(TheDailyHorn.com) – Social media can be a powerful tool for politicians. Yet, regardless of follower counts, not all politicians’ influence is equal when it comes to their social media presence. What drives social media influence may not have as much to do with what one posts as who’s doing the posting, and how one uses the tool.
The most polarizing politicians in America are the ones getting the most attention online.
Online engagement ➡️ National profile ➡️ More fundraising power ➡️ Incentive to lean in harderhttps://t.co/t8nFn4yZX8 pic.twitter.com/c0ZILGY8q5
— Neal Rothschild (@nrothschild3) January 25, 2022
In a new look at social media effectiveness of various politicians, it seems that two stand out from the rest. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) generate an enormous buzz when they post to social media.
Is that because people like or oppose their policies, or is there more to it than that? President Joe Biden gets little social media activity compared to these two firebrands. Even Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) struggled to generate much social media impact despite bucking their Democratic colleagues and shutting down the Left’s agenda over the last few months. That’s a surprising revelation.
Perhaps how one uses social media is the most important thing. Some say that Cruz and AOC are popular on social media because they are polarizing and outrageous. That may be part of their success, but it isn’t the whole story. At times, the two tag each other over controversial ideas and proposals. They tease, mock, and agitate one another, and each other’s passionate audiences.
Apparently, the internet loves how Cruz and AOC use social media. It certainly helps them translate the online experience into fundraising dollars and online influence. The question is, does it get them votes when it matters?
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