When Barack Obama becomes president Jan. 20, he will move the traditional presidential radio address into the Web 2.0 era by producing online video versions. In fact, Obama isn't waiting until he takes office to break tradition. He recorded his first video address today, and it will air tomorrow as the Democratic counterpart to President Bush's weekly address. Obama's team is trumpeting the development as a major change, but Ellen Miller of the Sunlight Foundation thinks otherwise. I agree with her. What extra value do we as citizens get watching Obama deliver a canned speech as opposed to hearing it? Oh, wait, I get it now. It's not about using today's new media to be more transparent and engage the public directly rather than going through the mainstream media. Obama doesn't need to bypass journalists because they adore him, and there are plenty of great ideas he could implement to become more accessible online. But that's not Obama's goal. He's just trying to make it easier for his worshipful will.i.am's of the world to make viral hits of his eloquent but meaningless liberal catchphrases. -- K. Daniel Glover
