There is an ongoing and hopeful discussion in many corners of the equity world about how an Obama White house would re-engage citizens in the task of governance. His campaign integrated a powerful network of traditional ground-based neighborhood groups with Internet-based social networks (particularly the my.barackobama.com site) to greater effect than any campaign in modern history.

But it remains far from certain that commitment to two-way-street dialogue will continue all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Those hoping the engagement will continue got a hopeful sign today, when the Obama trasition team sent out a five-page survey to its massive email list asking recipients how and where the movement should go forward. It is an in-depth and responsive questionnaire that delves deeply into respondents’ desires for next steps.

Coupled with the somewhat rudimentary, form-based “share your vision” section of the Change.gov transition site and the rumors that Obama will appoint as his White House Budget Director a man who already blogs, the signs are pretty good that the new president may bring a broad-based engagement strategy to Washington.

Tags: , civic engagement, obama, transition

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