When The Nerds Go Marching In

When the Nerds Go Marching In examines the increasing role and centrality of the internet within election campaigns across established democracies since the 1990s. Combining an extensive review of existing literature and comparative data sources with original survey evidence and web content analysis of digital campaign content across four nations--the UK, Australia, France, and the U.S.--the book maps the key shifts in the role and centrality of the internetin election campaigns over a twenty year period. Based on her findings, Gibson speculates on the future direction for political campaigns as they increasingly rely on digital tools and artificial intelligence for direction and decision-making during elections.

Digital technology has moved from the margins to the mainstream of campaign and election organization in contemporary democracies. Previously considered a mere novelty item, technology has become a basic necessity for any candidate or party contemplating a run for political office. While it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the first digital campaign was officially launched, the general consensus is that the breakthrough moment, at least in terms of public awareness, came during the 1992 U.S. election cycle. At the presidential level, it was Democratic nominee Bill Clinton who laid claim to this virtual terra nova after his staff uploaded a series of basic text files with biographical information for voters to browse. Since that time, use of the internet in elections has expanded dramatically in the U.S. and elsewhere. When the Nerds Go Marching In examines the increasing role and centrality of the internet within election campaigns across established democracies since the 1990s. Combining an extensive review of existing literature and comparative data sources with original survey evidence and web content analysis of digital campaign content across four nations--the UK, Australia, France, and the U.S.--the book maps the key shifts in the role and centrality of the internet in election campaigns over a twenty year period. Specifically, Gibson sets out the case for four phases of development in digital campaigns, from early amateur experimentation and standardization, to more strategic mobilization of activists and voters. In addition to charting the way these developments changed external interactions with citizens, Gibson details how this evolution is transforming the internal structure of political campaigns. Despite some early signs that the internet would lead to the devolution of power to members and supporters, more recent developments have seen the emergence of a new digitally literate cohort of data analysts and software engineers in campaign organizations. This group exercises increasing influence over key decision-making tasks. Given the resource implications of this new "data-driven" mode of digital campaigning, the book asserts that smaller political players face an even greater challenge to compete with their bigger rivals. Based on her findings, Gibson also speculates on the future direction for political campaigns as they increasingly rely on digital tools and artificial intelligence for direction and decision-making during elections.

This book seeks to address the question of how we should understand the impact of Mitt Romney's faith in the 2012 election. As the first Mormon to earn a presidential nomination from a major party, the book provides a comprehensive study of Romney's historic candidacy.

Hold onto your shirts and plumes...they're back! From the author of the hugely popular BAND NERDS Poetry From The 13th Chair Trombone Player, comes The Marching BAND NERDS Handbook, a humorously inspiring guide to surviving life in the marching band world. All the best (and funniest) secrets are revealed in this series of rules and illustrations that, if followed strictly, almost guarantees world domination. Did you know that clarinets are secretly ninjas? Or that even band parents need supervision? If you've ever taken a step on the marching field or have just driven by a field on the highway, this handbook can solve every problem in your life (actual results may vary).

In a house trailer in the rural South, a married, Vietnam veteran, addicted to pharmaceuticals, haunted by memories of the past is on the brink of collapse. Just when he thinks the dream of another life is over, the unspeakable happens. He falls in love with a frail, ghostly younger man who reminds him of youth, beauty, and the possibility of a life beyond the prison he has created for himself. A Scarecrow's Bible is about what happens when love occurs at the most unexpected moment. It is the story of how working-class men and women in a small town adapt to changes that somehow seem impossible. It is a novel of hope and transformation that challenges our ideas about diversity and social change, all the way breaking our hearts.

Band Nerds Poetry From The 13th Chair Trombone Player by DJ Corchin is a book of humorously inspiring poems and illustrations all about BAND! Come join the crazy antics of those lovable band nerds like the egotistical trumpet player, bad boy percussionists, flirty yet stuck up flute, overzealous oboe, and many more. Explore the hilarious world of band geeks, music dweebs, and well...you get the picture. But be careful, you might just fall in love with them. Whether you've been in band, saw a band, or can spell the word band, you'll love this instant classic!