On the one hand I agree with you. Congress tweeting while the President is speaking to the body is a bit disrespectful; like a new date taking a text message or even cell phone call while your waiting for desert to be served.

However, I think the address to congress by the President is really and address to the people of the USA. Congress is in tight quarters in the beltway and it’s nice to see some information leak out in a democratic way such as on twitter, even if during a heightened time of crises.

What if for example there were no websites for congresspeople, or phone numbers to call to reach them to voice a concern, or if there were no C-Span to show us what goes on during congressional and senate sessions? This creates for a lot less transparency.

Even though many tweets (I’ve not reviewed them all) seem to be anecdotes and cheezy, silly updates from the congresspeople, still it represents and opportunity.

The opportunity for more communication with the FLOOR of congress is something that I would welcome any day.

What if we could gather flashmobs on twitter to call out votes we did not like on the floor of congress, and the congress person actually listed and watched the tweet, perhaps we’d have a whole new level of democracy? (I’m dreaming a bit there) :-)

Great post Geoff – keep it coming!

Jake

If Congress’s tweets were all business and all polished, do you think we would be judging them for not being transparent enough and taking an “old” traditional media approach to this nice and shiny new medium?

Although I agree with you all that partisan snarkiness is old hat and so unhelpful, and Congress should be using Twitter to engage in more conversations with each other and with their constituents, instead of as a soapbox.

Whether they are, as individuals or as a body, using this particular tool in the most effective way is questionable, but as pointed out by others, at least they are getting started. Though Barton is obviously not getting it, McCaskill engages in real dialog.

If twitter is a lightweight way for elected officials to talk directly to the people they represent, in real time when important events are happening, I am all for it.

My point is let’s let this be a way to bring best practices to light and connect people. Criticism is only effective if its constructive. And don’t get me wrong – I don’t think the majority of the comments should have been so fluffy and off-point. I also feel failed by congress. Heck, Geoff, I’m an anarchist from way back. I don’t see the point in damning a group when you can connect with individuals. Judgment is counter-productive in my experience.

Negative judgments, especially toward a group or collective, only strengthen the “reactivity” of that group and their collective desire to cling to their position. Engaging with individuals, looking at how we can all best benefit is a more positive way of inviting them into the process.