Obama tries to force control over a fan's website

Joe Anthony started a page on the social website myspace.com as an unofficial tribute to Barack Obama in November of 2004. Initially, the Obama political campaign worked closely with Anthony and utilized what he created instead of making their own site. But as friend request towering over 160,000 people, negotiations over control broke down as Anthony requested a payment of $39,000 as compensation for the time he had devoted to the site. It seems that the Obama campaign had mentioned some sort of cash payment for control of the site but is unclear who brought it up first. Anthony posted on his blog on Tuesday that campaign is trying to "bully" him out of control of the page. According to Anthony the message is clear, when you get big, it's a liability for the candidate.

I just find this interesting. The guy made the page out of good will towards Obama and had even offered them access to what is his. Yet when it came down to control, they just wanted to take the page with out compensating him. That's seriously cheap considering how wasteful they are with campaign money. Also, why would you want to censor message left on the site? It's part of free speech. I think it's okay for an individual to do this, but not a political candidate. It sends the wrong message. Good thing he did this cause it gives a small glimpse into what kind of person he really is.

READ