Think Obama and McCain really care about tech? Yeah, right

If you reside in Washington for any length of time, it's not long before you believe that the world revolves around the Beltway. The same can be said about Silicon Valley, where a similar fishbowl effect often fosters an exaggerated image of the high-technology industry's impact on the larger culture and society.

Even more so when it comes to gauging the political influence of the technology business on the fall presidential campaigns. You might think the Democrats and Republicans are eager to raise the banner on behalf of their friends in Silicon Valley. The assumption is that the two major parties will cater accordingly. After all, the industry has so much money to spend and all those political action committees, and they naturally want to get their rightful share. Right?

Not so fast.

Sure, the Democrats and Republicans are eager to court deep-pocketed donors. But the power broker image exists more in the minds of the people living between San Jose and San Francisco than it does with the movers and shakers guiding the Obama and McCain campaigns.

With the candidates hitting the road after the wrap-up of the political conventions, this much is certain: The resolution of policy issues like Net neutrality may be near and dear to folks from the likes of Cisco and Google. But neither Barack Obama nor John McCain plans to give impassioned speeches urging passage or rejection of this, or other pieces of, tech-related legislation over the next couple of months.

Earlier Monday, I spoke with my colleague Declan McCullagh on the CNET News Daily Debrief about where the tech agenda fits in with the two campaigns. Declan's back from covering the Democratic and Republican conventions for us where he had an extended opportunity to chat about technology policy with regulars from both parties. You can check out our conversation by clicking on the video link below.

[Penguinisto]

We knew that, Charlie (these are politicians, after all :) ).

/P

[Len Bullard]

I hate to say it, Charlie, but you and Declan sound like two kids with a kool-aid stand that is being bypassed while the adults stroll into the bar. If you haven't noticed, there are issues on the table that are way more important to way more people than net neutrality.

I suspect if the moves by Google keep progressing in their current direction, and the Palin Effect is longer lasting than admitted by the Democratic pundits, the Valley is in for some rather punitive legislative shocks.

When it comes to tech, you're pretty good. When it comes to politics, put your donations in the box at the door and otherwise get your heads down. If this goes as it looks like it might, the San Francisco/San Jose cultures will see another round of 1972, and popularity will plummet.

On the other hand, if everyone keeps their heads, only engineers can get us out of this mess.

[ESKCSG]

I look at McCain and I see an aged man who admittedly knows nothing about internet let alone how to send an email. He is so out of touch with American issues, technology and his memory.

Then take Obama who is constantly on his Blackberry, is extremely active online and understands the issues facing America. He also has a VP qualified to take over should anything happen (unlike McCain).

Net neutrality should be addressed, but I can take a good guess on the positions each will take.

[rowdyguy124]

Even thought Obama himself is less qualified for the job as McCain's running mate. The security of this country, social issues and our economy are far more important to voters than seeing our president using a blackberry device or worrying about net neutrality which is something the private sector should be taking care. Then our govt can tackle much MUCH more important issues. In typical Democratic fashion, let's have the govt take care of us and hold our hand rather than work out a solution on our own.

[bigmc6000]

Who gives a crap if the President uses a blackberry or sends e-mail? I mean honestly. If you base your vote on if the president knows how to use a blackberry then you really need to re-evaluate your priorities. The fact that neither candidate gives a hoot about net neutrality means it's up to Congress to pass something and the president will sign it - if for no other reason than he just doesn't care. Claiming any person running for President is "one of the people" or "understands the issues" is like saying Kobe or Lebron understand what a 5'7" kid is going through on his JV basketball team. Sad thing is there are SOOO many people who are disillusioned to the point where they think a candidate "understands" them. With the exception of Palin every single one of these people went to prestigious schools that the average American wouldn't even bother to apply for. On top of that Obama, McCain and Biden are all millionaires - yeah, really in touch there... Get your heads out of your rears and stop buying the bull crap being put out there by both parties and realize it's still nothing more than the rich good ol' boys running for President. (For those who are curious when McCain was Obama's age he had no where near the wealth Obama does so if the pattern holds by the time Obama gets to be McCain's age he'll be even more wealthy than McCain could ever hope for - just pointing out they are both millionaires, not "average" by any stretch of the imagination)

[One-Eared Gundark]

Well said, bigmc! Far too many people will vote purely based on how a candidate looks, or how "cool" they appear to be. The election of the next POTUS is being treated like voting for prom klng and queen.

[limefan913]

Uhm, Biden isn't a millionaire. He's not even close. His only income is his Senate salary and some money from teaching a few law classes, while his is also a college professor. He's ranked as one of the least wealthy members of the Senate, and has been forever.