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

[milestogo]

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%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[nycbos]

1. Unfortunately it's a necessary evil

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]

6. This....wheather you like FB or not

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]

41. Exactly! Whether you like FB or not...

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

[Salviati]

10. Definitely not great, but indeed a necessary evil.

[drray23]

2. We should be using any platform allowing to reach potential voters.nt.

[Iggo]

3. I chose Pass so that each option would have 1.

EDIT: Dammit! Too slow!

[RKP5637]

4. Given the political environment, probably ... reach as many as possible. n/t

[Kingofalldems]

5. Voted yes but Facebook is far from great.

[VarryOn]

7. Yes...

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]

11. Are you fucking kidding me? That is the most ridiculous thing I have read in forever.

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]

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

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.

[Scrivener7]

21. SMDH.

[milestogo]

12. Zuckerberg is one of us. Sheryl Sandberg (future CEO?) is even more so. They boldly muzzled Trump.

[Celerity]

25. this board is off the rails at times

[Celerity]

24. you forgot

[VarryOn]

27. I did not. But, thanks.

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]

32. that is not what I take massive issue with at all, do not try and switch subjects

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]

34. I'm not sure what those emojis mean...

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

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

[Celerity]

43. Seriously?

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

Condescend much?

[Raven123]

8. Use whatever is available and effective. FB is NOT great, IMO

[Scrivener7]

9. I HATE Facebook. I think they and Twitter are responsible for about three quarters of the problems

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.

[Elessar Zappa]

13. Facebook isn't great but

yes, Dems should definitely use all social media to their advantage.

[Klaralven]

14. Too convert the sinners, you have to go where the sinners live.

[Srkdqltr]

15. Of course. Be stupid not to.

Pity the fool.

[wellst0nev0ter]

16. We should restore Acorn n/t

[karynnj]

18. if it helps our chance - yes

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]

19. I had to get off Facebook because of the pro-Trumpers

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

[PortTack]

20. Jamie Harrison head of the DNC should be the one to decide

He’s currently out raising the rnc.

Go Jamie..and all Dems!

[we can do it]

22. Hell no.

[Groundhawg]

23. yes we should use every tool at our disposal.

[MustLoveBeagles]

26. I voted other

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]

28. while there are issues, facebook is effective in contacting voters

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

[Sugarcoated]

29. Modern times

Many don't understand the pivotal role it plays.

[milestogo]

30. And someone could come up with an alternative tool that has not become so corrupted.

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]

31. Until an "alternative" becomes as popular

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

[LeftInTX]

40. Organizing involves bringing new people into the fold

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]

49. A whole lot of people DO use the "evil" social media platforms, younger than most of us

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...

[Baitball Blogger]

33. If you leave a void, the otherside will take it.

[obnoxiousdrunk]

35. Yes.

You fight a war with the army you have.

[LeftInTX]

36. I had a hard time finding volunteer opportunities for Hilary's campaign

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]

38. absolutely. you don't leave even means of reaching voters unused

especially in this, the digital era.

[hunter]

39. Facebook and twitter don't exist in my personal universe...

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

Do I think Democratic Party should ignore television?

No.

[Withywindle]

42. Facebook is terrible BUT

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]

44. We need at least every tool the RW is using

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

[Act_of_Reparation]

45. Does the Democratic Party have a choice?

No. Not really.

[ibegurpard]

46. Of course

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]

48. The Democratic Party Had Better Use Every Tool Available

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]

50. Use it as a tool for communication not for organization.

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.