Podcasting by Governors and other politicians is skyrocketing!
Imagine for a second that you are an up-and-coming politician running for the senate or a governors race – what’s the best way to reach out to your younger audience?
PODcasting has been the answer — So, who is doing it?
Rod Blgojevich
Governor Rod Blgojevich offers pod casting through his website Illinois.gov, http://www.illinois.gov/gov/podcasts.cfm – Stating that “Sometimes, you want to get your information on an issue straight from the source. That is why we have started offering ‘Podcasts’ on different topics.” He’s using these podcasts to talk about everything from jobs, schools, health care and energy initiatives.
Here are a few of his most recent Podcasts:
Illinois Unemployment Drops to All-Time Low
Proposal to Increase the Minimum Wage
Protecting Access to Contraceptives
Ernie Fletcher
Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher is the latest state governor to introduce a podcast. The Governor Ernie Fletcher’s Podcast lets people listen to the governor’s latest public addresses on their computer or portable media player.
fletcher.jpg”Moving Kentucky forward means making state government more accessible to our citizens,” said Governor Fletcher. “Podcasting is another way we are doing just that — bringing government to the people with the most up-to-date technology possible.”
The podcast is a free service available to anyone with an Internet connection.
Governor Fletcher becomes one of the first governors in the nation to utilize the growing technology that expands the use of Internet-based multi-media to reach constituents. Fletcher’s podcast joins Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee’s podcast and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger podcast.
“More and more citizens and businesses are going to the Internet as their first source for news, information and interaction,” explained Governor Fletcher. “Taking advantage of this technology ensures Kentucky state government is there to greet them.”
Chris Bell
Chris Bell, former Texas Governor offers several podcasts that share with his supporters topics that are close to his heart, but also offers him the chance to “play a little politics”.
CB Radio: Bizradio Podcast, Chris Duel today
Podcast: Chris on Houston BizRadio
Russ Diamond whom ran for Governor in Pennsylvania offers several podcasts including the following: Russ Diamon Podcasts
Barack Obama
Obama-PodcastMost notably Barack Obama of Illinois is using podcasts to push his agenda more than anyone! Obama’s website for senate offers plenty of options for listening to his podcasts.
Senate Democratic Majority.
Senator Obama discusses the new Senate Democratic majority and upcoming legislation, including an increase in the minimum wage, implementing all of the 9/11 Commission recommendations and a real energy policy.
Transparency Act and Chemical Plant Security
Senator Obama discusses the “Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act” being signed in to law today, as well as the chemical plant security legislation agreed upon by House and Senate negotiators last week that is far too weak and fails to adequately protect American lives.
Africa Trip Recap
Senator Obama just returned from a 15-day trip to Africa where he visited South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Chad. He discusses his tour of Robben Island prison, meeting with U.S. troops, visiting refugee camps of those fleeing the genocide in Darfur and the need for addressing Africa’s growing AIDS epidemic.
Despite facing federal corruption charges, one thing Illinois Governor Rod Balgojevich has demonstrated is a profound skill in how to manipulate people and opportunities to create a smoke screen for personal and political survival.
When he tapped Roland Burris for the US Senate appointment, society was shocked at the brazenness of the move. However, people soon became more curious about the individual who would accept such a position despite the controversy and allegations surrounding the tainted senate seat Blagojevich had for the giving.
No doubt Roland Burris had a distinguished political record as Illinois State Attorney General up until 1995. However, he has not been directly involved in politics for the last thirteen years aside from unsuccessful campaign runs for City of Chicago Mayor and Democratic Governor nominee. He is currently the CEO of Burris & Lebed Consulting, LLC, which is a consulting firm providing services in public relations and governmental representation – a lobbyist.
However, you really have to question the level of common sense that Roland Burris would bring to this senate seat.
It stands to reason that anyone seeking a political office would engage in deal making with any individual who is currently under federal investigation. Relationships of these sorts represent political land mines and Burris willingly stepped on it for nothing other than what appears to be self gain – “I want to be a US Senator and I’ll do anything to get it.”
Burris had to know that if he did accept the position that he would become nothing short of a political pawn to satisfy Blago’s need to give the media something else to focus on other than his (Blagojevich) looming indictment. In so doing, Burris epitomizes the idea of a morally weak politician and will most likely follow the same path as that of Blagojevich and the like; embroiled in some future investigation for impropriety or corruption.
Whats more troubling is that Burris seems oblivious to the profuse amount of political toes he has managed to step on up until this point.
After the news of the appointment hit the street, Burris became as politically isolated as Blagojevich. Every single democrat in the Illinois assembly and US Senate was against the appointment. However, he turned a blind eye to his potential political allies and proceeded on his way to taking the senate seat. This alone will undoubtedly create a groud swell of resentment among his fellow democrats. The resentment will surface as a lack of support when and if he tries to accomplish anything in his political career.
Burris has already received the smack down from US Senate majority leader Harry Reid in refusing to initially seat Burris. However, despite this, Burris will eventually be seated for the simple fact that the law is the law and despite Blago’s looming conviction he is still the Governor empowered to appoint someone to the vacant US Senate seat. But, if you think Harry Reid among other senior democrats will forget being put in this awkward position – think again.
Once Roland Burris finally does take his seat in the US senate the reality of what happened will probably hit him pretty hard. The reality being, Blagojevich convincing him to take the position on the premise that he is jumping into a tank of friendly dolphins only to find out that they are sharks instead.
The historic Great River Road along the Mississippi River is a relaxing spot against the scenic countryside in this side of North America. Bikers will enjoy this experience of traveling through nearly 3,000 miles and running through 10 US states.
The Great River Trail along the winding Mississippi River was constructed in 1938 by the governors of the 10 river states who thought of connecting the then existing network of rural roads and highways to become the Great River Road, also called as the Mississippi River Trail. The result was a blending of cultures and varied very interesting sceneries in the river of each individual state like lush greeneries, big cities and rural rustic scenes as well as wide spaces, charming communities and the Delta.
From its headwaters along Itasca, Minnesota towards the Delta at the Gulf of Mexico, in Louisiana, the Mississippi River Trail is a world-class bicycling route connecting 10 states as well as the cities of St. Louis, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Memphis and the numerous towns along the way.
The Mississippi River Trail Project answered the need for an alternate transportation and, consequently, the conservation of natural resources. This has also become an added come-on for tourism opportunities. Adventure-seekers have also found the trails very appealing, particularly for bike enthusiasts.
The location is filled with interesting sites to see in the river trails for bike enthusiasts. In Minnesota, bikers will start at the Itasca Park, a 20-mile paved biking trail passing through pines and birch trees of Minnesota’s North Woods. After the park, the road will traverse along the river and country roads and to the city of Bemidji. The Paul Bunyan Trail will lead to the farming and lake country. There are also fishing spots and golf courses along the road.
South of St. Cloud is the twin river cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, which have urban characters. The important St Anthony Falls is within passing distance and the cities connect to parks and natural areas before and rural areas and then going to the state of Wisconsin.
In Wisconsin, one will arrive at the small city of Prescott. Further on are country roads, farming fields on rolling hills and valleys. Occasionally, one can find wooded areas.
In Iowa, the first place to see is New Albin, a small community deeply connected to the river. More rolling hills and wooded areas can be found. The trail passes the Effigy Mounds National Monument, and the beautiful communities perched between the hills and the river. Iowa has some of the most spectacular scenic views in the northern side of the trail. Dubuque City, an industrial center is fast becoming a tourist destination because of its beautiful location and historic streets. The government manages forests, state parks and recreation areas along the Mississippi River.
The Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa, then the Davenport and Bettendorf of Iowa, and Rock Island and Moline in Illinois comes next. The trails follow a network called RiverWay, which connects natural sites with urban streets and connects the two states through a water taxi system. In some point, the RiverWay can be seen as a type of public art. At Horseshoe Lake, migrant Canada geese can be seen sometime within the year.
On the Missouri border, one can find more farms and small cities, which are quaintly beautiful in their own right. The trail also passes through Mark Twain’s home. Hence, some areas still retain the old charm and historic influence of the former French colonizers.
Bikers will also pass by Kentucky. It is known to be the former place of the Chickasaw Indians. There are beautiful, rich and rolling farmlands with some forested areas. Overlooking the river is the Columbus Belmont State Park providing a spectacular view of the Mississippi river and the Missouri shore. One can put up camp here and watch the amazing sunset over the Mississippi River.
In Tennessee, attractions can range from spectacular to very quiet ones. The Reelfoot Lake State Park is a haven for amazing flora and fauna. One can also pass by Elvis Presley’s Mansion, the Graceland and the legendary Peabody Hotel.