(I just submitted this to the Obama campaign, from the Contact Us page. I urge you, if you agree, to do the same)

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Senator (and soon President) Obama,

I think the work done by the campaign has been amazing, in terms of the use of web technologies and properties to not only promote Obama but also to disseminate clear, understandable information.

I think it would be an exciting game changer if Obama were to publicly state, in the weeks remaining, his intentions to maintain a new kind of political "dashboard" site, that continues in the tradition of barackobama.com.

Rather than fade into the government woodwork and lose transparency, I’d like to see something like presidentobama.com or similar that tracks ongoing issues, policy positions, and breaks down bills, laws, and amendments in the same clear language and fashion that invites a two way conversation with the president and public.  Don’t let the social aspect of the campaign die; use the tremendous power of open and shared communication, and the skills you have demonstrated during the campaign, to foster a new kind of relationship between the public and elected office.   

I’ve followed you on Twitter, I’ve downloaded the iPhone application, and I would say there’s no doubt that you and your campaigns initiatives to use new communications mediums have played a role in my increased perception of involvement. Don’t squander the valuable and palpable connections you have made with people

Let’s see continued involvement campaigns, talk back features, community organization efforts. You have demonstrated your ability to mobilize and engage people to participate in the democratic process, perhaps more than anyone in recent history. Don’t leave that lying on the table when you walk into the oval office.

I had to choose a category to send this email, and I wavered between "offering the campaign a suggestion" and "a voting issue". I think this is significant enough to be the latter.

The current whitehouse.gov site has made interesting, but far too little progress in this area. Please take the time to continue the work you’ve started and change the face of the government and democratic dialogue, to instill or reignite a culture of involvement and mutual respect with the people, something that has been absent for far too long in America.

A concerned, excited, and hopeful voter,
Richard Goodwin

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