The Politics of Twitter

In “The Politics of Twitter,” KHON’s Andrew Pereira takes a look at the potential power and pitfalls that social media brings to local politics, particularly in the wake of Rep. Andrew Weiner’s Twitter scandal and as the 2012 election season gathers steam.

The piece seeks guidance from Barbara Pleadwell of Hastings & Pleadwell, a public relations and advertising firm.

It also references former mayor Mufi Hannemann’s massive following on Twitter, even though it was earned mostly through his placement on Twitter’s controversial “Suggested Users” list, giving him an audience made up mostly of people outside Hawaii.

“It’s all about attracting people here and winning friends for Hawaii,” said Hannemann, who is now president of the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association. While the former mayor has not decided on a run for the U.S. House or Senate in 2012, if he does take the plunge he says social media will play a role – a very careful and measured role. “My mother always said be careful what you put down on paper and you know what, that’s true. In life sometimes you’ve gotta take a deep breathe or two when you’re very emotional about something.”

The piece also touches on the importance of teaching children about the responsible use of social media, and Pleadwell cites the national “Stay Safe Online” and “Stop, Think, Connect” campaigns. Though not mentioned in KHON’s piece, Pleadwell’s firm (along with other partners) was behind the launch of both in October 2009 and October 2010, respectively.

Read the full article, or watch the segment as broadcast embedded below: