Wednesday, November 11, 1998

The digital election

Whatever else U.S. Rep. Bob Livingston's tenure as speaker of the House of Representatives becomes known for, his elevation to that post marks a new era in political campaigning - the digital election.

You'll note the Republican congressman from Louisiana is already being referred to as speaker. But the vote in the majority Republican caucus to choose its nominee for speaker doesn't take place until Nov. 18, and the general vote for speaker doesn't actually occur until after the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 6.

It's not terribly unusual for such races to be decided ahead of time, with contestants lining up their supporters well in advance. What was different about Livingston quick "election" was the technology employed - the cellular phone, which reaches far beyond the office and office hours.

Livingston apparently worked his cellular phone like mad over the weekend, getting his ducks so thoroughly in a row that his sole remaining opponent, Rep. Chris Cox of California, conceded the race on Monday morning and withdrew.

Now, if we could figure out how to make all political campaigns so short ...