The Digital Divide Between McCain And Obama

On Friday, All Things Considered offered a three-part comparison of presidential candidates Barack Obama (D-IL) and John McCain (R-AZ), noting they have different digital resumes. Their habits were shaped, in part, by what they were doing when the digital age arrived. Sen Obama has more experience using the Internet and mobile digital tools like the Blackberry. Sen McCain has referred to himself as computer illiterate, but is quick to pull out his cell phone to consult directly with experts. Former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell, a technology adviser to McCain's campaign, says despite the Republican presidential candidate's reluctance to use technology on a personal basis, he "understands technology very well" from his time as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee on Commerce. Powell says Sen McCain hopes to create momentum in all branches of government to foster "a range of e-government initiatives." That would include making more government services available online and hiring people with substantial tech experience to "populate throughout the government." Former FCC Chairman William Kennard says Sen Obama would create a cabinet level "chief technology officer" who would make sure the federal government imports the best technology tools from the private sector. That person also would be charged with making sure government is more transparent and that there is outreach to the public to get the "best ideas on how we can govern the country." "Obama understands that the future of our economy depends to a large extent on how we can ensure that Americans have access to technology and we empower Americans to use it," he says.