I read today that Barack Obama has created a new “unit” of his campaign staff, with the purpose of combating online rumors.

Good luck to him.  He’ll need more than a unit.  More like a battalion!

No presidential candidate, or CEO for that matter, can afford to ignore the power of the Internet in spreading rumors (or spreading truth!).  The trench wars are getting brutal. You just can’t hide your head in the sand and pretend your enemies aren’t pummeling you with virtual attacks.

Of course, Obama might consider the fact that the positive has mostly outweighed the negative, so far.  He’s been the beneficiary of amazingly positive internet exposure like those videos of the “Obama Girl” and the celebrities singing “Yes We Can” — today’s version of online kumbaya.

On the other side of the spectrum, I read on Telegraph.co.uk that Republican John McCain is turning to Google for help in his bid to find the ideal running mate for president.

Will they announce the winner of the online search?  Will people expect McCain to choose the winner?  Will people vote once, or many times?  Perhaps they’ll follow in the footsteps of American Idol.

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