Facebook, Politico Partner for South Carolina Primary

The social media company will provide the politics hub with real-time data on voter sentiment

 

Politico and Facebook announced a partnership on Wednesday, as the social media giant will help the politics-centered website track buzz around the Republican presidential candidates heading into the South Carolina primary on Jan. 21

Facebook will gather mentions of the candidates in posts and comments across the United States, as well as measuring whether the sentiment being expressed is positive or negative. Facebook will also survey voting-age users to get a better sense of where they stand.

Politico will have exclusive access to that information, posting it with analysis from its journalists.

“Social media has forever changed the way candidates campaign for the presidency,” John Harris, editor-in-chief of Politico, said in a statement. “Facebook has been instrumental in expanding the political dialogue among voters and we couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to offer our readers a look inside this very telling conversation.”

Also Read: Jon Stewart: When Does Ron Paul Get to Be the Media Frontrunner? (Video)

Politico becomes the latest media company to join forces with a social or technology company during the election. Among the many examples, Facbeook partnered with NBC News for its “Meet the Press” debate this past Sunday while Fox News partnered with Google to use its analytics and search data during the New Hampshire primary.

Thus far, there has already been a post on how Mitt Romney had no reason to fear a surge from Rick Santorum in New Hampshire. Ron Paul’s huge social media popularity has also been noted.

Neither of those is particularly revelatory, but South Carolina is expected to be a more interesting race than New Hampshire proved to be.

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