Chat disenfranchisement

I attempted to join a live chat session today that I found on President Bush's website. My nicely worded, NYC-based question about first-time registrants was not chosen for airtime. The questions that were chosen poured in from the far reaches of America's swing states. They were answered by Bush Campaign worker Terry Nelson, whose writing had a distinct flavor (possibly envelope glue.)

You can read the transcript of the chat here: http://www.georgewbush.com/Chat/LiveChat.aspx?ID=47&refresh=man

Highlights of the chat include the questions posed from residents of Arkansas and Nevada, probably chosen because a slim Bill Clinton campaigned there for Kerry last weekend. Of the two token non-swing-state questions chosen, one came from Texas. The author said he feels that this time around, voting will result in a "solid win for someone (Bush I hope)." He later used a creative spelling of the word "polls."

The other, which came in from California, criticizes journalists for our liberal bias:

Miguel Raya from Los Angeles CA wrote: I read a newspaper article in the LA TIMES last weekend noting that the voter registration effort across the country may actually help democrats. Do you think this is true? I hope not and hope that people stop writing politically charged stories like this about the non-political monumental effort that everyone involved with the vote effort has accomplished the past few months.

This question-answer combo sort-of sums it all up. And it makes reference a magic book, which is something everyone can enjoy:

Alex Dominguez from Tallahassee FL wrote: Campaign management is an amazing thing; the management of ideas, actions, people, resources becomes bunched into one role or position. My activities as a volunteer have allowed me to see these factors in play (and I love it) but I have not been able to grasp how, or where, one picks up the knowledge. Is it experience, is it inate talent....is there a magic book somewhere in a secret library one can read?

Terry Nelson answered: Alex, you're learning it in the best possible way, by doing it. If you love being a volunteer, you should try to go work on a campaign. Most folks start out like you making phone calls, knocking on doors and sealing envelopes and go on to be field staffers, and political directos, and campaign managers. There are plenty of opportunities for people who are hard-working and dedicated to our candidates. Keep it up and thank you for your help.