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milestogo

(17,309 posts)
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 05:18 PM Oct 2021

Should the Democratic Party be using Facebook as an organizing tool?


17 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
No, there are too many problems with Facebook
2 (12%)
Yes, its great
12 (71%)
OTHER
3 (18%)
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Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll
50 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Should the Democratic Party be using Facebook as an organizing tool? (Original Post) milestogo Oct 2021 OP
Unfortunately it's a necessary evil nycbos Oct 2021 #1
This....wheather you like FB or not Bettie Oct 2021 #6
Exactly! Whether you like FB or not... NurseJackie Oct 2021 #41
Definitely not great, but indeed a necessary evil. Salviati Oct 2021 #10
We should be using any platform allowing to reach potential voters.nt. drray23 Oct 2021 #2
I chose Pass so that each option would have 1. Iggo Oct 2021 #3
Given the political environment, probably ... reach as many as possible. n/t RKP5637 Oct 2021 #4
Voted yes but Facebook is far from great. Kingofalldems Oct 2021 #5
Yes... VarryOn Oct 2021 #7
Are you fucking kidding me? That is the most ridiculous thing I have read in forever. Scrivener7 Oct 2021 #11
"For all their flaws, I think they do more good than harm." VarryOn Oct 2021 #17
SMDH. Scrivener7 Oct 2021 #21
Zuckerberg is one of us. Sheryl Sandberg (future CEO?) is even more so. They boldly muzzled Trump. milestogo Oct 2021 #12
this board is off the rails at times Celerity Oct 2021 #25
you forgot Celerity Oct 2021 #24
I did not. But, thanks. VarryOn Oct 2021 #27
that is not what I take massive issue with at all, do not try and switch subjects Celerity Oct 2021 #32
I'm not sure what those emojis mean... VarryOn Oct 2021 #34
This message was self-deleted by its author Celerity Oct 2021 #37
Seriously? Celerity Oct 2021 #43
This message was self-deleted by its author MrsCoffee Oct 2021 #47
Use whatever is available and effective. FB is NOT great, IMO Raven123 Oct 2021 #8
I HATE Facebook. I think they and Twitter are responsible for about three quarters of the problems Scrivener7 Oct 2021 #9
Facebook isn't great but Elessar Zappa Oct 2021 #13
Too convert the sinners, you have to go where the sinners live. Klaralven Oct 2021 #14
Of course. Be stupid not to. Srkdqltr Oct 2021 #15
We should restore Acorn n/t wellst0nev0ter Oct 2021 #16
if it helps our chance - yes karynnj Oct 2021 #18
I had to get off Facebook because of the pro-Trumpers katmondoo Oct 2021 #19
Jamie Harrison head of the DNC should be the one to decide PortTack Oct 2021 #20
Hell no. we can do it Oct 2021 #22
yes we should use every tool at our disposal. Groundhawg Oct 2021 #23
I voted other MustLoveBeagles Oct 2021 #26
while there are issues, facebook is effective in contacting voters LetMyPeopleVote Oct 2021 #28
Modern times Sugarcoated Oct 2021 #29
And someone could come up with an alternative tool that has not become so corrupted. milestogo Oct 2021 #30
Until an "alternative" becomes as popular Sugarcoated Oct 2021 #31
Organizing involves bringing new people into the fold LeftInTX Oct 2021 #40
A whole lot of people DO use the "evil" social media platforms, younger than most of us Sugarcoated Oct 2021 #49
If you leave a void, the otherside will take it. Baitball Blogger Oct 2021 #33
Yes. obnoxiousdrunk Oct 2021 #35
I had a hard time finding volunteer opportunities for Hilary's campaign LeftInTX Oct 2021 #36
absolutely. you don't leave even means of reaching voters unused Takket Oct 2021 #38
Facebook and twitter don't exist in my personal universe... hunter Oct 2021 #39
Facebook is terrible BUT Withywindle Oct 2021 #42
We need at least every tool the RW is using Mad_Machine76 Oct 2021 #44
Does the Democratic Party have a choice? Act_of_Reparation Oct 2021 #45
Of course ibegurpard Oct 2021 #46
The Democratic Party Had Better Use Every Tool Available MineralMan Oct 2021 #48
Use it as a tool for communication not for organization. discntnt_irny_srcsm Oct 2021 #50

nycbos

(6,278 posts)
1. Unfortunately it's a necessary evil
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 05:22 PM
Oct 2021

The digital game is one of the reasons why we lost in 2016.

If we didn't use it we would lose every single election. I wish this wasn't the case but it is.

Bettie

(16,849 posts)
6. This....wheather you like FB or not
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 05:28 PM
Oct 2021

Last edited Mon Oct 4, 2021, 08:42 AM - Edit history (1)

it exists and it reaches people.

If you dislike it, then don't use it.

Use the social media! The other side does.

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)
41. Exactly! Whether you like FB or not...
Mon Oct 4, 2021, 06:14 AM
Oct 2021

... it could be an effective "weapon" for the Democrats to use.

 

VarryOn

(2,343 posts)
7. Yes...
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 05:38 PM
Oct 2021

Zuckerberg is one of us. Sheryl Sandberg (future CEO?) is even more so. They boldly muzzled Trump. They were decisive and effective, along with Twitter, in constraining the Hunter laptop conspiracy story at a key time when others wouldn't have.

And during COVID, they've worked since January to deal with misinfo.

For all their flaws, I think they do more good than harm.

Scrivener7

(52,360 posts)
11. Are you fucking kidding me? That is the most ridiculous thing I have read in forever.
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 05:46 PM
Oct 2021

They handed EVERYONE's records to Cambridge Analytica for the benefit of TFG. They gave him a platform. They had a dedicated office in Trump Tower so everyone in the Trump campaign could get their help immediately while they were using psyops against unsuspecting voters to get Trump elected.

They are the PRIMARY source for COVID misinformation.

Honestly, that is the most disturbingly uninformed post I have ever read here.

 

VarryOn

(2,343 posts)
17. "For all their flaws, I think they do more good than harm."
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 06:27 PM
Oct 2021

Scrivvy, I have no affection for FB. In fact, I deleted my account in December, 2019. Partly because of the Cambridge scandal. Mostly, I don't like them tracking everything. I'm admittedly in the libertarian camp in wanting to keep my own shit private.

Personally, I've canceled all social media accounts. Nonetheless, I think Democrats should use these tools in every campaign.

As for COVID misinformation, I'm hard-pressed to deem a PRIMARY culprit. We are learning as we go along. Even Fauci has needed to change his tune.

milestogo

(17,309 posts)
12. Zuckerberg is one of us. Sheryl Sandberg (future CEO?) is even more so. They boldly muzzled Trump.
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 05:59 PM
Oct 2021
 

VarryOn

(2,343 posts)
27. I did not. But, thanks.
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 08:20 PM
Oct 2021

I've forgotten a few times

While I deleted my FB account three years ago, I do see FB as useful to Democrats. There are a lot of our targeted voters who use it. And I do think the company is more Democratic than Republican. We need to take advantage of that. Apparently, that is contraversial with some, for so reason.

Celerity

(46,154 posts)
32. that is not what I take massive issue with at all, do not try and switch subjects
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 08:35 PM
Oct 2021

you said

Zuckerberg is one of us. Sheryl Sandberg (future CEO?) is even more so. They boldly muzzled Trump. They were decisive and effective, along with Twitter, in constraining the Hunter laptop conspiracy story at a key time when others wouldn't have.


That is all utter dross.

Zuckerberg is one of us.




They boldly muzzled Trump.


 

VarryOn

(2,343 posts)
34. I'm not sure what those emojis mean...
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 10:03 PM
Oct 2021

So...OK. You need to learn to use words.

Some of us are mature (old, in your view) .

Response to VarryOn (Reply #34)

Response to VarryOn (Reply #7)

Scrivener7

(52,360 posts)
9. I HATE Facebook. I think they and Twitter are responsible for about three quarters of the problems
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 05:43 PM
Oct 2021

America is having right now.

But as long as the republiQans are using it to radicalize people, and make no mistake they are, it is the Democrats' responsibility to use it to counteract those messages.

karynnj

(59,887 posts)
18. if it helps our chance - yes
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 06:43 PM
Oct 2021

why cede a useful tool? yes, i know the bad things they did, but it seems better to fight back on that platform than leave the garbage unchallenged.

katmondoo

(6,490 posts)
19. I had to get off Facebook because of the pro-Trumpers
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 06:44 PM
Oct 2021

I just couldn't take it anymore, it has been almost two years now. I will never go back.

PortTack

(34,363 posts)
20. Jamie Harrison head of the DNC should be the one to decide
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 06:53 PM
Oct 2021

He’s currently out raising the rnc.

Go Jamie..and all Dems!

MustLoveBeagles

(12,376 posts)
26. I voted other
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 08:17 PM
Oct 2021

I think that the Democrats should use every tool at their disposal to reach potential voters. What kept me from clicking yes was that while I like Facebook and plan to keep using it for the foreseeable future I can't say that it's great. There are defiantly problems with the site be it by design or otherwise that need to fixed.

LetMyPeopleVote

(153,746 posts)
28. while there are issues, facebook is effective in contacting voters
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 08:25 PM
Oct 2021

I have seen a ton of ads on facebook for candidates who I support. It is effective but has issues

milestogo

(17,309 posts)
30. And someone could come up with an alternative tool that has not become so corrupted.
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 08:29 PM
Oct 2021

BTW I have been a member of the Democratic Party for years without using Facebook to access anything regarding the party. They still have websites and email.

Sugarcoated

(8,077 posts)
31. Until an "alternative" becomes as popular
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 08:34 PM
Oct 2021

FB is one of the most powerful communication tools out there. We cede it to the Fascists at our peril.

LeftInTX

(29,689 posts)
40. Organizing involves bringing new people into the fold
Mon Oct 4, 2021, 12:34 AM
Oct 2021

Sure, you can go to websites, but I could not find events for Hillary in 2016 that way. I kept looking and looking and looking....

Sugarcoated

(8,077 posts)
49. A whole lot of people DO use the "evil" social media platforms, younger than most of us
Mon Oct 4, 2021, 12:19 PM
Oct 2021

here on DU, to o see what's going on politically, what's going on in their community, see where the music is playing, what the grandkids are doing, comforting a friend or family member who you can't fly out to. It's a great promotion tool for artists and musicians. Revolutionary, actually. We can't let the crazy right take over the narrative on these platforms...

LeftInTX

(29,689 posts)
36. I had a hard time finding volunteer opportunities for Hilary's campaign
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 10:25 PM
Oct 2021

Although I was on FB, I didn't follow politics on it. It was like pulling teeth trying to find, when and where her local campaign HQ was. Then, after Trump was elected I read about something called Indivisible. (I think I read about it on DU) However, in order to find the local Indivisible chapters, I had to look on FB. The local Women's March was organized on FB. Instant organizing.

Takket

(22,425 posts)
38. absolutely. you don't leave even means of reaching voters unused
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 10:52 PM
Oct 2021

especially in this, the digital era.

hunter

(38,818 posts)
39. Facebook and twitter don't exist in my personal universe...
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 10:58 PM
Oct 2021

... but I can say the same of television.

Do I think Democratic Party should ignore television?

No.


Withywindle

(9,988 posts)
42. Facebook is terrible BUT
Mon Oct 4, 2021, 06:17 AM
Oct 2021

To not be on it would be to default the fight.

We need to be on it and we need to fight harder than the other side does.

Mad_Machine76

(24,768 posts)
44. We need at least every tool the RW is using
Mon Oct 4, 2021, 10:28 AM
Oct 2021

I know that many people here have negative feelings about FB and they are totally valid, but avoiding using any resource tool (when our resources are even more limited than the RW) seems like a bad idea JMHO

ibegurpard

(16,815 posts)
46. Of course
Mon Oct 4, 2021, 10:55 AM
Oct 2021

It's not going anywhere and its reach is vast. Why would you try to shut yourself out of that? Social media horse is out of the barn.

MineralMan

(147,301 posts)
48. The Democratic Party Had Better Use Every Tool Available
Mon Oct 4, 2021, 10:58 AM
Oct 2021

to reach voters. It must go where the people are if it can hope to defeat Republicans.

We are not in a position to be able to ignore the largest social media venue.

We just need to use it better, I think.

discntnt_irny_srcsm

(18,556 posts)
50. Use it as a tool for communication not for organization.
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 12:21 PM
Oct 2021

Unfortunately today it is a new world. Privacy in the public sphere is gone. Maybe you're thinking I'm a bit paranoid.

It's time to begin acting as if each of us is part of the intelligence community. It's time put your political mindset into the suspicion business. Lies, misused words, unfounded accusations and foreign interference add up to a reaction that ought to include a program plan that's protected from the kind of political fraud seen recently.

The party needs to expose every instance of suspicious behavior by Republicans to the public and not let it go. Each of us need to hold them responsible. Some of them act like not getting caught in a lie is the same as being truthful.

Honor and honesty is some kind of punchline for many of Republicans.

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