Knesset campaigns go online as parties seek to emulate Obama
The campaign for the upcoming Knesset election is moving online, as parties set aside major chunks of their campaign budgets for Web development and look to Barack Obama's successful model.
Sani Sanilovich, who is coordinating the Likud Internet project, says the party wants to conduct an "Obama-style campaign." Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, who has filmed a series of Web ads for the site, "very much believes in the medium. Once every two days we collect questions and proposals, and he answers them directly. He's also on Facebook," says Sanilovich.
Likud intends to use the sites to build social networks, host blogs for Netanyahu, Likud faction members and bureau staff, and bring in volunteers.
The site in Russian will also post updates and call for volunteers, but its bloggers will be Russian-speaking "celebrities," such as authors. Visitors to the Russian site will also be asked to help choose a campaign slogan in Russian.
