Social Media Activity of Senator John Cornyn - Case Study Example

Social Media Activity of Senator John Cornyn s 18 Jan Social Media Activity of Senator John Cornyn 0 Introduction John Cornyn is the US Senator representing Texas and who has served since 2002. He is affiliated to the Republican Party and is the current Majority Whip in the Senate. He is widely popular for his social media activity and is regarded to be one of the most social Senator, who also belongs to the small fraction of Senators who at times engage with their audiences. He is particularly active on two of the largest social media sites- Facebook (account name- John Cornyn) and Twitter (account name- JohnCornyn @JohnCornyn) This paper will discuss the social media activity of Senator John Cornyn, in two of his most active forums on Facebook and Twitter. 2.0 Facebook or Twitter- which between the two is Senator John Cornyn most active? As earlier mentioned, Senator John Cornyn is quite very active on social media, usually addressing various topics in his posts and tweets. He is especially very active on Twitter as compared to Facebook, averaging about ten tweets each day versus an average two Facebook posts per day. A close look at the two social media account shows some similarity in the type of content that Senator John Cornyn posts or tweets. However, not all information from his Twitter account is found in his Facebook account. For example, on 13 January 2015, Senator John Cornyn sent a tweet on his condolences to the French citizens following the brutal attacks that marred the country a week earlier. The post read, “Signing condolences to the French People for their equivalent to 9/11, on 1/7/15” (Cornyn, 13/1/2015) Similar information was posted on his Facebook account, albeit a day later (14 January 2015) which read, “Signed the condolence book for the citizens of France today in response to the brutal attacks last week. The book will be sent to the citizens of France via the French Ambassador to the U.S” (Cornyn, 14/1/2015). Both the tweet and the Facebook posts are accompanied by the same picture. Looking at the two posts, there are several things that show a slight difference between Senator John Cornyn’s use of Twitter and that of Facebook. First, he is quite more active on Twitter as compared to Facebook although he is seen as more conversational on the latter. In this case, for example, Senator John Cornyn uses more formal communication on his Facebook page compared to his presentation of similar information on Twitter. It is also worth noting that these two updates are posted at slightly different times (a day’s difference) which is a clear indication of the Senator’s preferred social media platform. In both updates, the Senator does not converse in any way although a check on some of his other updates especially on Facebook shows that he indeed responds to some of his audiences queries on his updates. A case is seen when he responds to one of the Facebook’s user on a Facebook update on 12 January 2015 that read, “Tax relief for Texans—I’m cosponsoring S.126 to provide Texans with a permanent deduction for state and local sales taxes on federal tax returns. This will put Texans on a level playing field with other taxpayers to help you keep more of your hard-earned money.” (Cornyn, 12/1/2015). One of the users (follower) by the name Kim Walker probes, “Thats already in place. Did you not know that? I saved every single receipt a few years ago and didnt have enough” (Cornyn, 12/1/2015). Senator John Cornyn responds to his thread by stating, “The measure currently in place is a temporary one that has to be renewed on a regular basis. S.126 would make the deduction permanent.” (Cornyn, 12/1/2015). 3.0 An analysis of Senator John Cornyn random tweets- how personal are his tweets? Senator John Cornyn is a very active Twitter user and is regarded as one of the few Senators who have maintained their high interaction through the social media since its inception. He tweets on most topics ranging from personal, social and in most cases political matters. In most of these interactions, the Senator is seen to be quite friendly and engaging in what can be described as not strictly formal. In some cases, he is seen responding to some of his audience’s mentions through the retweet function. For example, “Thanks, Chad RT @ChadHastyRadio: NEXT, Senator @JohnCornyn joins me. Listen online at http://www.kfyo.com” (Cornyn, 4/3/2014) Ha! "@max2500hd: @JohnCornyn I get my news from Sen John Cornyn. I always wondered what senators do… #NewsFeedCornyn” (Cornyn, 19/9/2014). Senator John Cornyn covers a variety of topics in his social media communication, some of which are not necessarily directed to his constituents. For example, on 23 September 2014, he tweeted on a medical-related subject on a condition referred to as tendinitis. The tweet read, “News you can use: Texting frequently with thumbs may cause tendinitis http://on.wsj.com/1qnwnSE via @WSJ” (Cornyn, 23/9/2014) In this example, he was providing information about a study that had been carried on the condition and this information was generally directed to his Twitter followers who did not necessarily have to be his constituents. The Senator also discusses numerous national issues that do not necessarily relate to or affect his constituents directly. For example, on 9 December 2014, one of his tweets read, ‘CIA director rebuts report, says interrogations ‘saved lives’ http://wapo.st/1AbvdAr’ (Cornyn, 9/12/2014) In other cases, Senator John Cornyn is seen addressing issues that appertain directly to Texas, although this happens in relatively rare occurrences. For example, on 17 November 2014, one of his tweets read, ‘Texas successes spur support for criminal justice reform’ http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Texas-successes-spur-support-for-criminal-5897416.php?cmpid=twitter-desktop … via @undefined (Cornyn, 17/11/2014) This tweet followed another one which the Senator had posted on 18 October 2014 that read, ‘Texas Voter-ID Law Allowed by U.S. Supreme Court http://bloom.bg/1vrA3cX.’ (Cornyn, 18/10/2014) Looking at most of his communication on Twitter, Senator John Cornyn can be described as being personal in most of what he posts. Despite not showing downright personalization, most of his tweets sounds quite normal and frank with a sense of personality that is constant in virtually all his communication. It is, thus, easy to assume that he personally composes most of his communication posted in his social media forums. A good example is seen when he responds to his audience especially in quite a casual way such as in this case, Ha! "@max2500hd: @JohnCornyn I get my news from Sen John Cornyn. I always wondered what senators do… #NewsFeedCornyn” Cornyn, 19/9/2014) 4.0 Purpose of social media communications- how does Senator John Cornyn use social media? Social media can be utilized to serve various functions today. For politicians such as Senator John Cornyn, social media can be used to serve various agenda such as interactions with constituents and other Members of Congress, attempt to influence political agenda and stating or advertising positions on certain policies or bills among other uses. For the case of Senator John Cornyn, a close look at most of what he communicates through his social media platforms is largely composed of two main areas. Attempt to advertise policy positions or show support or lack of it on certain bills As earlier mentioned, Senator John Cornyn is quite vocal on issues concerning the national parameter such as policies and concerns about various stances that the National Government takes. The Senator is also actively involved in campaigning for or against issues that affect the US as a whole. For example, the following Tweets tells it all about it. ‘So if House acts, Sen. Reid will kill border bill? Senate border bill doomed’ http://tinyurl.com/lrpfx99 (Cornyn, 26/7/2014) ‘What is HHSs plan for influx of immigrant kids? | TheHill’ http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/209974-lawmakers-ask-hhs-about-plans-for-migrant-kids#.U6NdkFWRROg.twitter … via @TheHill (Cornyn 2014, 20/6/2014) ‘House GOP to Tie ‘Doc Fix’ to Individual Mandate Delay (Updated)’ http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/house-gop-to-tie-doc-fix-to-individual-mandate-delay/ … via @rollcall (Cornyn, 7/3/2014) Reporting about constituency activities Senator John Cornyn also frequently reports various matters that affect Texas through his social media communications. The following are some of his tweets on Texas; ‘Congrats to worlds largest startup @Dell celebrating 30 years as a global tech leader and a top employer to 15,000 Texans #Dell30More’ (Cornyn, 6/6/2014) ‘The most competitive Senate races in the country’ http://wapo.st/1pYviX0 (Cornyn, 23/6/2014) ‘Texas tops nation as fastest-growing state for tech jobs’ http://austin.culturemap.com/news/innovation/08-10-14-texas-top-state-for-tech-job-growth-in-america/ … via @culturemapATX (Cornyn, 11/8/2014) 5.0 An analysis of the response method used by Senator John Cornyn in his social media platforms Senator John Cornyn is quite social and engaging in his social media platforms although this happens in just a few of his Facebook posts and rarely on his Twitter platform. This attracts discussions on his social media updates and thus most of his communications are usually accompanied by threads of comments and discussions. Nearly all his Facebook posts have their comments taking a conversation form although in most cases the conversation takes place between the other users commenting on the Senator’s posts and tweets. For example, this post on Facebook by Senator Cornyn elicited a lot of discussions attracting over 136 commentators in a conversation that followed. However, the Senator has yet to reply to any user. “Facts matter: No part of President Obamas executive action on immigration was funded in CR-ominbus, notwithstanding erroneous touted by those interesting in spreading misinformation. Only a temporary bill was passed for Department of Homeland Security that expires Feb. 27, 2015. Look for additional funding restrictions on executive action then, plus action on lawsuits challenging the executive action (especially the Texas case filed in Brownsville federal court), and additional border and other security measures that will be passed by new Republican majorities in both Houses of Congress.” (Cornyn, 4/1/20). In most of his messages, Senator Cornyn addresses the issues affecting US in general but this can assumedly be of much importance to his constituents. The Senator rarely directs his communications specifically to the Republicans; rather, he is seen to incline more to addressing national issues without necessarily placing boundaries between the Republicans and the Democrats. Bibliography John Cornyn (2013-2015) John Cornyn. Facebook. Available from: https://www.facebook.com/Sen.JohnCornyn?fref=nf. (18/01/2015). John Cornyn (2013-2015). Twitter. JohnCornyn@JohnCornyn. Available from: https://twitter.com/JohnCornyn. (18/01/2015). Read More