Chicago-Style Politics on Twitter: How the White House Uses Social Media

Rob Bluey / July 06, 2011

President Obama takes questions later today at the first-ever Twitter town hall. This high-profile event is yet another example of the White House’s embrace of social media to communicate directly with Americans

But behind the scenes, there’s another story unfolding about the Obama administration’s use of Twitter. For some White House staffers, it’s a way to bully critics and promote a liberal agenda. In fact, that’s one employee’s job.

Jesse Lee is the White House’s director of progressive media and online response. It’s his job to rebut bad news about Obama. Prior to his appointment in May, the White House didn’t have such a position. Neither did any previous administration for that matter.

Lee has used the $72,500 job to routinely pick a fight with Kevin Eder, a prolific Twitter user who describes himself as a conservative provocateur. Eder is a frequent target, the subject of 15 percent of Lee’s tweets — from an official White House account no less.

Is this an appropriate use of taxpayer money? And what do former White House officials think of Lee’s activity? Read the full story today at the Daily Caller.