Congress on Twitter: Yay, or nay?

Mon Feb 2, 2009 12:19PM EST

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A new Web site is tracking which U.S. House and Senate members have discovered the joy of tweeting—and which haven't. 

The L.A. Times tech blog has the scoop on Tweet Congress, the aptly named site that lets you search for Twitter-savvy House representatives and Senators by name or location.

You can also find out who's the most followed (John Culberson, R-TX, with an impressive 5,932 Twitter followers, and counting) and the most active (yep, ditto). Indeed, Republican tweeters outnumber Democrats almost two-to-one (41 to 24), while Independents—I'm looking at you, Lieberman—are still in the dark when it comes to the red-hot microblogging service. (Speaking of which ... click here for a quick Twitter primer.)

Pop quiz: Which state is leading the pack when it comes to best Twitter representation? If you guessed California, New York, or Washington state (home of Microsoft, right?), well, you guessed wrong. Instead, try South Carolina, with four of its eight U.S. representatives tweeting away. Up next: New Mexico (two of five) and Ohio (seven of 20). Among the many zilches: New York, the District of Columbia, Washington—and yes, Alaska.

Also interesting, but a little harder to quantify: Finding out which representatives are actually tweeting themselves, and who's just staffing it out. Rep. Culberson of Texas looks like he's really getting into it ("you will always be talking to me not staff," he tweeted last week). Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill also seems to be getting into the spirit: "What a game. Found myself pulling for the underdog", she Twittered during the Super Bowl.

On the other hand, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi needs to loosen up, if her recent tweets ("On The Senate Passage of the State Children's Health Insurance Program [link]") are any indication.

Related:
Tweet Congress tracks politicians on Twitter, heckles ones who aren't [L. A. Times tech blog]

Comments on Congress on Twitter: Yay, or nay?

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  • 26 Posted by spetals@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    SO typical of the Media to again bash Republicans. You say something long enough, you condemn it to truth. If the sheep (AKA public) would stop and listen, they would see the manipulation. The Bias and propaganda got their presidential choice into office. They all screamed recession long enough to make that a reality. Time to stop the bashing; The inuendos. Republicans are too busy working to be on the net to bother with these blogs. I have to stand up to this slander. By the way... Back To work to keep our economy from sinking further. Stimulus!! HAH. It is YOUR ....OUR money the dems are grabbing

  • 28 Posted by nonisethi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree it is lazy journalism to not even defin the term. You are better off going to the orginal LA Times article. They do not define it directly, but give you an understanding they mean blogging.

  • 29 Posted by leoruss1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    Don't know what "twitting" means in this context but since repubs are increasingly active at it, it must be some form of scam...

  • 30 Posted by dandyjoyo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    I don't twitter or tweeting, nor do I texting. I am unable to get through in my mind the absence of a full word. Love to keep in touch but unable to cut my words off. Will call either by land line, or cell phone sometimes I even email. Let's try to have more personal contact and there will be less violence. deejee

  • 31 Posted by pnkmdyfld on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    For years Reps...have known to be these evil, hateful, and angry people that only know war and dominance. Now, I see that the Liberals have become angry, hateful, and in some cases, down right violent. The next thing ya know it, we will be pulled out of homes at night and strung up on the nearst tree. So much for the Love, Peace, and Flowers group.

  • 32 Posted by la_4_nd on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    is there a definition anywhere on 'tweeting'? i don't understand the story without a definition of 'tweet' in this context. back to J school, moron.

  • 33 Posted by joncarnes1985 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's not horrible journalism to not include the definition of a popularly bandied word. If you have followed the news in any capacity lately, you should know what Twitter is, and what tweeting is. I would suggest looking it up rather than whining if you are still in the dark. It's not the author's fault that you aren't with it. Imagine if every time a person wanted to write about using the radio, they had to describe what a radio was.

  • 34 Posted by trishbright02 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    To everyone who's confused see the end of the second paragragh of the article where it says "(Speaking of which ... click here for a quick Twitter primer.)" and click on that link for a full explanation.

  • 35 Posted by kcty2003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    Actually it does explain what it is in the article "red-hot microblogging service". I am not a Twitter tweeter, whatever the term would be, but I know it is a blog where people follow their favorite people. It is a way to keep up with your "friends", half of who you have never or will never meet. I know this because a radio DJ talks about it on my drive in to work in the mornings.

  • 36 Posted by sts99c on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sounds like a term the Democrats came up with to justify something they are doing that they do want the American public to know about. And then say more Republicans are doing than Democrats. Can not trust a democrat!

  • 37 Posted by californiawine@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    One of the stupidest articles I've ever read. What is twitter or tweet? I really can't understand your article unless you define the terms. Let me show you what it's like: I bleched last week but I'm a member of the Green Party. My Democrat friends blech more often though.

  • 38 Posted by kt_andersen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    Claire McCaskill was rooting for the Cardinals. Now that is important information. Thank god for the twitter

  • 39 Posted by mrbravo2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    3rd paragraph, last sentence people; the author provides a link if you need an explanation. Unless your next question is "Why is this text blue and then gets underlined once I hover over it with my clicker?"... in that case, CTRL ALT DEL....

  • 40 Posted by domian20 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is most irritating, to hear a word being used that I have never heard of until recently,and have never found the meaning of the word spelled out.My version of a twitter would be a person that was annoying etc..But why did this word explode recently on the public ?????? Posted by Ray

  • 41 Posted by jedistardust on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    Twitter is a social website where you and all your friends join up. You then add your mobile phone to the account, and when you send a message, whether from your phone or the computer, all your friends will receive the message. PLUS they included a link above explaining what Twitter is.

  • 42 Posted by fromandrewvanbeek on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    Come on. This article has been up for 2 1/2 months. Can we have something else already?! Thanks.

  • 43 Posted by acmlau on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    you must be as old as McCain. Who need dictionary? texting is IN.

  • 44 Posted by carolnothern on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    What a waste of time! One should not instantly share what one is thinking. One needs to analyze and weigh your thoughts before opening your mouth. Keeps you out of trouble

  • 45 Posted by amer_serbian2 on Tue May 5, 2009 11:13AM EDT Report Abuse

    if this journal made it to the internet.....then a 5 year olds journal can also..very sad

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