You've loaded up your iPhone with Yelp for restaurants and Shazam for
music. Now get ready to download a dose of "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down
this wall" from a popular political figure of the past: the Gipper.
The Ronald Reagan iPhone app, introduced this week, promises to
"deliver Ronald Reagan right to your fingertips," offering the
speeches, sayings and photos of the "Great Communicator" to a
potentially wider and younger audience, thanks to the popular mobile
technology.
The efforts of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley
(Ventura County) mean that five years after his death, Reagan's
appearance on the iPhone may break new ground, political insiders say.
"What's smart about it - and why you'll see it happen more and more
- is that people are just living on their mobile devices," says Wade
Randlett, a Silicon Valley Democratic activist and major fundraiser for
President Obama. "They're giving up on laptops because the mobile
device does everything you need."
Who's next?
With the late 40th president of the United States in the vanguard in
the ranks of politicians' apps, it may be only a matter of time before
a Clinton app, a Nixon app - even a Schwarzenegger or Palin app - are
available, too.
That's because the trailblazing app starring Reagan, who was also
the trailblazing former star of "Death Valley Days," could be a model
for politicians seeking new ways to fire up and reach supporters,
potential donors and build a political base.
Like-minded people
Just as the Obama campaign broke new ground in the 2008 election
with a huge Internet presence and text messaging, the Reagan app has
found a way to deliver the goods politicians love: like-minded people
who want to hear your message.
"It lives on your phone, so you have it anytime and anywhere ... and
it gives people an opportunity to participate when they're ready," said
Randlett. Besides, the free app provides the Reagan Library with "a lot
of information" about followers and supporters and a Rolodex of
contacts - political gold, he says.
Still, Randlett says the idea of an iPhone app with a political bent
"makes more sense for other politicians, as opposed to dead
politicians."
It's educational
But Duke Blackwood, who heads the Reagan Library, says he approached
iPhone maker Apple Computer of Cupertino more than a year ago to
explore the idea of a Reagan iPhone and iPod Touch application - one
that would be "as an educational thing, not a political thing."
They came up with the first-ever app for a presidential library and
for the National Archives, where subscribers can now get their daily
Reagan fix:
Images and detailed descriptions of the Reagan Library's spectacular
annual "Christmas Around the World" exhibit, messages from former first
lady Nancy Reagan, iconic photos of President Reagan, inspirational
quotes, even full-length speeches including Reagan's famous "tear down
this wall" speech and his "Evil Empire" address.
"This is really only the first step in many technological
outreaches," Blackwood said. "What we hope to do is education, which is
very challenged today, particularly in California with budget
constraints. So we're working on the next step - to have a classroom on
the iPod."
With some voters who weren't even born when Reagan was president now
able to access his words at the touch of a finger, Andrew Rasiej,
publisher of political blog TechPresident.com, says that it's a trend
to watch.
"This development shows that even deceased politicians are learning the difference between a server and a waiter."
Source:
Sfgate
