Six months ago, we went out on a limb and endorsed Barack Obama and John McCain as the most tech-friendly candidates of each political party. McCain clinched the Republican nomination long ago, and now with Obama as the presumptive nominee for the Democrats, those endorsements are getting some renewed attention. Today, the LA Times wrote a lengthy article on Michael and his efforts to make technology policy part of the national debate.
The story also notes:
Arrington also claims the distinction of predicting the presumptive nominees from both parties back in January when the outcome was far from certain.
So you see, we’re not always wrong.
Seriously, if you are interested in the behind-the-scenes story of how we got Obama, McCain, John Edwards, Mitt Romney, Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich to answer serious questions about technology from a blog, read the article.
And, more importantly, now that the general election has started, what should we push the candidates on next?
See the full coverage of the TechCrunch Tech President Primaries here.
Well your not really special, until you can predict who’s going to become our next president? So Who’s it going to be…? What’s your prediction?
I’d love to see TC press both cantidates to provide a concrete plan on the H-1B visa issue rather than simply ideas and promises
Joe -
I totally agree. see our post here on the issue.
http://www.tech...h1b-visa-quota/
Wow, that would be impressive if TC was a policital blog, since it’s not, you still FAIL. How about making a technology prediction right since you are a technology blog.
Hey Mike,
Awesome piece on LAT, Congrats. I think you should push them on Immigration issues like H1b visa and GC for potential immigrants…
Thanks for your efforts.
- V
What a horrible future.
I’m not seeing where an actual prediction was made (though I haven’t looked terribly hard). Did you actually predict these would be the final candidates, or merely endorse them as your choices for each party?
Mike – yes I saw that and have been following the issue throughout the candidate interviews. It drives me nuts that politicians often feel they are doing something unpatriotic by increasing the H-1B quota when the opposite is true.
Wow, let’s see your post on your prediction of bent crude prices!! Betcha can’t guess that one!!
the only reason you picked those 2 is because they were one of the few ones that actually let you interview them
@Joe McCain laid out a very comprehensive plan to greatly increase H-1B Visas. There was press coverage too, however the media didn’t rant about it… they were too “busy” with Obama’s attack to get the Democratic Nomination.
2) Blogs4McCain.com lead the way in getting McCain toward the top of the polls when TechCrunch offered the option. Good work – blogosphere.
3) Endorsements ARE NOT predictions. So I would definitely reevaluate your political weight… Erick.. or supposed.
Why isn’t there someone on the Cabinet with overarching tech responsibility?
Someone to spend money once rather than, I suspect, all the different tech choices that each of the untrained cabinet make for each of their depts?
I love TechCrunch, but come on – an endorsement is not a prediction. Geesh, dictionary.com for crying out loud.
agree that we made no predictions, we simply endorsed the candidates that we felt had the best policies on technology.
Who are you predicting as president now?
———————–
Yes We Can!
Obama ‘08 ‘12
one of the reason why i love TC.
I spend 3 hours a day reading TC. I could as well work for TC
Mike, Who do you think is going to Win Obama or McCain [ Sorry! kind of stupid question,... just kidding ]
Cheers, Nag
I feel I must apologize to Michael and the rest of TC for my snide remark on endorsement vs. prediction. Uncalled for. I love TC, no need for me to bash. I’ve been in a mood today.
“agree that we made no predictions, we simply endorsed the candidates that we felt had the best policies on technology.”
“One Prediction We Got Right: The Presidential Nominees”
then change your title -
Go Jessica!
How about a prediction as to whether a net neutrality bill will be passed?
I have not heard much about this lately and it is one of the most important issues facing us today.
There’s a huge need for more H1B visas, or maybe a reform to change them. You should ask them what they want to do about it. Let US companies make the most of these skilled immigrants that want to add value to this country.
No immigrants, No USA.
Eu unu sincer nu inteleg care e faza cu alegerile la voi in SUA.
Maybe the endorsement proved that having a strong grasp of technology is the future of this country and something that voters want. I think it shows the candidates grasp of emerging economies and advancements that will lead to more jobs and american influence.
So did you endorse the best tech candidate or the one you predicted was most likely to prevail?
Is it ironic that they are the same?
we most certainly need an enlightened h1b policy.
better competition in the broadband space as well.
How about starting with a candidate who uses the web:
NYT 6/24/08
“Mr. McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is taking a bit of heat for having said earlier this month that he was computer “illiterate.”
And just yesterday, Mark Soohoo, his deputy e-campaign director, drew guffaws at an Internet conference in New York when he tried to dig his candidate out of a techno black hole.
“It’s a mistake to assume John McCain has no knowledge of this,” Mr. Soohoo said during a panel discussion with the Internet strategists of some other presidential campaigns.
“You don’t necessarily have to use a computer to understand how it shapes the country,” he said.