9781422277300

I n August 2012, President Barack Obama was in the middle of his second presidential campaign, trying to get his message out at the same time his challenger, Mitt Romney, was poised to accept the Republican Party’s nomination for president. Hordes of journalists from newspapers, websites, television networks, magazines, and other publications crowded into the Tampa Bay Forum for the Republican National Convention. That was when Obama made a surprise visit to Reddit, a social news website, and answered questions posed by the site’s members. At one point, more than 30,000 people visited Reddit’s Ask Me Anything forum, an online gathering place that allowed people to directly interact with the commander-in-chief. “Hey everybody—this is barack,” the president typed, not capitalizing his first name. “Just finished a great rally in Charlottesville, and am looking forward to your questions.” He didn’t have to wait long. Within minutes the questions started pouring in. “I’m a recent law school graduate,” one person wrote. “Despite graduating from a top school, I find myself unemployed with a large student loan debt burden. While I’m sure my immediate prospects will improve in time, it’s dif- ficult to be optimistic about the future knowing my ability to live a productive life . . . is hampered by my debt and the bleak economic outlook for young people . . . What hope can you offer us in your second term?” The president typed a lengthy response, telling the questioner and ev- eryone else following the conversation not to be discouraged. “We are making progress and with your help will make more.”

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