Jack Kingston

A big hat-tip to Andy Roth over at the new Club For Growth website for pointing out this BBC article regarding the emerging ownership YouTube has on the video downloading phenom. (I was just as surprised as you to see CFG linking to BBC, but that’s a discussion for a later date.)

Internet video site YouTube has said its users are now downloading more than 100 million videos per day.

WE get it. Folks We like YouTube. We also like Tivo. Heck, we like everything on our terms because sometimes you just happen to miss the best skit on SNL or you just have to see Joe Lieberman’s latest flash cartoon.

So what can we learn from YouTube, MySpace, Flickr, et al.?

Well first and foremost, on this side of the keyboard, public officials can and should embrace this “new” technology. Why? Because that’s where their constituents are, and it’s their job to reach out to them. And most importantly, that communication would be on their terms.

Second, we can take note that people like to upload, create, develop, edit, and join or start a discussion. No longer are politicians and public officials competing with just their own delegation for ink. Now, they are competing with millions of content-providers.

So how does one bridge the gap?

Jack Kingston has urged his staff to find new and remarkable ways to connect him with his constituents. He’s launched a Constituent MailTube where anyone can send him a question (via YouTube) and he’ll answer back in the same medium. His interns are also producing their own short clips to help show you what he’s up to in Washington. And he’s of course blogging on a regular basis.

So where do you come in JackNation? That’s a great question.

You’re leading the charge folks. It’s your responsibility to keep this blog going. Check in daily, leave a comment, share it with your friends, send in a MailTube, it’s all up to you.

After all, what would happen if a Congressman started a blog and invited discourse? What would happen if you had a direct pipeline in to the annals of Congress? Would it matter to you?

Because on this space, you have an opportunity to answer those questions. If you want.