This Week in Politics & Digital: Iowa Winners, Debt Downgrades

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On this week’s roundup of news at the intersection of tech and politics, we’ve got visual breakdowns of the social political space, the digital results of last weekend’s Iowa debates — and what happened when former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich met CollegeHumor.

The Ames Straw Poll in Iowa raised the stakes in the Republicans’ race to be their party’s pick, even as former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty dropped out. Meanwhile, the country is teetering on the verge of a double-dip recession thanks in part to the debt ceiling settlement and Standard & Poor’s downgrade of the U.S. credit rating. This is the Week in Politics & Digital.

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Social Media Winners of the Iowa Debate

Last weekend was all about the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa, a public vote to test the relative strength of GOP presidential candidates in the early primary state. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota won the day, but social media gave us a different result following the Iowa debates. CBS News looked at how the Twitterverse responded to the candidates’ performances. The most positive sentiment surrounded former Utah governor and U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman — and a now ex-candidate, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

CollegeHumor Lampoons the Debt Downgrade

Still confused about last week’s S&P downgrade to the U.S. credit rating that sent markets tumbling? In this satirical video, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich lends his deadpan voice to explaining the apocalyptic result of further downgrades. The video ends on a serious note, pointing out the need for jobs and growth to avoid economic disaster.

YouTube & Politics

YouTube has become a major resource for politicians and the politically interested. It’s a forum for elected officials to reach out to their constituents, and for people to stay up to date on debates, announcements and gaffes. YouTube is celebrating five years of political activity with two infographics, one on the results of its recent Town Hall and one on the intersection of YouTube and politics in general.

Images courtesy of Flickr, CrumleyFamily, zennie62

More About: 2012 election, politics, social media, week in digital politics, youtube

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