California gubernatorial hopeful Gavin Newsom's town-hall meeting [Updated]

Did you hear? Gavin Newsom, the Democratic front-runner for California governor, held an online town-hall meeting today.

No? You didn't hear?

The San Francisco mayor hosted yet another teleconference at noon today, taking questions from Facebook and Twitter users.

The live-stream video was embedded on Newsom's Facebook page, but didn't draw much of a crowd.

[Updated, 6:10 p.m.: Nick Clemons, a representative for Newsom's campaign, called to tell us that the viewership numbers reported earlier in this post were deceptively low. The numbers were taken from UStream’s live report. Due to technical problems that caused the video stream to periodically cut out, UStream's report was inaccurate.  UStream says 4,500 people tuned in over the course of the hourlong chat, company representative Shari Folds wrote in an e-mail that was forwarded to us by Clemons. An early headline on this item described the town-hall-style meeting as "lonely."]

 

Viewers drifted in and out as Newsom answered questions about taxes, parks and marijuana decriminalization. The latter is a popular topic online, and one that President Obama faced during his own town-hall meeting.

"You could not find a stronger supporter of medical marijuana," Newsom said, referring to his pot policies. "I'd love to see that happen."

Newsom is no stranger to taking on controversial subjects. Addressing the idea of a healthcare public option, which San Francisco has ...

... implemented to an extent, Newsom said: "The American flag is still here in city hall. We haven't replaced it with a Canadian flag."

At the broadcast's height, Newsom nearly maintained 200 concurrent viewers, according to video host UStream's on-screen statistics. The number slowly climbed as some Facebook users buzzed about the video in status updates.

That was soon hindered by technical issues that didn't reflect well on the UStream service or its co-founder John Ham, who was interviewing Newsom.

"I hope some of you are still watching," Newsom said.

"Oh, we have a ton of people watching," Ham said, at which point the on-screen counter clocked in at 115. "I know there are millions of you out on the Internet that would love to ask the mayor a question."

Newsom likes the idea of merging social media with government. "Imagine governing like this -- not just campaigning," Newsom said. "This is going to transform the old vending machine approach to government."

Will his newfangled vending machine be able to attract a larger audience in future sessions?

-- Mark Milian

Comments

[ben tucker]

mr millian,

did we watch the same event? not only was 150 one of the low numbers i saw during what most would consider to be an innovation in capturing the attention and feedback of today's voters, but if you're at all familar with ustream 'analytics,' that number was from a single location. as in, 150 viewers in one spot. that's huge. not tea-party-protest huge, huge-huge - don't glenn beck this.

so not only are you disseminating falsehoods, you're doing it in a manner that shows blatant disregard for a 'newfangled vending machine' that just happens to be changing the way voters interact with their elected within a technological medium comfortable for all. please get familiar with the technology before posting illogical rants, some might find it tiring.

regards.

[Bob Lygren]

Gavin, I just had the pleasure of having dinner in the City. When I reviewed my bill prior to payment I say a new tax. It was I believe Health fee or something like that. What is that all about. Havn't you realized that we are tired of tax after tax? Politicians just don't have a clue. From a political standpoint San Francisco is a joke.

[Conservative Allstar]

Looking forward to seeing Meg Whitman embarrassing this clown.

[Dr.NosePikens]

Like it or not Gavin Newsom you have opposed A.B.390 from the beginning. The truth is you don't want marijuana legalized to adults over 21/taxed/regulated.
It's because of spineless politicians like you that it's now going to the people to vote on.

[Uncle Bernie]

Newsom is noted for two things: embracing homos and illegal aliens. That is not enough of base to elect this farthest of far left lunatics.

[Ivan]

This was a great idea that was unfortunately marred by technical problems. :(

[DJK]

The guy once fellated a microphone publicly. He's a schmuck and has no business at the big table. Great, he's pro pot... me too, but the rest of his hypocritical policies are crap.

[Fritzy]

Let's see. He got divorced while in office and then was banging his campaign managers wife. He pleaded a mea culpa to needing help with alcohol and then turned himself into a rehab unit for 30 days. Even Gordon Getty can't save this clown.

The Dems HAVE to have someone else, don't they ????