Why Aren't Candidates Talking More About Tech Issues?

WHY AREN'T CANDIDATES TALKING MORE ABOUT TECH ISSUES?
[SOURCE: Technology Daily, AUTHOR: Sandra Gonzalez]
When Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney confused the YouTube video-sharing site with the MySpace social network in a speech about online predators this summer, techie fingers were wagging and Romney found his technology awareness being questioned. The episode shows how much attention technology is getting in the 2008 race. David All, a Republican media consultant, said candidates' tech savvy is being tested and critiqued more than ever. Unfortunately, he added, candidates in both parties are "pretty pitiful" in proving that they are knowledgeable about tech-related topics. All said their failure to address important technology matters is largely due to the campaign staffs thinking the issues do not need to be addressed. "You're not going to find network neutrality on any poll," he said in a reference to one hot-button Internet policy topic of the past two years. "But they are issues that influential people care about." If the staffs aren't interested in tech issues, All said, the candidates do not get the information because they "principally rely on staff" for briefings on specific issues. A group called Obama For Technology is working to develop a broad-based technology platform for Democratic candidate Barack Obama. Edmund Dante Hamilton, the founder of the group, said that with voters caring more about candidates' views on issues like the Iraq war, it is no wonder technology issues are not first priority for campaigns.
http://nationaljournal.com/about/technologydaily/prespackage07.htm#3