On Twitter, Should Politicians Follow Their Adversaries?
A friend of mine posed this question to me and I think many politicians wonder the same thing. Yes, politicians, you should follow your opponents and those who are outspoken against you and/or your candidacy for three reasons:
1. Twitter is not only a tool for politicians to connect with their supporters but also to monitor what is being said about them. By following an opponent, bloggers, etc., a politician and their staff can easily keep tabs on what the opposition is saying. Twitter is now a major medium for people to communicate, meaning it must be treated as one. Press secretaries comb newspapers for good and bad press — the same should be done on Twitter.
2. Just because a politician follows someone does not mean they have to communicate with them. You are following the person because you want to know what they are saying, not to engage in an online debate.
3. Following users doesn’t allow them to do anything they couldn’t do before. Whether you follow them or not, they can still send negative tweets and reply to your tweets.
By knowing what the other team is saying, a politician can prepare and go on the offensive.
–Chris Walling, Political Editor