In an ironic twist worthy of a Seinfeld episode, supporters of Senator Obama have been using the organizing tools on his own website to protest his vote for FISA that grants immunity to telecoms that have abetted the government’s illegal surveillance efforts. On July 3rd, the Senator posted a response on this website to explain his reasons for changing his position on FISA. Most of the commentary on this episode has focused on the politics of the moment. Is it illustrative of Obama’s tack to the center for the general election? Is he biting the netroots hand that fed him? But there is a larger point that is being missed in this debate that falls into the “be careful what you wish for category” the Senator’s own supporters are using social media tools to challenge his positions.

The FISA Flap is a sneak peek of the governance model that could emerge from this election with citizens actively engaged in discussion with their elected official. In his provocative essay in Rebooting America. Jeff Jarvis envisions citizens having their own personal political pages online where each of us may, if we choose, reveal our stands, opinions, alliances, and allegiances, and where we would manage our relationship with government, campaigns, and movements. Obama supporters are using his website as their own personal political pages. This is great news citizens who will continue to monitor, advocate, discuss and debate issues and legislative votes beyond Election Day.

Barack Obama | FISA | Jeff Jarvis
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