Today, MSNBC released some findings and stats on the social media buzz surrounding the three remaining GOP presidential candidates. Their analysis of the data indicated that Rick Santorum had the most social “buzz” of the three candidates. Let’s look at a few points from the MSNBC analysis.
“In the week leading up to the Feb. 7 contests, those Facebook and Twitter users preferred to talk about Romney by a ratio of more than 6 to 1 over Santorum.
Beginning Feb. 8, however, Santorum has been the No. 1 topic of conversation. This week, more than two-fifths of every post expressing an opinion — 41 percent — were about Santorum, compared to 32 percent for Romney, 15 percent for Gingrich and 12 percent for Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.The msnbc.com analysis suggests that while people are much more enthusiastic about talking about Santorum, they’re not any more enthusiastic about the man himself. On Feb. 7, before results of the three contests were known, 42 percent of Santorum’s comments were positive to 58 percent negative; Thursday, after a debate Wednesday night in Mesa, Ariz., where Santorum came under sustained attack from Romney and Paul, the breakdown was 38 percent to 62 percent.”
Here is the important thing to keep in mind. “Buzz” means “activity”. It does not mean “approval”. This is not a partisan statement. Don’t confuse “motion” with “progress”. Chris Brown got lots of social network “buzz” when he beat up Rihanna. That hardly translated into “approval”.
Jay Conrad Levinson, the author of the hugely-popular “Guerrilla Marketing” series of books and lectures, noted:
“Good advertising helps a bad product fail more quickly.”
The Internet has not been much of a friend to Rick Santorum. His “Google problem“, and his ill-informed, childish responses to it, has become the stuff of legend. A presidential bid may have been floated as a way for him to rehabilitate his image, but it does not seem to be having that effect. The “spreading Santorum” issues are talked about more than ever. He leads the pack in “buzz”, but it is increasingly negative.
So, Rick Santorum’s leading in “buzz” is not necessarily a good thing. Here’s is a current sampling of Twitter statements about Santorum, with a particular effort to show both views.
@AttyAbdul
Abdul-Hakim ShabazzRick Santorum will be on the ballot. Let’s move on.
57 minutes ago via web · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@williamcusack
William CusackRick Santorum is opposed to theocratic regimes. In that case it’s best not to vote for Rick Santorum. 1 day ago via web · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@kathrynlopez
Kathryn Jean Lopezrick santorum: just because i am talking about it doesn’t mean i want a government program to fix it. that’s what the Left does. 1 day ago via web · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@MarthaPlimpton
Martha PlimptonThere is no religious test for the presidency of the United States, Rick Santorum. You’re thinking of Iran. 1 day ago via web · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@NewtGrassroots
NewtThe easiest way to guarantee the reelection of Obama is only 3 words long: Nominate Rick Santorum. http://t.co/Rf3OUj8W #tcot @talkmaster 4 days ago via web · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@CharlesMBlow
Charles M. BlowRick Santorum is talking like a deranged televangelist these days. Does he not realize that this makes him absolutely unelectable? 5 days ago via web · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@TPCarney
Timothy P CarneyRick Santorum has been asked more about a contraception joke he didn’t make than Obama has been asked about a contraception law he did make. 6 days ago via Echofon · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@BorowitzReport
Andy BorowitzAttention Rick Santorum: you are running for President. The position of Spanish Inquisitor is no longer available. 2 days ago via Twitter for iPhone · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@BuzzFeedBen
Ben SmithA GOP operative emails: “If Rick Santorum doesn’t think Protestants are Christians, I wonder what he thinks about Mormons.” 5 days ago via TweetDeck · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@dgardner
Dan GardnerSome people confuse Rick Santorum and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad but they’re quite different. One has a beard. http://t.co/wU9BaGOf 2 days ago via TweetDeck · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@DavidLimbaugh
David LimbaughPlease quit saying Rick Santorum looks 2 young to be president. Paul Ryan looks 25 and we’d vote for him. LOL 6 days ago via TweetDeck · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@StevenSmithsays
Steven SmithChris Brown respects women more than Rick Santorum. 4 days ago via Twitter for iPhone · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@HCRKenzieCollar
Kenzie FolleséYA THATS RIGHT I’M LOVING SANTORUM #SantorumForPresident #TEAMSANTORUM 1 day ago via Twitter for iPhone · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@clarkekant
Clarke KantIf these are the things Rick Santorum thinks are ok to say out loud, I’m terrified to know what he’s thinking. 3 days ago via Tweetbot for iOS · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@D_Love12
DylanI’ll celebrate President’s Day when we have a real President in office!! #nobama #SantorumForPresident @TClarkDetBB 3 days ago via Twitter for iPhone · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@techweenie
techweenieRick Santorum is the candidate of the people who are disgusted and frightened by sexual intercourse. Not a large constituency. #p2 #CTL 4 days ago via Twitter for iPhone · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@thisEpicLife
AEI’m on the @RickSantorum bandwagon!! #Santorumforpresident 1 day ago via Twitter for iPhone · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
@OTOOLEFAN
Don MillardRick Santorum should have played the preacher in FOOTLOOSE. 7 days ago via TweetDeck · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto