Our Blog: where do you stand?

Healthcare Reform: Can Twitter Predict the Outcome

By: Jennifer Brinkmann | 07/22/2009

Working in a firm of writers, we frequently debate word choice, wondering if a particular word represents the intended meaning as well as evokes the desired emotion.  In a story from National Public Radio this morning, a representative from Gallup discusses the words each political party is choosing in the healthcare debate.  The democrats are pitching us a "public option" that the Republicans are calling a "government plan." 

The earlier attempts at healthcare reform, both from  government and industry, have been unsuccessful in large part due to their attempts to limit choice for patients.  With this in mind, it is interesting to note the current words from politicians -- "option" and "plan."  The proponents of the current legislation are pitching it as increasing choice while the oppponents are pitching it as limiting choice.  It remains to be seen which side of the debate will prevail. 

I would argue that the winning side will be the side that influences a majority of the electorate and media to use their words.  Which words will reporters, bloggers and Tweeters use as they describe the legislation? Will the level of usage of certain words determine who wins the debate? While certainly not as scientific as a Gallup poll, a Twitter search looking for the words "health," "reform" and "option" returns 43 Tweets from today, and a search for the words "health," "reform" and "plan" returns 92 Tweets from today.  This real-time research may show us which direction voters are leaning on the issue.

This exercise makes me think the next time we are debating the use of a word, I'm going to turn to Twitter to justify my argument, or is that position?

Posted in Brand Positioning, Digital Communications