Barack Obama knows how to use new media BuzzFeed video to sell Obamacare

The medium is the message

MARSHALL McLUHAN was right. Fifty years ago he was talking about the impact of television on American society. Today, if he were alive, he'd be referring to the Internet and the subsequent birth of all the social media aps that many people - mostly the younger people - rely on to connect with friends, family and anybody else who might discover their photo, video, blog or Tweet.

I only bring up because of the uproar over President Obama's use of Buzzfeed to deliver a message to young people, to enroll in Obamacare, otherwise knows as the Affordable Care Act or the U.S. watered down attempt at providing health care to those who could not otherwise afford it.

His critics - and we know who they are - claim the President is being "unpresidential" for using a popular medium to encourage enrollment in the national health plan. 

Others say the President and his staff understand young people better than the old traditionalist media users. Young people don't read the newspapers or the 6 p.m. news anchors. They get their information, vetted and unveiled, from Comedy Central, late night comedians, Youtube, and any number of social media.

His use of Buzzfeed allows him to reach young people where they hang out (virtually). I understand your needs. I understand how you communicate. 

The President understands today. And I betcha, if he is like me, a baby-boomer coming late to the party, he depends on his daughters Malia and Sasha a lot to find out what's hot, what's trending, etc. 

Unfortunately, I'll bet you also that his detractors will find to use the clip in such a way to demean, discredit or defame him.

The use of the video is brilliant. The medium IS the message ... it is also the massage!

Oh, yeah ... the enrollment deadline is February 15.