Candidates as Hubs of Connectivity

Interesting thesis put forth by Thomas Friedman this morning:

Message: In U.S. politics, the party that most quickly absorbs the latest technology often dominates. F.D.R. dominated radio and the fireside chat; J.F.K., televised debates; Republicans, direct mail and then talk radio, and now Karl Rove's networked voter databases.

The technological model coming next - which Howard Dean accidentally uncovered but never fully developed - will revolve around the power of networks and blogging. The public official or candidate will no longer just be the one who talks to the many or tries to listen to the many. Rather, he or she will be a hub of connectivity for the many to work with the many - creating networks of public advocates to identify and
solve problems and get behind politicians who get it.

Friedman's one-issue platform sounds rather similar to the Jeffrey Simpson thesis from the Canada25 event of May that, if a political leader, he would focus on making Canada the "most globally interconnected country in the world."

Therein lies a political campaign focal point for any of our Canadian political parties. Who will be the first to grab the torch? And will the Globe and Mail or QP reporters covering who is "Hot or Not" on the "BBQ circuit" even notice?