Tell Me Why I Don’t Like Mondays (and Sarah Palin also, too) « Lynnrockets’ Blast-Off   August 24th, 2009 8:59 am ET

[...] THIS JUST IN: CNN reports that conservatives use the social networking tool known as the Twitter far more frequently than liberals. This is not surprising inasmuch as the 140 character limit is quite appealing to both conservatives and Republicans who tend to have very limited vocabularies. (see full story here). [...]

The Way We’ll Be » Cause or effect?   August 23rd, 2009 10:57 am ET

[...] Some media outlets have recently reported that conservative groups have been more successful in utilizing twitter than liberal groups. This comes in contrast to recent history, where liberal bloggers and online communities have been thought to have played an instrumental role in the election of President Obama. On this view, the success of a political platform is, at least to some extent, due to new technology. [...]

It’s Temporary | Reno and Its Discontents   August 23rd, 2009 12:26 am ET

[...] soon as I said the words out loud to CNN's Eric Kuhn, I knew I was going to have to take some heat. "Twitter is a news funnel," she said. [...]

Truth v. The Machine » Archives » How Tweet It Is   August 22nd, 2009 2:25 pm ET

[...] Apparently someone listened. Even though President Obama and national Democrats use Twitter...liberal bloggers acknowledge the GOP has the upper hand when it comes to using 140 character messages known as "tweets" to influence the discussion. [...]

CNN: Conservatives Have Upper Hand on Twitter | linkthe.com   August 22nd, 2009 12:43 pm ET

[...] to the Web can use it. In fact, just to keep things in perspective about this CNN Political Ticker story on how conservatives somehow have the upper hand on Twitter, be sure to watch this video of Ben [...]

Liberal Bloggers: Conservatives Are Way Ahead Of Us On Twitter « My Thoughts   August 22nd, 2009 12:37 pm ET

[...] a comment » Some of the leading lights of left-wing blogging are acknowledging that they’ve been out-organized on the Internet’s fastest growing social netwo... via [...]

PoliBlog: A Rough Draft of my Thoughts » Conservatives Winning the Twitter War?   August 22nd, 2009 12:23 pm ET

[...] CNN's Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive – Liberal bloggers admit conservatives have upper hand on Tw... "While it is obvious the progressive blogosphere is superior, we are being out-organized on [...]

Lessons from the Republican internet catch-up efforts | Mark Pack   August 22nd, 2009 12:19 pm ET

[...] CNN report on the topic highlights two facets to this: the importance of Twitter and the degree to which a [...]

» 140 Characters Are All You Need To Express Modern Conservative Thought Liberal Values   August 22nd, 2009 10:33 am ET

[...] certainly shows how the on line media used corresponds with the message. CNN reports that while liberals dominate the blogs conservatives dominate on Twitter: Even though President [...]

Below The Beltway » Blog Archive » Liberal Bloggers: Conservatives Are Way Ahead Of Us On Twitter   August 22nd, 2009 9:01 am ET

[...] of the leading lights of left-wing blogging are acknowledging that they've been out-organized on the Internet's fastest growing soci... WASHINGTON (CNN) – Liberal bloggers established online political activism, besting their [...]

Lessons from the Republicans internet catch-up efforts   August 22nd, 2009 8:06 am ET

[...] CNN report on the topic highlights two facets to this: the importance of Twitter and the degree to which a [...]

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive – Liberal bloggers admit … | News Trends   August 22nd, 2009 8:01 am ET

[...] Source:CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive – Liberal bloggers admit ... [...]

mega millions august 21 2009 – 海运女   August 22nd, 2009 2:55 am ET

[...] Morning Star – News Headlines : Local News – http://www.valleymorningstar.com/|||CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive ...Prime example would be Ben Affleck, one of the Top 10 least talented actors in Hollywood / history [...]

SocialNetworksGuru.TV - Your Definitive Social Networking Resources from Social Media Marketing to Social Media Optimization.   August 22nd, 2009 1:16 am ET

[...] View original post here: Liberal bloggers admit conservatives have upper hand on Twitter [...]

CNN Acknowledges Conservatives Are More Effective on Twitter, But Doesn’t Discuss the Reasons Why :: Daily Uprising   August 21st, 2009 8:09 pm ET

[...] If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!CNN's political ticker is carrying the following headline:  "Liberal bloggers admit conservatives have upper hand on Twitter" [...]

Conservatives Winning Twitter Battle « On Freedom’s Wings   August 21st, 2009 6:53 pm ET

[...] David All, a GOP new media consultant who has helped galvanize the party on Twitter, told CNN.  He points to the success of hashtags – a popular way to keep track of a conversation – on [...]

John M, Danville, CA   August 21st, 2009 5:32 pm ET

Carol,

I agree with you that most Democrats are un-educated, irresponsible, immoral heathens who are most likely on welfare (or want to be) and have hit the crack pipe enough so that Democrat ideals make sense.

To make things simple, there are basically 2 parts to the Democrat party:

The Base:
The Democrat voter base or the lemmings that put a check next to any name with a D are comprised of: abortion freaks, TBGL (Transgenders, Bisexuals, Gaysand Lesbians), animal "lovers", minorities, NOW, hippies / "legalize it" crowd, gang bangers / criminals and unions. Most are single issue voters and will support anyone that "feels their pain" (or at least says they do).

The "Brains":
The "educated" (most likely in Womens Studies, Sociology or some other useless major) who run the party. The "College know it all Hippies" (to steal a quote from Cartman) and the Silver Spoon Libs (Kennedy types), the people that never had to work a day in their lives and don't understand why anyone else should. Hollywood "elites" also fall into this category because one day they are waiting tables for minimum wage and the next they are making $20 million a film. Neither mind about taxes, because they never really had to "work" for their money anyways. Prime example would be Ben Affleck, one of the Top 10 least talented actors in Hollywood / history but worth mega-millions and a huge lib / Democrat activist. Proof that idle minds are a dangerous thing.

If you don't fall into any of these categories, please let me know so I can expand the list.

Big Country   August 21st, 2009 5:24 pm ET

Liberals used to make me mad, but now I just feel sorry for them. For so long they have been able to do all the name calling, protesting, and interrupting. But now the Republican side of the aisle has woken up and started to fight back. For eight years Libs called Pres. Bush, Hitler everytime they wanted to bad mouth the war against terrorism. So why is Pres. Obama off limits when he shows his socialist tendencies. Protesters show up outside a Town Hall meeting, and they are accused of disturbing the peace. But yet during the Republican nomination of 2004, Liberals had streets blocked off so that they could continue with: Bush is a Nazi, and have Bush like dolls hanging from ropes. Now in Town Hall Meetings, people given the platform to speak are interupted by the politicians, so they get loud and passionate to get their point accross, and you call them interuptions. But yet while Sen. McCain's nomination speech was interupted he politely stopped what he was saying and smiled while the interuption was dealt with. The problem is, when you have no substance all you can do is resort to the blame game and name calling. Lastly, Liberals accuse Conservatives of not being able to debate the facts. Well your man Barney Franks can't give clear answers to healtcare facts so he tells his own voters that they are like talking to a table.

P N TN.   August 21st, 2009 5:23 pm ET

You gotta love how most of the post from liberals talk about how stupid we conservatives are. Read some studies (or have someone read them to you). Conservatives are more educated and of higher income. This explains why we dont like taxes too pay for the government too keep you libs up ( because government waste too much). We prefer to give it to charity which is much more efficient at giving . We conservatives give MUCH more to charity too. You can look that up, if your able.
The government can do NOTHING that the private sector cannot do as well and in most cases better.
The fact is we havent had a decent choice for president since the Reagan era. It always comes down to a choice between a good solid turd( McCain, Bush, Dole) and a loose pile of diarrhea( Obama, Kerry, Gore). Until we change the way we vote, It will continue to be so.
Wake up people. Dont put the government in charge of your healthcare. They have proven over and over again they are incapable of running anything.

Ted   August 21st, 2009 5:13 pm ET

Someone wrote.. "Republican speak – if you're a Dem, you're on welfare, uneducated, un-american, irresponsible, un-christian, unpatriotic, so on and so on."

Add "Nazi" and "Racist" to the list and those look more like names used by democrats to describe the health care protesters over the last dew weeks.

Tia Maria   August 21st, 2009 5:02 pm ET

No wonder... 140 characters at the time. That's about how much a Republican can process at one time.

right wing conspirator   August 21st, 2009 5:02 pm ET

"the republicans used against health care" as the story reads. since when are we against health care??? we are against obamacare which is truley PRO health. i guess CNN and the rest of the left think we are against clean air, fuzzy animals and little old ladies. can you guys come up with fresh stereotypes? you're getting boring

conservativejames   August 21st, 2009 5:01 pm ET

Dems Speak- Republicans hate the poor & want them dead, we want all the money for ourselves, all we want is war, oil, guns & to supress the masses. I forgot that we are all racists too. What a load! If people would just turn off NPR for a little while and listen to a real source for news then you might be more educated as a Dem. The fact is the Dems that are well educated have a " I'm better than you", elitist attitude.

Sorry, I have to run, the dry cleaners was able to get all the blood off my KKK uniform which is good because I want to be nice & white for the rally.

If that is what you think about Republicans & Conservatives then you really are uneducated & Lincoln must have been to. By the way, who signed the Emancipation Proclimation into effect?

Josh   August 21st, 2009 4:57 pm ET

I see the Right-Wing Taliban is out in full force in this post. Why don't you Domestic Terrorists just give up already? You lost......miserably in November. Our President is Barack Obama and there's NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!

Sean Hannity   August 21st, 2009 4:55 pm ET

Gary – you supported 8 years of Bush and a GOP that: endorsed torture, invaded a sovereign goverment, lied to you, me and congress about going to war because of WMDs, stole and election in Florida, probably Ohio as well and have RNC staff coming forward to say they had been manipulated by your thugs (i.e., Tom Ridge, Scott McClellan, et. al.), your party has introduced brainwashing and propaganda, illegally detaining human's with no rights, killed over 5,000 US soldiers, 1 million Iraqi's, DID NOT get Bin Laden, empowered Saddam Hussein – prior to taking him out, invaded an oil rich country while gas prices in this country skyrocketed, deregulated banks and quarterbacked the TARP legislature that you want to hang on the "elected" President of the US, deregulated housing market bringing it and the banks to collapse – HEY GOP – with COUNTRYMEN like you – who needs enemies!! LOL.

Big Daddy Jimbo   August 21st, 2009 4:55 pm ET

Ezra,

You are a moron. Your messiah cannot even explain his policy to a town hall full of his own supporters, and you want to bad mouth the repubs? You seem to forget that the repubs have read the bill, unlike the dem hacks in congress, and that is why they are succeeding in shooting holes in this bill, idiot! Hussein can't even deliver a speech without a teleprompter, guess he was out getting high during his public speech class in college. His inability to explain his position to those in his own party is what is killing this bill, not to mention a whole host of other issues with the dem retards agendas. Biden in '09! Rebub's retake congress in '10, and the white house in '12!

Deuce   August 21st, 2009 4:50 pm ET

Boo-hoo! Boo-hoo! We cry for sympathy. Boo-hoo. Poor Idiot Obama supporters. Want sympathy... Why? Live with your mistake.

You created him..

Sean Hannity   August 21st, 2009 4:49 pm ET

Jon – I would be concerned if I thought you actually lived in the country and could read 1000+ pages; but I know that the RNC doesn't read. Bush doesn't, PALIN doesn't – if your heroes don't read, I'm fairly certain you're just praying that your ignorance and hate can somehow come off as intelligent speak. Sorry. It doesn't. You are a mirror of the baboons you support. Shallow and no substance. A hired Insurance "plant". Actually a weed.

Will Maxwell   August 21st, 2009 4:46 pm ET

The right wing wackos forget that Bush doubled the national debt. The debt was 5 trillion when Bush came into office and he left with a 10 trillion $ debt that he gave our country. That is after Bill Clinton balanced the budget and gave Bush a 200 billion $ surplus when he left. As for Bush, when he left, he gave Pres. Obama the greatest recession the nation has ever had. The financial instutions were in melt down. If Pres. Obama had not taken the steps he did when he came in with the massive bail out money to the financial instutions–we would have had a great depression. This leanding to a massive debt for the country because of Bush and the right wings policies of no regulation of the financial industry under Bush's watch. We may be coming out of this thanks to the Pres. Obama. Hey the DOW is up over 40 per cent since he came into office. The right wingers should be happy as the dems make them some money as when Bill Clinton was in office when the stock market tripled in his 8 years in office.

Sean Hannity   August 21st, 2009 4:46 pm ET

Republican's can't read. That's how we know that these are astrotuf posts. Same people working for the RNC/Fox and the Insurance companies. Welcome to the USSRNCExtremists world. Thank God we don't need the RNC!! Hey Rove, read any good material from your hack Ridge? Something about "using the terror alerts" to generate fear among your sheep to vote for the moron GWBush.

By the way, anyone whom can defend 8 years of Bush Tyranny, loses their right as US citizens and must spend 8 years in Gitmo – where you belong.

Gina D.   August 21st, 2009 4:45 pm ET

Well.... Liberals, always had the upper in the education system for the last 50 yrs., that is why America's education system can't get it up to snuff with the rest of the "Civilized" world.
Maybe it's all the diversity appreciation & sexually educational courses that have slowed them down.....Oh Well, maybe for those that concentrated on History, Math, Science, Reading & Writing are finally winning the techno world after all.

John M, Danville, CA   August 21st, 2009 4:45 pm ET

What the libs don't realize, and never will, is that moderates from both parties and independents voted for Obama to punish the Republican Party for 8 years of Bush. Most voted with a shaking hand. Was Hillary right about this inexperienced leftist with ties to some of the biggest scumbags in the country? I am sure that most are kicking themselves right now. Take off the lib rose colored glasses for one minute and you will see that the majority of people in this country don't like the direction, and they don't trust Obama, Nancy or Harry. With or without Obamacare, 2010 is going to make 1994 look good to the Democrats. One terrorist attack on US soil, another set back in the economy or passing of Obamacare is going to ignite a firestorm and Obama's approval ratings will be in single digits.

Raj   August 21st, 2009 4:42 pm ET

Is there anything else these marxist can complain about? We got a marxist media, marxist congress, marxist president and yet they still complain. Shut ya mouth. I know your not happy with Obama but you voted for it, not me.

yuri   August 21st, 2009 4:40 pm ET

Our only obstacle is the use of twitter by the obstructionist organization of GOP who seemingly are hell-bent to thwart BHO's health plans. Those jerks have nothing better to offer, except some nasty rhetorics about public option.

Jon   August 21st, 2009 4:35 pm ET

When it comes to getting the message on heatlh care out, every channel available needs to used, since Obamas health care is like a nuclear weapon in it's effect, in that, once it is used there won't be anyone left alive to oppose it.

Eric   August 21st, 2009 4:35 pm ET

Liberal bloogers? This is a spelling error, but not sure what the right spelling would be... :)

Anthony Riviera   August 21st, 2009 4:34 pm ET

The liberals believe that everything they say is worth listening to. With Obama the Liar in the White House, they are coming to understand that no matter how many times you yell that ObamaCare is not socialized medicine, the American people do not believe it and that is why The Emperor's New Clothes have been exposed as being empty of substance.

Mike   August 21st, 2009 4:33 pm ET

Glenn, that was sooooooooo generic. What I love is "progressives" always seem to be first at name calling to argue their point without substance. I also love how they pigeon hole anyone who doesn't think like them. Save the unproductive members of society by keeping them in fiscal bondage to paid by the sweat of true hardworking Americans. Absolutely not. Thats why families are so important. We don't need social security. We need familial security. Thats how it was. And it works. Also I have to ponder all the liberal plants at the town hall meetings. The ones yelling and screaming and fighting one another...............plants. Also Glenn, how are you so well versed in the social customs associated with Sundays and one of our nation's glorious passtimes? Are you a closet redneck in denial?

Carol   August 21st, 2009 4:28 pm ET

Spoken like a true republican. – I have to give them credit though, they know how to brand.

Republican speak – if you're a Dem, you're on welfare, uneducated, un-american, irresponsible, un-christian, unpatriotic, so on and so on.

It's an easy way to justify and add credibility to their ignorance.

janus August 21st, 2009 2:59 pm ET

Liberals are a minority. that's probably because they are still living with mommy and daddy and have taken on no responsiblity.

Michael D   August 21st, 2009 4:27 pm ET

"Despite having an upper hand on Twitter, conservatives still have a ways to go when it comes to catching up to liberals in the blogoshpere. Take for instance last week's competing online conferences in Pittsburgh. Former President Clinton and White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett addressed about 1,500 activists attending the Netroots Nation conference. At the same time, approximately 700 conservatives gathered at the RightOnline.com conference to discuss the future of online activism."

So a popular ex-President can only attract 800 more people than the conservatives who didn't have anyone famous speak? Pretty sad it sounds like to me.

NHred   August 21st, 2009 4:27 pm ET

Liberalism is a drug induced paranoia!

Jon   August 21st, 2009 4:22 pm ET

""exerting their right" to exhibit their ignorance "

You mean like Obama did when he claimed to have visited "57 states" and discuss "my Muslim faith", or how about the plethora of lies he has repeated over and over, even when presented with factual evidence, in regard to what is really in HR3200?

conservativejames   August 21st, 2009 4:20 pm ET

Brian Chalker, stick to what you know. Growing Hippie Lettuce in your Mom's backyard & playing xbox. Just so you know we use Hilter as an example because he was a Socialist. Are you incapable of understanding that socialized medicine is in the same category? I am not saying that Obama is going to start a world war, but he is dividing the nation even moreso than the Bush administration did. We are a free country, not an everything for free country. There is 100 alternatives to many of the policies that libs are putting on the table. Find more than 1 or 2 sources on real information besides moveon.org or NPR

Jon   August 21st, 2009 4:19 pm ET

Isn't it great that Obama still tries to blame the economy on Bush, even after Obama has run the debt into the ionosphere? He tried that "we inherited the debt" line at a town hall meeting and nearly got booed out of the building. The American people are finally beginning to "get it". Obama claims to be fixing the economy but the only thing he seems intent on "fixing", is the blame. Twitter and other systems of information seem to be getting the message across in spite of the liberal propaganda that the main stream media deals in.

scott   August 21st, 2009 4:17 pm ET

we have to use 140 words or less so you dems can find someone to read it to you.

Glenn Beck   August 21st, 2009 4:14 pm ET

By proof of some of the blogging here, the RNC "hires" hacks to do their dirty work – that or our country really needs to revisit it's "no child left behind" education policy (ironic because of an idiot president) because the neocon rightwingextreme nut jobs are "exerting their right" to exhibit their ignorance by the posts here. I'd like to think the NeoCon bloggers here are home schooled, religulous right-wingextremists whom are "Work from home! Make $$$" citizens who go their information of the local telephone poll and is working for an RNC Marketing firm to flood intelligent conversation with SHOUTING before picking up their minimum wage check, grabbing some Old Milwaukee and passing out watching Nascar.

it will not matter   August 21st, 2009 4:13 pm ET

as a battle of ideas rages

the GOP has a signicant deficit

the GOP will go down in flames

up will rise the independants

Mij Noslo   August 21st, 2009 4:12 pm ET

Touched a nerve with the liberal temper tantrum crowd did we??!!

conservativejames   August 21st, 2009 4:12 pm ET

If the Obama administration is so technically savy then why aren't they winning this battle. The answer is easy; because they are still smitten with the fact they are the controlling party. They are basking in the glow of the win while we organize to build the party up the way it should be. We are going back to our roots to see that our message is strong, loud & not able to be ignored by the Liberal media. It actually is very refreshing to see the swagger among Conservatives come back. We have a purpose & that is to drive Nancy Pelosi to double her dosage of xanex & for Barney Frank to keel over from exhaustion. Enjoy it now liberals because you won't be in power much longer.

Gary   August 21st, 2009 4:09 pm ET

Conservatives do not have the upper hand on Twitter – - they have the upper hand on policy! We cannot keep accelerating deficit spending. We have to cut pork programs (even good ones!) because we have limited money. We do not need more government involved in healthcare. We do not need higher taxes on anyone. The Bank bailouts, the backroom deals with Axelrod's consulting company and with big Pharma are making us sick. Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Barney Frank's outrageous insults to protestors? Countrywide mortgage special favors to Sen. Dodd? This all adds up to corruption and poor policy and unless the Democrats can clean up their act they will lose the congress and the white house. Twitter is not the issue.

Ed Hawkins   August 21st, 2009 4:09 pm ET

My very wise Latina house cleaner is off today, so since she is wiser than I, my opinion is not very good. I'll just have to defer my opinion until next week. This being an old decrepted white guy is the pits!
Ed Hawkins Denver

Eric   August 21st, 2009 4:09 pm ET

That might be so about conservative bloggers needing to catch up, but it's happening. Places like Newsbusters are doing their part to bring out the truth as conservatives see it. :)

Bryan Chalker   August 21st, 2009 4:06 pm ET

"Thats why they call them the new nitwits.hahaha – twitwits are the new nitwits"...no that is clever. Obama's heavy use during the campaign does lend a bit of credence to it, though...

"They typical Democratic demographic either doesn't have money for cable, or else they're more likely to get their news from other sources such as the internet. – jjj"...hmmmm, no money for cable, but they've got the cash for the web. Wouldn't that give them Twitter?

"Of course they're better at twitter… it takes less than 140 characters to spread fear and hate… – chris"...obviously, you've had your head in the sand for the previous 8 years. More hate spit out buy the tolerant liberal voices in one of those weeks, that in Obama's run so far. Lame, lame, lame.

"So what?…That's the GOP All Twit (Talk), No Action. GOP = Twits or Nitwits – jeff" nice, though mangled, attempt at making a point. But the Tweets are what is getting people in action.

"Gee, the Republicans are better at condensing complicated issues into meaningless sound/text bites? – D-Nice" ...

actually, "preserve Freedom", "don't use my money to pay for your mortgage/health care/etc.", "even higher taxes for wealth. Ummm, yea – my motivation to succeed is gone" would all be under 140-characters...and well under the 1000 pages of an unread heath care bill.

Basically, you liberals who used sit-ins, protests, etc. for everthing from the nukes to vietnam to church, have a difficult time accepting conservatives doing likewise. Using a medium to get the word out is elementary.

...No need to get upset. You still own the mainstream media.

hulagate   August 21st, 2009 4:04 pm ET

Ready To e-Rumble? Add your sweet Tweetness to the Official White House Enemies List today, with the new #OWHEL hash tag.

PATRIOTS ONLY, please.

Kris D., Toronto   August 21st, 2009 4:00 pm ET

I think the 140 character limit is why it's perfect for today's conservatives. After using words and phrases like 'facist', 'socialist', 'hitler' and 'death panels' they've prety much used up their entire vocabulary.

Robinette Hussein   August 21st, 2009 3:59 pm ET

John August 21st, 2009 1:45 pm ET

"Progressive? What is that?

You guys are all BOZO.

Progressive means Liberal but they are ashamed to call themselves that.

Liberalism is a mental disorder."

John, you have just insulted the mentally disordered.

Jaycee   August 21st, 2009 3:59 pm ET

LOL, liberal bloogers. Too bad they couldn't have forgotten the L. Liberal boogers is very appropriate.

conservativejames   August 21st, 2009 3:58 pm ET

I think that the Conservative movement is doing a better job all the way around. Not just on tweets or blogging but of rallying the troops & getting their message out. Since the Libs suck as talk radio show hosts, we already own that market. Now we are beginning to control the blogs. 2010 here we come.

Stuart   August 21st, 2009 3:57 pm ET

Of course the Conservatives have the upper hand. They are speading the truth. The Libs change their position on the isues every 24 hours & have Gibbs as their Liar in Chief.

cushinski   August 21st, 2009 3:55 pm ET

Conservatives are to busy going to work and making sinful profits to spend time at a conference to learn how to become a better online atavist.

Garet   August 21st, 2009 3:54 pm ET

Truth doesn't require gymnastic use of language in the same manner that "progressive" subversion does. One can't effectively reduce broad circular arguments into a 140 characters. One can say "It's not in the Constitution" quite effectively. Conservatives own Facebook too. This, of course, makes sense demographically as conservatives outnumber libtards 2 to 1, which is why, when the Repubs runsactual conservatives instead of a faux-cons and Rinos like McCain, Graham and Specter, they will return to power. People finally understand that the Dems are just the government party.

Keith   August 21st, 2009 3:53 pm ET

Obama could never use twitter because he can't even tell you the time in under 160 characters.

Cindy   August 21st, 2009 3:52 pm ET

They're turning twitter into junk mail. Garbage in; garbage out.

Uncle Obama   August 21st, 2009 3:52 pm ET

Just like how off the teleprompter Obama is just so eloquent and precise in his description of why America needs this health care program.

So to jjj's point... You agree with IndyVoter in that lower income constituents are democrats and cannot afford laptops/ "expensive" phone plans... and you add to that cannot afford cable. Yet they get their news from the internet?

If you want all these handouts... Europe has a negative natural born growth rate. So immigrate there. We left Europe and became the GREATEST nation on Earth by not following Europe's lead.

Tweet tweeeters

srn   August 21st, 2009 3:52 pm ET

indyvoter–where are you getting your data, don't you know most people have the cell phone, have access to a computer and make a lot of noise as others pay for them to stay home and do just that.

glen   August 21st, 2009 3:51 pm ET

I'd guess the divide between the haves and have-nots has less to do with the two parties' respective social media/blog usage than does the demographic divide, given younger people typically vote democrat and are more comfortable with social media sites like Twitter. I think this shows an interesting change in how the Republicans do business, and a long overdue one at that.

Vince Hugh   August 21st, 2009 3:51 pm ET

Conservatives may have the upper hand with twitter and blogs, but liberals have the upper hand with the national TV news media.

Esther   August 21st, 2009 3:51 pm ET

who watches CNN anymore?

Jack Jodell, Minneapolis, MN   August 21st, 2009 3:51 pm ET

Outrageouslies spread like wildfire. Goebbels would be proud.

LeeHarvey   August 21st, 2009 3:50 pm ET

Yes: 150 words! Because the average Americans attention span can't handle more then that! Conservatives know this: we don't try to bore the American people with a lot of rhetoric, like the DemoRats! Americans are a fast food, "give it to me NOW"! type of society and we have learned to capitalize on that. Which is why we will take the house/senate back and dump all this healthcare garbage!

Vince Hugh   August 21st, 2009 3:49 pm ET

Conservatives may have the upper hand on twitter and blogs, but liberals have the upper hand with the national media and CNN.

g.g.   August 21st, 2009 3:48 pm ET

Are the netroots bloggers still anti-war? Just checking.

Anarchy101   August 21st, 2009 3:47 pm ET

Your comment is awaiting moderation. ~ Rise up! Anarchists, lunatics & terrorists!

tim   August 21st, 2009 3:45 pm ET

Wow, what a surprise. And anyone who thinks Palin has a political future is a twit. She is the reason your side lost. I would have voted for McCain but not with that nitwit anywhere near the white house and if you don't think that's a majority opinion, just try putting her up again.

Bob McBob   August 21st, 2009 3:45 pm ET

NeoComms are just getting all wee-weed up because their Open Conspiracy is finally showing through. Lenin is laughing at Wells.
We don't need a ruling elite to administer social justice to us peon serfs, we need less government and more personal freedom and responsibility. If you think the people are incapable of self determination and need to be sheepled, you ARE worse than Hitler.

srcamachonj   August 21st, 2009 3:43 pm ET

For the far left to assume that it's only republicans, and conservatives that are upset, is for them to again believe they have a superior outlook on the issues. The truth of the matter is, this administration, as well as both houses of Congress have shown themselves to be so far left, that even the moderates can't fathom their views.

liberalsbeewhiners   August 21st, 2009 3:42 pm ET

who cares about twitter and facebook. go outside and get some sun, it'll do wonders for that bad complexion and me against the world attitude

IndyGuy   August 21st, 2009 3:41 pm ET

Come on guys, don't get all "wee weed" up about it!

All this talk about the GOP not speaking well – where's the talk about our "President" and his wording?

Juge   August 21st, 2009 3:40 pm ET

Forget the tweets – leave it to the twits!

Larry-bob   August 21st, 2009 3:38 pm ET

So you quote two bloggers and that's a consensus? There is plenty of talk from both sides on Twitter but not a lot of dialogue

Tim   August 21st, 2009 3:37 pm ET

Oh I forgot this is a cnn site, you only post left wing comments. My bad

mnman   August 21st, 2009 3:37 pm ET

What a bunch of liberal idiots.

Steve   August 21st, 2009 3:36 pm ET

Liberals miss the point. Conservatives aren't "out-organizing" them on social networking sites. Conservatives and other free-thinking Americans are GENUINELY moved to action. It's called democracy in action.

Tim   August 21st, 2009 3:31 pm ET

Liberals are very good at personal attacks but they have nothing to back up their left wing agenda

Brendan D   August 21st, 2009 3:31 pm ET

Okay, seriously, folks, let's get a handle on this. Once again, CNN proves just how out-of-touch and behind-the-times it is. The battle for the hearts and minds of people isn't being waged on Twitter! Are you folks stupid, or just that gullible? Twitter is one rather large networking site, but it is JUST A NETWORKING SITE! It doesn't have any special powers or abilities to alter people's consciousness. Its users may reflect certain strains of opinion, but messages and followers on Twitter do not necessarily represent mainstream Americans - particularly because the folks Democrats and Republicans seek to court on healthcare are older and therefore don't use, or, in some cases, even have access to, Internet.

Please, folks, let's try to be logical about this. Twitter isn't a scientific poll or even a town hall meeting - it's just a website, sort of like how CNN is just another entertainment station.

wildoo   August 21st, 2009 3:30 pm ET

Wow, let's see if I can guess what demographic I might be 'subjected' to here. . . . ? It wouldn't be the EMPTY-SUIT (image = everything) 18-30yr. liberal crowd who has a monopoly on tech. / gadgetry would it..? I have found consistently, that young conservatives in this demo. appear FAR MORE informed passionate and astute than liberals in the same group. And, of the ones in either camp, who eventually switch affiliations, by FAR, a majority of liberals will convert to conservatives. It's a shame they must waste that precious time.....

Gees   August 21st, 2009 3:30 pm ET

Thats a wonder since the dems have twits in high places.

Dave   August 21st, 2009 3:29 pm ET

Aw, c'mon kids...Don't get all wee-weed up because, once again, Conservatism beats Socialism.

arduous   August 21st, 2009 3:29 pm ET

Palin can't win and Romney can't win the next election due to their liberal stances on abortion/government control. Grassroot conservatives will lead the way in exposing their lies and hypocrisy to the public.
Palin promotes pro-abort judges, Romney advocates $50 abortions in his Romney care (which was socialism).
Welcome to four more years of Obama. At least the Democrats don't lie about what stance they take.

Double-edge   August 21st, 2009 3:29 pm ET

Liberals believe that Republicans are close-knit; that's a myopic assessment. The Republicans, for the most part, have been comprised of conservatives, independent individualists who happen to reason similarly. I see their success Twitter coming from two other Republican or conservative characteristics: One, that this silent majority, mostly conservatives, do actually feel compelled speak up when it becomes imperative, but have traditionally lacked a free medium in which to converse and share information; Twitter provides that medium. Two, that conservatives' facility in articulation arises from their individual propensity to actually study-out the issues – they are individualists who selfishly relish responsibiltiy for their own thoughts and actions – and therefore can actually speak to the issues. This substantive content is what carries the day on Twitter, on Talk Radio, on the Internet, and on any other uncontrolled, relatively free media. Content, content, content.

Really?   August 21st, 2009 3:29 pm ET

Has anyone ever noticed the dominence of the left in ultimate tweet contest, the bumper stickers. The left rarely uses more than 5 words to blat thier tired mindless montras.

Twits, indeed.

Aaron Smith   August 21st, 2009 3:28 pm ET

Now that we have the right president in office protesters are unAmerican

Curt   August 21st, 2009 3:27 pm ET

Don't need 140 words when the entire Democrat agenda can be summed up with one word. Garbage.

Steven   August 21st, 2009 3:27 pm ET

Thats because our message is easily conveyed in 140 characters, the average internet user understands it. This proves Palin 2012 is going to win. Take that liberals, your already beginning to see what a mess you've made!

Dano   August 21st, 2009 3:26 pm ET

The liberals are losing on Twitter because it takes more than 140 characters to spin their complex web of Marxist lies.

TomInStL   August 21st, 2009 3:25 pm ET

Come on, claiming that it is hard to combat the conservative twitter machine with counter-twitters is not really that hard. Liberals should have the skill to reduce their message to tweet-sized bites. ( Example: GOP talking point = The Bill mandates Death Panels; Dem talking point = GOP tries to control by fear, makes up Death Panel fiction to scare citizens.)

I would prefer that we do not currently live in a bite-sized spin-filled world, but it is what it is so we better recognize and use it for the better.

Neeraj   August 21st, 2009 3:25 pm ET

The reason why Twitter is in the hands of the Republicans is because the comments are limited and unlike Facebook, Twitter's character restrictions and comment limits are more limiting, which is why the GOP can outright lie and nobody can call them on it.

Sphynx   August 21st, 2009 3:25 pm ET

Comments here from the nutroots are typical of what you'll find on lefty sites. Mostly nasty. Mostly invective. Little substance. Very little evidence to support their assertions.

The Believer   August 21st, 2009 3:24 pm ET

Well if it's good enough for Ashton and Newt count me in! CNN grow up...who gives a hoot about who has more followers on twitter. Any person with any type of sense or career doesn't have time to follow someone on twitter. Twitter aint all that any way!

Eric   August 21st, 2009 3:23 pm ET

All the previous comments show why this country is in such a mess... everyone should grow a pair and try to fix this country instead of making stupid comments about who does twitter better. You are ALL nitwits.

bigdog   August 21st, 2009 3:23 pm ET

Yep...the dems are generally losers in life so they dont have the resources. Nice

Aaron   August 21st, 2009 3:22 pm ET

Wow, a lot of CNN's readership is extremely liberal. It's like a MoveOn forum in here. <_< "GOP are nitwits, lololol." You know, folks, that message is under 140 characters. How about you all do something productive and go tweet it?

Charlie   August 21st, 2009 3:21 pm ET

Left vs. Right debates are how the Looter Class conquer the simple-minded among us.
You sheeple ought to wake up and realize that it matters not which side you worship. They will all lie to you, and they do not have your interests in mind, but their own.

hoser   August 21st, 2009 3:21 pm ET

What next, electricity?

Ines   August 21st, 2009 3:20 pm ET

And this is some kind of news, how?
Nobody cares who is on twitter except the ones using it.

debbie   August 21st, 2009 3:20 pm ET

Of all the social media, Twitter is the one I would NOT use to get my message out. If you're following more than a handful of folks, the tweets get lost. The people who will follow the Republicans are the nitwits who follow then today. They're not going to win over anyone on Twitter. They're so goofy, I have Sarah Palin following ME because a bot picked up her name in one of my tweets. That tweet, by the way, called her an ignoramus. You go, GOP.

Bob   August 21st, 2009 3:19 pm ET

LOL, liberal losers, you win and your still losers, what's that tell ya. Your ideas suck and everyone knows it. Why don't you libs just move to Canada and be happy and gay. Leave 'OUR' country alone. You don't belong here, your not an American. You want to give everyone an ism when ALL of you are GODism's and GODophobes. At least we stand up for our country, what do you do? Trash it everyday. When the sh1t hits the fan you better hope no one finds out your a liberal. The reason we control twitter is because we have a brain and a computer. How many ACORNS do you think can even type. LIBS=ACORNS=NUTS

hoser   August 21st, 2009 3:19 pm ET

a big move up from the 2 #10's attached to each other by string. The GOP deserves to have some fun, whether they like it or not.

LaurieBailey   August 21st, 2009 3:18 pm ET

Gee Whiz, Twitter fits the lifestyle of most Conservatives. We work for a living, ya know....

Don   August 21st, 2009 3:16 pm ET

Ezra and others Reps can usually do it in 150 words or less instead of a 1000 page legislative bill that even Congressmen/women in the Dem Party don't bother to read before voting or briefing their constituents GO FIGURE wink wink

B WOODY   August 21st, 2009 3:16 pm ET

You libs, such sour grapes.

Take a look in the mirror and see who the real haters and racist really are.

John   August 21st, 2009 3:15 pm ET

I thought the GOP was just old white guys that can't type emails... now they are King of the Intertubes? They couldn't organize enough to get John McCain elected, but they can now organize a nation-wide conspiracy to infiltrate town-hall meetings... All within 200 days... Nice.

MichaelD   August 21st, 2009 3:15 pm ET

The juvinille attitude of these comments demonstrate and support the article. If you wish to make a comment, make one. If you want to stick out your tongue and make generalized statements with no basis in fact or relevance, by all means, continue. It makes it easier for the GOP to discuss facts while you look like a two year old throwing a tantrum because you are not getting your way.

READ THE BILL!

True Conservative   August 21st, 2009 3:14 pm ET

I love how you idiots slam the Conservatives as being knuckle draggers. Don't you know that Conservative Talk Rdio has THE most educated listeners on the airwaves AND that the NY Times Best Seller List is constantly riddled with Conservative Authors, usually taking up residency in the # 1 Spot for weeks and months at a time? Unless you think it might be Liberals lining the pockets of such ignoramuses (note the sarcasm) as Glen Beck, Michelle Malkin and Mark Levin.

J. Schneider   August 21st, 2009 3:13 pm ET

Re: Palin Power; rofl (Sarah Palin will have 2 terms in office from 2013-2021). You keep the hope alive my friend, but she couldn't run a T.V. remote much less our country. She's exactly what we need a President who in know way shape of form understands our system of government, or what the Constitution contains or means. I just hope the media doesn't infringe on her 2nd amendment rights, lol.

jonathan   August 21st, 2009 3:13 pm ET

Its absolutely hilarious how the demoncrats are quaking in their boots realizing what they bought for the rest of the nation. The failed policies in the last 8 years pale by comparison to the outright failure of the last 6 months. Unfornately, all this hopey changy thing is going to do is further divide this great country. The failure that kills me is the idea that we have to spend copious amounts of money (that we don't have) to try to repair a problem caused by spending too much money. My 2 year old could do a better job.

Thomas Paine   August 21st, 2009 3:13 pm ET

You're all wrong: Conservatives do better at Twitterbecause common sense takes less than 140 words. Ye will know the thruth; and the truth shall set you free.

In order to really screw up someone's mind, it takes a college textbook sized blog, or four years of lectures from a socialist professor, or 2 years of campaign speeches, or 7 years of anti-Bush protests, or 24/7/365 propaganda from the MSM....

Arizonan   August 21st, 2009 3:12 pm ET

Less than 150 words to spread fear and smear, it takes a whole lot more to talk about an issue and have real substance.

wow   August 21st, 2009 3:07 pm ET

You guys are hilarious.. But not really. Dont worry the democrats are slowly taking care of 2010 for us. Thank you liberals!

charles   August 21st, 2009 3:07 pm ET

The bombastic foolishness and NAZI street thug tactics of this administration are waking up conservatives and the world to what the left is doing.

Thank God people can see the empty shirt for what he is.

Texastwitter   August 21st, 2009 3:07 pm ET

Twitter effective for GOP because they are working to support DEMs entitlements and can send quick tweets to enter political battles ... Watch out Dems ... This liberal is on to you!!!!

lightningbolt1   August 21st, 2009 3:05 pm ET

I know a liberal won't acknowledge the truth, they haven't yet but just so you might understand why the people are upset at the meetingsI'll try to clue you in( like that would do any good.)
When government controls the media which ignores all the protest and questions to the current political powers. The people get tired of being politically correct with a bunch of lying, backstabbing, politicians who try to paint the world Rosy bright red with black paint.When the numbers don't add up(use a calculator lib's).And they stand and say (it isn't in the bill), when you can download it and find what surprisingly isn't there, You end up waking up America to just how low politicians and their crooked croonies really are.
When you then descide to get even dumber, and call Americans all sorts of names and start telling stupid lies(like pelosi) the people take the gloves off and give it back to you. Then they want to cry foul, and blame everything and everybody to try and hide their inlightened agenda that was dragged out into the open.
People wanted you to fix health-care so we could cover the one's LESS FORTUNATE). Not throw away a system that covers 85% of the population.We thought you was going to fix and regulate the Insurance companies to where all could find coverage. Not make coverage worse for the one's that have it.I don't understand how bringing everyone down to the less fortunates level helps anyone.I thought we was suppose to bring their level up.
How can you justify also taking 500 billion from medicare and stand in a room with voters and try to say that it wouldn't impact their health-care.All, why trying to move 100,000000 more people on medicare in your health-care reform. Now I don't need a calculator to see something doesn't look right in your liberal logic.And I guess, neither does anyone else in America from what I'm seeing......

Anonymous   August 21st, 2009 3:05 pm ET

I love how you idiots portray Conservatives as idiots. Conservative talk radio has THE most educated listeners AND the NY Times Best Seller List is riddled with conservative authors. Who's buying those books? Liberals(oops, I meant Progressives) Just sayin'

Yo daddy   August 21st, 2009 3:05 pm ET

Well, Lezra, the fiscally irresponsible and morally bankrupt policies of the demOcraps cannot be defended regardless of the number of words used.

anet   August 21st, 2009 3:03 pm ET

and the dems can't explain anything period. They make all their policies 1,000 pages b/c they know nobody in their party can read and they can just blow it by them. Get a grip folks.

hugh betcha   August 21st, 2009 3:03 pm ET

“Conservatives are always good at pushing that one concise message. The death panels are easy to tweet. The explanation for why there are no death panels and making that explanation takes much more explanation. You can’t do that on Twitter.”

lmao

libbers tell the nation obumblecare will save money and let us have all the health care we need and it takes more than just a 140 to explain why that is such a crock of ****. So we came up with death panels.

You don't like it? Tough! You started it!

Dan, WA   August 21st, 2009 3:01 pm ET

Republicans should link Deeds to Barack Obama and his failed policies. Clunkers project now put so many Americans in debt while they had no debt when they were driving their old cars. It is same as Fannie mae and Freddie Mac which was created by Bill Clinton and that project as well put Americans into debt and thus economic collapse. Democrats are trying to blame GOP and George W. Bush but reality is different. Deeds should know that. Virginians, do not elect democrats to your offices. They do not deserve it. They are spending money which we do not have.

justin   August 21st, 2009 3:01 pm ET

if you think being able to explain something in <= 140 characters is bad... see Occam's razor.

Steve (the real one)   August 21st, 2009 2:59 pm ET

@
Jeff August 21st, 2009 1:00 pm ET
So what?…That's the GOP All Twit (Talk), No Action. GOP = Twits or Nitwits
------------------------–
Sorry Jeff! Speaking of all talk and no action...The Dems own everything and still cannot get anything done except speeches and infomercials! Prime example...healthcare!

janus   August 21st, 2009 2:59 pm ET

Liberals are a minority. that's probably because they are still living with mommy and daddy and have taken on no responsiblity.

Brett   August 21st, 2009 2:59 pm ET

Yeah, Republicans are dumb, and they're stupid, and they stink, and they can only think thoughts in 140 letters or less, and ... whoops, I think my 140 letters or less is up. God, I wish all those Republicans were as smart as me, then they wouldn't be so dumb.

Libertarian   August 21st, 2009 2:57 pm ET

It is typical of both the MSM and liberal bloggers to associate the conservative movement with the GOP. The GOP failed to deliver anything resembling conservative, libertarian ideology for 8 years and is playing catch up tyring to win back the votes of the disenfranchised base. Most of the movement today is unorganized, non party affiliated Americans that simply have a different view of the role of the Federal Government and it crosses all party lines. The GOP will not win these voters back unless they return to their roots. Todays conservatives are nothing more than classical liberals as liberal has been so redefined by Americans. The parties are not that different, but pit each of us against each other so we take the eye off the ball (and empower themselves). Todays movement is moving beyond the party affiliation and we are only seeing the beginning.

DeeDee   August 21st, 2009 2:57 pm ET

Lots of anger here against Republicans (but that is to be expected on Communist News Network). Could the Reps be gaining ground on twitter because more and more people are turned off and frightened by the liberals and obama lying and forcing bad social engineering policies on Americans? Let the Pres Bush bashing begin in 4, 3, 2,..........

Davis Bare   August 21st, 2009 2:57 pm ET

I really struggle with all of the name calling but enjoy pondering liberals and the left. I often look at my dog, which science would say has the mind of a 2 yr. old, for answers. He licks and loves anyone and anything, has no concept of God or a higher power and generally just eats, poops, sleeps and entertains (sometimes he eats his poop). I than understand that the liberal left is just like him i.e. I should accept them, love them and take care of them because that’s all they want.

Now seriously. I am a conservative and have nothing against helping those that can't care for themselves. I don't begrudge anyone the right to obtain healthcare, etc. But to run around making sure that everyone has it is totally different. Nobody thinks Obamamonster is Hitler we just think his policies are Hitler lite.

Reparations and redistribution are ridiculous concepts. Let each person carry his or her own weight, take care of their brother sister and love their neighbor as themselves (kind of like churches do). I don’t see a need for someone in Florida to worry about someone in Texas (might just be here illegally).

But then I can’t be right because I look at my dog for answers about Libs and Dems.

jinxie   August 21st, 2009 2:55 pm ET

I only twitter when mildly amused. I only tweet after consuming complex carbohydrates.
I think I'll run for office!
I can just about see Healthcare from here!

Jason   August 21st, 2009 2:55 pm ET

No one understands Obama's Health Care plan since it is so complex. Even Obama doesn't know what is in it. Condensing issues to 140 characters or less so that the general public can understand it is very smart. Obama could learn from this and not give his typical 10 minute long winded answers.

JP   August 21st, 2009 2:54 pm ET

With liberals having no substance to offer, I can truly understand why this is the case. Liberals have become so open minded their brains have fallen out.

Joe   August 21st, 2009 2:53 pm ET

Maybe because most of the people using Twitter are the same people who listen to talk radio all day. People who have NOTHING IMPORTANT TO DO.

big deal   August 21st, 2009 2:52 pm ET

you dont need to blather on with many words to get the point across. when youare wrong you are wrong, when you are right.... dont need a book full of words to be right...

article-1   August 21st, 2009 2:51 pm ET

wnat did you expect,,,not

Owen   August 21st, 2009 2:50 pm ET

Ohhh yea those EVIL Repub's so organized and message driven with there little 150 word fear mongering tweets. Dem's would never be guilty of that......"change you can believe in"......ANYBODY ELSE IN 2012'

Zaphod   August 21st, 2009 2:49 pm ET

The mistake is to assume that the Conservative Twitteratti are being organized by some one ore something. These people really are grass-roots and pissed off. Like "LittleBrushFire," most are not even in contact with each other and add hashtags that they run across in order to help others find more like-minded citizens.

The relevance of Twitter, probably not even planned by those who use it, is that these short, 140 CHARACTERS (Ezra, you plebe) constitute the attention span of the MTV generation, the youth, and the moderates that make up so much of what Liberals target. That's why the Democrats (Obama) came up with their millions long list of text message recipients. Great for organizing their rent-a-mobs, but for advocacy you will only be preaching to the Liberal choir. Twitter reaches all those not yet indoctrinated.

The Conservatives don't have a Soros funded 509 like MoveOn.org that spends tens of millions of dollars to organize "grass-roots" campaigns. If you think Conservatives are dominating now, God help you when they actually DO organize!

AlwaysRIGHT   August 21st, 2009 2:49 pm ET

I don't know what's worse, being able to concisely deliver a message in 140 characters or less or writing a 1,000-page bill and not reading it. Keep drinking the Kool-Aid leftys!

a12iggymom   August 21st, 2009 2:49 pm ET

Nice cencorship, CNN. It's not just twitter it's every single area on the internet. Blogs, news pages, internet radio ect... Conservatives have a better, more reasoned outlook than the negative left. Which is why the left trolls conservative sites.

Steve-O   August 21st, 2009 2:47 pm ET

well I'm a lefty and I subscribe to Sarah Palin and Rove's twitter feeds. I think many of us liberals do. Because we want to know what they're saying. It has nothing to do with following the Right's marching orders.

gittarpikker   August 21st, 2009 2:45 pm ET

WOW, these comments sure show how the cons put out petty meaningless drivel on the internet. Way to show'em.

Independent Voter   August 21st, 2009 2:44 pm ET

for those of you who keep talking about ...the poor/lower middle class folks dont have computers/laptops or expensive cell phones.....
come on....really????? you really are stupid...the reason most of them dont have insurance is because they would rather spend there money on big screen tv's, cell phones and fancy cars....go on down to the poor section and see how many nice rides you see outside a section 8 home. get real!

a12iggymom   August 21st, 2009 2:44 pm ET

It's not just twitter, it's blogs, internet radio show, news pages, ect..., conservatives out pace leftards in everything internet!

lightningbolt1   August 21st, 2009 2:42 pm ET

How do you deal with an entity you can't buy out like the Internet and other media devices.The Dems have lost the American people and believe they should go ahead with their plans despite American finding out what they are actually trying to do.Lets see why to attack Obama on the Issues......hmmmmmm. Lets see if I can find one or two shall we....
He lied about lobbiest, he lied about bipartisanship, he lied about being moderate, he lied about the stimulus, he lied about unemployment,He lied about the American people abroad,He lied about medicare, medicaid, He lied about stopping foreclosures. He even lied to gays about gay rights.He lied about this bill in more ways than we even know yet.He lied about Iraq, He lied about Afghanistan, He lied about transparancy, he lied about letting the American people see the bills before they was voted on.He lied about unemployment,
Come to think of it, I think it would be easier to state the things he didn't lie about....................... Yep, see that was much easier!

Michael Bindner   August 21st, 2009 2:41 pm ET

Real Men don't Tweet.

truthbeagle   August 21st, 2009 2:40 pm ET

Obviously these comments are written by people who know nothing about twitter. Most tweets link to complete articles from liberal and conservative sources, allowing conservatives to see the points of view of both and make our own decisions. They do not contain 'sound/text' bites. Liberals have their blinders on and are only allowed to see information from their own twisted points of view (with 'we watch Fox so you don't have to' statements and attitudes)

Jeff in Houston   August 21st, 2009 2:40 pm ET

Wait! I just had an idea! Lets build in a feature that filters out the truth, as well as any big words Sarah does not know. Efficiency matters. this will save them a good deal of time, and Sarah will have one less blank expression on her face.

Thomas Paine   August 21st, 2009 2:40 pm ET

Or, maybe it takes Conservatives less than 140 characters to get an answer, while it takes a liberal an hour long speech to not answer a question

Kurt   August 21st, 2009 2:39 pm ET

Yep, figures, fear and soundbites are the easiest to deliver in such short text...

Jeff in Houston   August 21st, 2009 2:38 pm ET

I'm impressed. Thought they were still sturggling with fire. But answer this one: How long before they can a.) turn it in to a weapon of some kind, of b.) a fear generation engine. Ooops. Looks like we have the answer: B.

But I question the wisdom. How much longer will they be able to reach their base if those same people cannot afford to live on what the top one-percent allows us to have? On the other hand, maybe its all jsut for the right wing elite, so they can sit in a circle and....oh never mind. I have limits.

Dennis   August 21st, 2009 2:37 pm ET

Conservatives...you mean REAL Americans. Beware of Liberals posing as Americans.

Phid   August 21st, 2009 2:37 pm ET

"Of course they're better at twitter… it takes less than 140 characters to spread fear and hate… 140+ to have substance."

Is "substance" what liberals call the leftist stream coming out of the Daily Show?

dude   August 21st, 2009 2:37 pm ET

Or could it be that conservative twitting is more effective because it does not take many words to compare lines from the actual proposed bill and the discrepancies about one is saying about the bill. I agree it does takes a lot more words to say I know I said that, but I really meant this, and sure those words are in the bill, but….

Rick F   August 21st, 2009 2:35 pm ET

Ezra – Maybe the Republicans can follow the Democratic model and explain things in 1,000 page texts?

Grace   August 21st, 2009 2:34 pm ET

Bu-Bye Dems. ( I guess that just summed it up in less than 140 words)

Rushbaby   August 21st, 2009 2:33 pm ET

I am sure the libs will try to find away to include this in the fairness doctrine. They have to silence the truth no matter how it is reported.

John   August 21st, 2009 2:32 pm ET

That's because anything more than 140 characters is incomprehensible for most Republican's. Same reason Palin doesn't read newspapers or magazines. Same reason Bush couldn't have gotten into college without his Daddy. Same reason Republican rhetoric is confined to pit bulls with lipstick, death panels, and all sorts of other 1 liners.

To every complex question there is a simple answer – and it's wrong! That's the Republican way.

vic nashville , Tn   August 21st, 2009 2:32 pm ET

Democrats working hard they don’t have time to chat

Even they don’t have time spread rumors

But they will find a time to vote

No Twitter, NC   August 21st, 2009 2:32 pm ET

Who has the time to Twitter or the money for this type of gadget. I can barley pay for voice mail on my cell phone. OOPs, got to get back to work my 3 minute break is over.

Tman   August 21st, 2009 2:32 pm ET

This goes to prove that the facts and common sense will always rule. Why do you think that liberal talk radio is never successful. Want to see liberals squirm? Throw facts and common sense at them...it's hilarious to watch.

Evelyn   August 21st, 2009 2:31 pm ET

Well of course Republican twits are finding success on Twitter. With its 140 character limit, their intellectual weaknesses can't be revealed.

Dan R   August 21st, 2009 2:31 pm ET

Yeah democats are so good at substance that they write 1500 page bill an never read it before they vote on it.

Debbie   August 21st, 2009 2:31 pm ET

Uhhh the title of this article is misleading to say the least. It's really an article about the GOP and Twitter. Twitter has become a mini blog of 140 characters or less of what people are doing. That does not translate into concervatives gaining political steam. To say that people such as Kutcher or Gingrich use Twitter does not mean they are reaching people outside of those who follow them. It only means that those who are using Twitter are mostly conservatives. It does not mean that independent or Democrates are using Twitter to communicate. Twitter is not the hottest technology for young voters. I'm glad the GOP has moved into this century as far as technology goes but Twitter is not what is being used to communicate. It's a tool that had a big impact and is now fading away. Tweets are of no more importance than my leaving a message on Facebook.

AShiraishi   August 21st, 2009 2:30 pm ET

I guess when 140 characters is all your IQ level can manage a forum like Twitter would obviously end up catering to the fascist conservative far-right wing nuts.

Richard Williams   August 21st, 2009 2:30 pm ET

We own talk radio. Twitting is for Twits. No comparison.

Neil   August 21st, 2009 2:29 pm ET

Hur hur republicans are stupid and evil. Hating them makes me feel like a better person.

Allison   August 21st, 2009 2:29 pm ET

Simple words making up short sentences to convey half-baked ideas and paranoia to the largely uninformed, on a social platform a 4 year old child could conquer in 2 minutes.

Example Twitiocy: Obama Death Squad

Also sounds like a CNN sound bite, how odd.

[[claps]]

JHepp   August 21st, 2009 2:28 pm ET

Twitter is vacuous media hype and this "article" lacks any quantitative data to support it's narrative.

Conan   August 21st, 2009 2:27 pm ET

Conan says there's a new social website that combines YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. They've named it:
YouTwitFace

Sherri Roche   August 21st, 2009 2:27 pm ET

You and your CNN team, along with NBC, MSNBC, Peolsi, Reid, and the rest of the gang, JUST DON'T GET IT! The majority of Americans are FED UP with more government intrusion into our lives. We have true unemployment of 16%, we have lost 30% of our savings, and bankruptcies are STILL going up despite TARP, The Stimulus, Bailouts, and the 2 trillion dollar budget for this year. We are fed up with government growing on the backs of the American taxpayer! And lastly,,,Obama release your dang birth certificate and show what you are hiding.

Courteous Wolf   August 21st, 2009 2:26 pm ET

My, my, there's an awful lot of angst and hate on this site, eh? Do you libs think you own the internet? Phooey!

Rick   August 21st, 2009 2:25 pm ET

So when the Reps beat the Dems at their own game, the Dems resort to denouncing the game. Hello pot... the kettle is calling.
LOL... too darn funny.

Darth Vadik, CA   August 21st, 2009 2:23 pm ET

For now maybe, we'll see

chris in PA   August 21st, 2009 2:22 pm ET

You can easily tell which comments are from liberals: if the comment is either condescending, snide, or based on a misconception (i.e. See jjj comment 5), then it came from a
liberal. If the comment is talking about a fact without being condescending or snide, it is VERY likely from a conservative. Conservatives think liberals have bad ideas whereas liberals think conservatives are bad people.

productive member of society   August 21st, 2009 2:22 pm ET

Republicans are busy doing things like working to pay thier mortgage (and probably yours), bail out the auto industry, support wellfare cases and (coming soon) pay for your health care. Thats why they dont have time to blog all day long in their parents basements. I can see why twitter would appeal to them.

Jaybyrd   August 21st, 2009 2:22 pm ET

Conservative= Racist

cmkc   August 21st, 2009 2:20 pm ET

Chris just summed it up: "Of course they're (Republicans) better at twitter… it takes less than 140 characters to spread fear and hate… 140+ to have substance." Perfect – They can inflame, lie and incite those with minimal thought processes and short attention spans.

StephenRex   August 21st, 2009 2:19 pm ET

Now now, Dems, don't be sore losers. While you're at it, get used to losing gracefully: the 2010 midterms are close at hand.

Claude Pepper   August 21st, 2009 2:19 pm ET

The Left is going down hard in 2010, and I don't need Twitter to know that.

Election day 2010 tweet: 35-50 House seat takeovers for Reps, and even more if the Left keeps stumbling; at least 2 Senate seat pickups, and arguably more.

call me crazy   August 21st, 2009 2:19 pm ET

That is because 140 characters equals the maximum attention span of the average conservative.

jimbobfish   August 21st, 2009 2:18 pm ET

I don't understand. If 'the progressive blogosphere is superior' how could 'there is some catching up to do on the progressive side.'?

ANGIE IN PA   August 21st, 2009 2:17 pm ET

So they can twit big deal they sure cant run the Country right! Besides all they are twittering is their Fear Mongering and Lies!

Tommy Paine   August 21st, 2009 2:15 pm ET

The Sheeples are up early! Laid off again due to the great one? Or, never had a job to begin with? The Demmies can't explain their position in 1,000 + pages. The mantra of the progressive "do as we say, not as we do". Wake up sheeples, think for yourself, and discard the nomenclature for faux political activism. Libertarianism for all!!!

Ninos   August 21st, 2009 2:14 pm ET

Any twit can tweet! Look at Sarah Failin!

Quick2822   August 21st, 2009 2:14 pm ET

Because the Republicans don't have more than 140 characters worth of stuff to say.

Insulting the President and saying "let's do nothing" is easy.

rocky   August 21st, 2009 2:14 pm ET

so what? the country has moved on from the GOP.

Bill   August 21st, 2009 2:14 pm ET

Most Republicans work for a living. Many Democrats are on the US government dole. We know that Obama and the Federal Government is out to destroy the American economy through taxiation and regulation. So, we are stocking up on food, water, and ammo. We know you Demoncrats hate your fellow Republican Americans much more than any terrorist who means you physical harm. So, Obama will set off some terrible situation (remember the "Police acted stupidly" remark?) and this republic will die. The only thing that will matter at that point is food, water, and ammo. AND YOUR SIDE WILL LOSE.

johnny   August 21st, 2009 2:12 pm ET

140 characters to change the 57 states of Islam

geg6   August 21st, 2009 2:10 pm ET

Who cares? Twitter? Seriously? I'm pretty tech savvy. I don't use Twitter and can never foresee a time when I would. If I want to send a short message to someone, I have text messaging. If I have something important to say, I have a blog and my Facebook page. And if I'm discussing policy, 140 characters won't do it because I actually have a brain and there is nothing meaningful that can be conveyed about policy in 140 characters. The GOP can have Twitter. It's completely irrelevant to me and everyone I know. I know no one who Twitters or would want to.

Who put the twit in twitter? Sarah!   August 21st, 2009 2:10 pm ET

@ Palin Power

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahhaahahahahahahahahahahhahahhahahahahahahahaha

brian   August 21st, 2009 2:10 pm ET

Tweets work for us because we don't use double speak or intentionally confusing language so we can complain about being taken out of context. Oh... And maybe it is popular for conservatives because we work and can afford the text fees. And we outnumber you libs also. Get used to it and start looking for ways to blame BUSH CAUSE WE ARE TAKING OVER ALOT MORE THAN JUST TWITTER.

Peter   August 21st, 2009 2:09 pm ET

Wait a minute !!these are not conservatives! Its the lobbyist and Pharmaceuticals and insurance companies employees twitting. They are afraid of their jobs and wrongly so!!

itzWicks   August 21st, 2009 2:09 pm ET

If one can't cut through the clutter to make a salient point, it might as well not exist. Brevity truly is the soul of wit.

Sometimes people get too full of themselves when using a lot of words to articulate something when a few choice words will do, and be more memorable to boot.

Lincoln knew it well. And he wasn't exactly a favorite of the elite either.

John   August 21st, 2009 2:07 pm ET

hmmm let's see:

The stimulus porkulus is killing the US (7 words)
Nobama Death panel will kill granny (6 words)
Obamacare is socialism (3 words)

Explaining why even tough less than 10 % of the stimulus is in the economy, and actually helped (and is helping) pulling back the GDP upwards, and while is true that it's growing the deficit, but it was an INVESTEMENT that needed to be done in order to avoid the great depression 2, in 6 quarters when the job market will be tending to it's natural unemployment rate, the stimulus will pay for itself. But hey what do I know; I’m only allowed to use less than 140 words

No wonder Sarah loves to tweet,.

sammieb51   August 21st, 2009 2:07 pm ET

Who cares - anyone who has time to sit around and 'twitter' all day REALLLLLY needs to find something in their life!

Mark C. Eades   August 21st, 2009 2:07 pm ET

Twitter is a medium naturally well-suited to those with a limited vocabulary and a short attention span. Consider Sarah Palin, who has a difficult time coming up with even 140 words that make sense, but who completely goes off the rails with anything longer. To write or even read something as long and complicated as a blog entry would be far beyond the mental ability of the typical Republican.

Joe   August 21st, 2009 2:06 pm ET

Imagine that, all this GOP hate coming from people who frequent the CNN (Communist News Network).

Do me a favor and look up Progressive, do something you guys (liberals) don't normally do (research). Try to understand that some of us like controlling our own lives, and not being told what to think and how to think. Don't let someone else (including the government) tell you what is best for you..

I know I will get blasted for this, but I don't think it will be educated comments. Because that is what the liberal/progressive/socialist movement counts on, no one educating themselves. No offense to anyone, I don't hate you for believing what you do.

sandra   August 21st, 2009 2:06 pm ET

No wonder; it's because conservatives are short on words and heart.

Jon von Gillern   August 21st, 2009 2:05 pm ET

Subtle Bias Much?

"Club For Growth promoted their Twitter account on their $1.2 million ad campaign against health care."

Oh, I didn't know that the Club For Growth is against Health Care. Those eeevil conservatives. This line if written by an unbiased person would have read:

"Club For Growth promoted their Twitter account on their $1.2 million ad campaign against President Obama's Government Run Health Care Plan."

T-Pain   August 21st, 2009 2:05 pm ET

Wow! It's amazing that several neo-libs came up with the same stupid 140+ character joke. Good ones!

Erin   August 21st, 2009 2:03 pm ET

Both Ezra and D-Nice are indeed correct.The Republicans are once again playing to the lowest common denominator.

Better than Ezra   August 21st, 2009 2:01 pm ET

Twitter is popular because us Conservative Christian right wing haters are sick of your irrational nonsensical views on everything.

We love God given freedom, not liberal provide "fairness".

Hektor   August 21st, 2009 2:00 pm ET

Strange...reading the expletive-laden, monosyllabic, monotonous inputs posted on Daily KOS, et al, one would think tweets would be the natural domain for such idiotoids.

TacAirlifter   August 21st, 2009 2:00 pm ET

I want some of you to read your posts one more time. "Of course they're better at twitter… it takes less than 140 characters to spread fear and hate". This is your ONLY response to the conservative side of our nation (who, might I add, do outnumber liberals) is that you have to become a guttersnipe? When you are ready to debate the issues of that day, versus looking for some little way to rally your far-left friends, then drop me a line... or Tweet.

MillerJ   August 21st, 2009 1:59 pm ET

Rag all you want lefties. November of 2010 is ever closer. Many of your socialist legislator twits will have plenty of time to tweet when they are unemployed.

Tony in Maine   August 21st, 2009 1:59 pm ET

D-Nice beat me to it.

The bumper sticker crew has found Twitter. All the more reason to find another way to communicate.

Besides, I don't care if "you're walking down the street."

GOP = 21st century dodo   August 21st, 2009 1:59 pm ET

I think it was Will Rogers who said "I don't belong to any organized political party, I belong to the Democratic Party."

GOP leadership has been refining the methods to whip up the complacent base via fear, anger, and hate since the days of Nixon.

60's survivor   August 21st, 2009 1:59 pm ET

copy. paste. repeat. it's not the quantity. it's the quality of the message. if you can only put out sensationalized lies what will be the outcome. a foundation built on sand will surely fail us all'

SUIBNE   August 21st, 2009 1:58 pm ET

Dear Jeff and Chris;
While considering what would drive you both to this infantile kind of response in public, I concluded that there must be a lifetime of failure, resentment and victimization behind your actions. Otherwise, why would you dismiss the entire trend of technological communications with a "so what," etc. Since I am already over my alloted 140 characters, let me end with the following: YOU ARE BOTH A COUPLE OF LOOPEY LIBERAL BUMBLEF.CKS WHO ARE PROBABLY AT THIS MOMENT GIVING EACH OTHER A BL.W JOB. WIPE THE C.M OFF YOUR FACES AND WAKE UP, GET JOBS, READ A BOOK. Morons.

Mike from Vancouver BC   August 21st, 2009 1:58 pm ET

It's easy to attack a policy when there is one (unlike the conservatives platform).

Joey   August 21st, 2009 1:57 pm ET

I suppose, Ezra and D-nice, that this means Buddha was a Republican?

jayjack   August 21st, 2009 1:57 pm ET

obama and his lackeys just use other forms of media to lie to the public

Sansan   August 21st, 2009 1:56 pm ET

What a bunch of bull! The technology lets people vent, Republicans have a lot of venting to do with the "dope" Obama as president. Democrats don't care, they've been in charge of the house and senate since 2006 and have done all their complaining about Bush, now its the Republicans turn. So what?

Jason   August 21st, 2009 1:55 pm ET

AMAZING! Of the 9 comments, 6 are insulting towards Conservatives. Geez, Liberals (oh sorry, PROGRESSIVES) just can't stand not having the upper hand and revert to hate speech. Keep calling us twits and we'll continue organizing and take back Congress in a couple years.

Tony   August 21st, 2009 1:53 pm ET

Jeff are you Barack?

mad-as-H   August 21st, 2009 1:52 pm ET

How about two more explanations?

Liberal regressives can't undue OBAMAS lies in less than 150 words.

Liberal regressives can't accept media which IGNORES them instead of kissing their dictatorial A$$eS. The ALL get paid by the word from OBAMA and SOROS. It's too cheap for them to tweet.

a progressive liberal and proud of it   August 21st, 2009 1:52 pm ET

"This is a clear sign that the GOP will retake Congress and Sarah Palin will have 2 terms in office from 2013-2021."

And you get all that from the fact that Republicans use Twitter more, huh. Must be nice to be that naive.

Randy   August 21st, 2009 1:52 pm ET

Seems so funny to constantly see liberals call the conservatives names. And they say we are the intolerant ones. You liberals who are always commenting online show your true colors. Lots of hate and intolerance for the position of others. Its your way or the highway. Wait, you blasted Bush for that same approach. Should I include a lot of hypocracy to the list of your traits?

mike   August 21st, 2009 1:52 pm ET

Conservatives only have time to tweet because they have jobs to get back to.

Joe   August 21st, 2009 1:51 pm ET

Because Conservatives don't need to read a 3 page blog from someone who has nothing better to do than to get money from George Soros to type pages of bullcrap for a living! We also don't need a long email from party leadership on what's wrong with Obamacare! We know what's wrong, we know that the democrats don't even read their bills, they admit it, and are appalled that we expect them too; what we want is to know that our Leader's don't have their heads up their arse, and that is able to easily be proved in 140 characters or less! Progressive = fail

Steve   August 21st, 2009 1:51 pm ET

Obama does not have any influence on Twitter because with all of his "uh" and "um's" he would hit the character limit before he could even begin to make his point (if he actually had a point to make, and no, George Bush=bad does not an intelligent argument make).

Ramblingman   August 21st, 2009 1:51 pm ET

Typical responses. Attack and use the old politics of personal destruction page. Plus, don't forget to foment some wealth envy.

What I find funniest are the responses that try to say conservatives are best at condensing ideas to sound bites, totally disregarding the known fact that it's liberals who for decades have had the upper hand at that because it's so much easier to attack an idea with emotion and only use a few words or a slogan, while explaining logic and ideas always takes more time.

Let's see, was it conservatives who came up with, What do we want? (fill in the blank with the protest of the week) When do we want it? Now!

southernramblings.blogspot.com

AZDuffman   August 21st, 2009 1:50 pm ET

Liberals can't talk in "Tweets?"

"Hate Talk"
"Fox News Sucks"
"Election was stolen"

That is all they say anyways. The rest is just their repeating it over and over.

Newt/Palin in 2012!

J.P.   August 21st, 2009 1:50 pm ET

"There is some catching up to do on the progressive side."

Look, the hippies think anyone to the right of Karl Marx or Joseph Stalin is a "right wing nutjob crazy illiterate."

So what does it say about you and your "progressive policy ideas, when these simple "yokels and bumpkins" are running rings around you?

Exactly how "progressive" can you possibly be when these "teabaggers" (as you deride them) are eating your lunch?

Could it have something to do with the fact that "this ain't our first rodeo?" We're simply not buying the BS you're selling, regardless of the neato new technology you're using to sell it. Life experience shows if something sounds too good to be true (deficit-neutral utopian healthcare "reform"), it usually is.

jimfolks   August 21st, 2009 1:49 pm ET

To bad we can't just all be Americans. What a great country this use to be. FYI the conservatives have always been the kings of alternate media the libs own MSM. Why not have all these resources go back to journalism and get away from editorialism.

Dennis   August 21st, 2009 1:49 pm ET

Consevatives–not Republicans have the upper hand on Twitter. The difference? We can spell 'potato.'

Peter   August 21st, 2009 1:48 pm ET

Even if they use Twitter or whatever! the Republican Party is dead!!! and if they ever win the presidency expect 2 or other 3 more wars manufactured through lies to further cheney and his cronies ideology!. They had all the time for domestic policies yet all their minds were on Iraq war or was it for oil? which is now going with the Chinese?. They can give answers to the public of all the wrong things they committed against human kind using twitter!!! but I'm still waiting for anything constructive to come from their side!

gagrules   August 21st, 2009 1:46 pm ET

jjj says "typical" democrat doesnt have money for cable? huh?? well... is the internet free in most democratic areas? if it is not free... then i guess i am missing the logic of that statement ... i bet if you took a poll, dems spend much more time watching television and/or blogging... just being honest...

John   August 21st, 2009 1:45 pm ET

Progressive? What is that?

You guys are all BOZO.

Progressive means Liberal but they are ashamed to call themselves that.

Liberalism is a mental disorder.

Simp   August 21st, 2009 1:44 pm ET

Who in the heck cares? So what the idiots can twitter while the liberals are trying to fix this mess W got us in. This is the dumbest thing to report. Good grief!!!!

yugan   August 21st, 2009 1:44 pm ET

liberal bloggers?? did i read the article right? isn't it just ONE liberal blogger? they couldn't get even 1 of the A list bloggers to support this theory? 1 unknown liberal blogger says something and its news??? in cnn ticker...c'mon guys thats so 2004...

Mississippi Mike   August 21st, 2009 1:43 pm ET

Blah, blah, blah. Remember how the liberal bloggers got all over John McCain's case because he couldn't type and made it sound like he was an out-of-touch old fogie? It was because his injuries as a POW made it so he couldn't use the keyboard. Now those same smirky geeks are getting blown away by a bunch of politicians who are interested in actually *gasp* keeping their constituents informed. Maybe Democrats should keep their constituents in the loop so they don't get shouted down by angry, ignored mobs when they finally do show their faces.

carlo   August 21st, 2009 1:43 pm ET

I could give a tinker's butt about Twitter. I like reading complete sentences. I don't even have a Twitter account. I think the GOP has an upper hand because it allows them to write short sentences. Talking points are easier to get in that way.

Jon   August 21st, 2009 1:43 pm ET

The reason that Conservatives are better at the short message is that they have always practiced getting directly to the point. Meanwhile the liberals desperately need the extra words to practice their stock in trade of...

"If you cannot dazzle them with brilliance (liberals have always been short on brilliance), baffle them with bulls#!+! (BS being the liberal standard)"

El Pinche   August 21st, 2009 1:41 pm ET

Conservatards also dominate AOL , so what?
I knew Twitter jumped the shark when my 65 yr wingnutty dad joined it.

Afghan Whig   August 21st, 2009 1:39 pm ET

I dunno. Looking at the comments so far, it looks like progressives are just as good at spreading ignorance and hate in less than 140 characters as any conservative. Grow up.

laura from willis   August 21st, 2009 1:38 pm ET

It is so obvious, that all the Liberals have figured it out very quickly. GOP cannot think past 140 words. We saw this for 8 years, with their "fearless????" Leader. He had trouble putting 3 words together.

Kudos, fellow Liberals.

GOP is worthy of the "DUH" award.

GunnyG   August 21st, 2009 1:37 pm ET

I love reading the liberal posts! You can catch the undercurrent of FEAR as their boy goes under! haha.

DNC = SS titanic.

William   August 21st, 2009 1:36 pm ET

Twitter is perfect for Republicans. At 140 characters there's no room for facts, anyway, so they won't be expect to back anything up. On the other hand, you can tell lies very easily with 140 characters... and that's all they ever do, anyway.

Dave   August 21st, 2009 1:34 pm ET

I never even signed up for Twitter. It's a pointless, empty-headed medium for non-ideas, so who cares who controls it? It's perfect for Republicans. They don't have any ideas so they don't need many words, and most of them can't spell or use grammar to begin with, so making little choppy words is great for them. It's a good pacifier - something that's within their limited skill set which will keep them busy and feeling like they're "doing something." When you don't have enough thought to actually fill out a blog post, just type in bumper-stickers. Yay!

The real health care reform information...   August 21st, 2009 1:31 pm ET

well, it really says something when lying, fearmongering, and underhanded become the main tool and calling card of conservatives.

As a Christian, I am deeply ashamed of this behavior. It's been giving Christians a bad name.

donttreadonme   August 21st, 2009 1:28 pm ET

Use all means available to defend the our National from the anti-capitalist, socialist Administration.

For eight years we watched the Bush Administration torn down by liberal taking heads and conspiracy theories.

Now it is time for a major backlash

VAisforLOVERS   August 21st, 2009 1:27 pm ET

I can't stand Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, or any of the other social mediums. They're only trends – and are embraced only to show who is more popular than others. Why else would anyone care how many friends you have, or how many followers that you have? Myspace is losing (or has lost) steam, next will be Facebook, then Twitter. What will the next trend be?

donttreadonme   August 21st, 2009 1:27 pm ET

Use all means available to defend the our National from the anti-capitalist, socialist Administration.

For eight years we watched the Bush Administration tore down by liberal taking heads and conspiracy theories.

Now it is time for a major backlash!

LacrosseMom   August 21st, 2009 1:25 pm ET

At least we, Liberals, are not living in denial as some GOPers are! So they have the upper hand on Twitter, fine.

I like the comment by EZRA! SO TRUE!

The ONLY thing that the GOPers got is more of the same vile politics.... which America rejected in '08 and will again in '10 and '12!

THANK GOD ALMIGHTY THAT HOPE TRUMPS FEAR, LIES & HATE!

victim of republican greed   August 21st, 2009 1:23 pm ET

"Drill, baby, drill," "Ronald Reagan," and "tax cuts for the wealthy" pretty much sums up the nit twits messages.

The GOP twitters need to add, "Corporate donations are good for my campaign," and "Lying and fear is all we got."

Chris   August 21st, 2009 1:17 pm ET

The Republican are great at convincing people who are not informed on policies and issues they really need, but yet tell them they don't!!!
If asked just one of those folks who were ranting and raving at those town halls if they paid too much for Healthcare, they probably would have said yes or they don't have any insurance!!! The day a person comes to me and tell me they don't want healtcare coverage that is as good as the elected officials we send to Washington then I know elephants have start to fly!!!

chill   August 21st, 2009 1:13 pm ET

When you have nothing to say, 140 characters is perfect.

Jane/Seattle   August 21st, 2009 1:11 pm ET

Many of the start-up sites seem to pander to the Conservative voice. Is this a surprise to anyone. I am a blogger at http://www.sodahead.com. This site was started by a Conservative named Jason Feffer who was a part of the team who created MySpace. I note at Sodahead that the conservatives seem to get a better deal on getting away with TOS violations than many of us progressives. That site is affiliated with NewsCorp which owns Faux Noise, clearly a non-truthful network. It could be argued that we should not even associate ourselves with this type of business. I, for one, do not go near Newsmax or any other advertising there. many of us are there to teach, reach, and otherwise try to influence minds with the Truth. It was taught to me as a Christian child that the devil is the author of Confusion. Seems that the wolves in sheeps clothing are being exposed for all to see. Those would be the liars for profits in their convoluted worl of deal-making that kills so many. Sorry, I am not ever going to stand down from trying to enlighten folks who may not know. Peace, CNN

Jon Son   August 21st, 2009 1:11 pm ET

Its no wonder why the GOP fares better on twitter. Its far easier to mis/under-inform your public when you are limited to 140 characters.

Kelby In Houston, Texas   August 21st, 2009 1:07 pm ET

That's conservatives for ya. they won't take the time to read a bill that is relevant to policy in the U.S. that is 1000 pages but they will take the time to tap out 140 characters on something that is totally irrelevant. They have an upper hand on a social network. How are they doing with independent voters?

LoLo   August 21st, 2009 1:07 pm ET

Who cares. most of them are getting their children to do it for them. Like the saying goes you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Look at the faces of the republican party. Barney Frank surely had them pegged in Mass. at the town hal meeting. They do not have a clue as to what is going on. Only what they hear from fox cable news. They are not socialble people at all. Only people who want to keep trouble stirred up. I am really ashamed of the Repubkican party and they have shown everyone how racist they are. They are a party of doom no matter what they know in the technology field. Good riddance!!!!!!!!!!!! And the pet rock Sarah palin is going down too. This woman is brainless and Sarah power you must be too.

DEB   August 21st, 2009 1:05 pm ET

Must be a Conservative who own's Twitter.

Thanks CNN for this information. I will no longer use Twitter!

Greg   August 21st, 2009 1:05 pm ET

Still can't figure out why folks are glued to some talking heads messages. Folks need to get a life and read more detailed information. Get informed and decide for yourselves.

Kate in SW Fla   August 21st, 2009 1:01 pm ET

Republicans are historically very "snarky" so twittering suits them well. Most of their tweets are very mean-spirited.

Jeff   August 21st, 2009 1:00 pm ET

So what?...That's the GOP All Twit (Talk), No Action. GOP = Twits or Nitwits

GOPer   August 21st, 2009 12:57 pm ET

Tweets for the narcissistic twits. You betcha.

chris   August 21st, 2009 12:54 pm ET

Of course they're better at twitter... it takes less than 140 characters to spread fear and hate... 140+ to have substance.

Palin Power   August 21st, 2009 12:53 pm ET

This is a clear sign that the GOP will retake Congress and Sarah Palin will have 2 terms in office from 2013-2021.

jjj   August 21st, 2009 12:53 pm ET

To further IndyVoter's point......I think this is partially why Fox has such high viewership ratings. They typical Democratic demographic either doesn't have money for cable, or else they're more likely to get their news from other sources such as the internet.

twitwits are the new nitwits   August 21st, 2009 12:53 pm ET

Thats why they call them the new nitwits.hahaha

D-Nice   August 21st, 2009 12:51 pm ET

Gee, the Republicans are better at condensing complicated issues into meaningless sound/text bites?

Who'd have thunk it?

IndyVoter   August 21st, 2009 12:48 pm ET

That's because many poor/lower middle class folks and seniors don't necessarily have computers/laptops or expensive cell phones/plans on which to tweet. Duh!

Ezra   August 21st, 2009 12:48 pm ET

The reason that Republicans like Twitter is because they have trouble explaining a policy position if it takes more than 150 words.

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
@PrestonCNN: RT: MMStewart Just posted: Top Dem explains slavery remark, doesn't apologize http://bit.ly/6KEGM3
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:27:32 -0800
hambypCNN: Steele and Kaine square off on health care, jobs, and Steele talks (a little bit) about his new book ... http://bit.ly/6kbvKz
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:37:59 -0800
@HornickCNN: White House to government: Continue to open up: http://bit.ly/6SC11i
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:07:15 -0800
hambypCNN: Michael Steele has a book coming out in Jan. Asked about it on CNN, Steele demurs: "Ya, that's what I'm hearing somewhere down the line."
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:52:08 -0800
hambypCNN: @DanDoranBlum nice. hopefully you get two big wins over Pitt in one week.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:42:32 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP