Internet marketing strategist Rich Schefren made a rather bold claim earlier this week. He said that Democratic Party nominee Barack Obama won the 2008 United States Presidential Election due to the Democrats’ masterful use of social media marketing.

While Rich put forth some persuasive statistics - and we have also published similar indicators that Obama dominated on the Internet - I’m not sure I agree. Sure, Obama campaigners may have harnessed social marketing better than McCain… but was that really the clincher?

And even if it was, doesn’t that beg the question of WHY? Why was Obama able to stir up such activity on the Internet? Weren’t their deeper reasons driving people to be so vocal?

In any case, if it IS true that the Democrats beat the Republicans online… the GOP is already taking steps to fight back and, in particular, make better use of social media marketing.

First big step: the launch of RepublicanForAReason.com.

Developed by the Republican National Committee (RNC), RepublicanForAReason.com has similar aspirations to the Democrats’ website Change.gov. The Republican site will be a platform for grass-roots supporters to share and discuss their views about the future direction of the GOP.

In the words of RNC Chairman Robert M. Duncan:

“we need to hear what our volunteers, activists, elected leaders, and party members think about the Republican Party as we rebuild, re-focus, and renew our bond with the American people.”

Sounds like a good use of social media to me. And just what the Republicans need to do in light of their election defeat.

But I’ll tell you one thing: poor choice of domain name. Too long and hard to type. And by the way who was the incompetent who forgot to register RepublicansForAReason.com?

Hmmm… I wonder how many people will type that in… and what will they see when they go to THAT site? Someone is set to make some good money from parked domain name revenues. Until the lawyers get involved of course…

Sources: Rich Schefren, “The Biggest Reason Why Barack Obama Won The Election”, Strategic Profits Blog, November 11, 2008, Richard MacManus, “Republicans Use Social Media Too”, ReadWriteWeb, November 12, 2008