Blogs and politicians

The Live from Brussels weblog contemplates the use of blogs by politicians:

Luc Van Braekel launches a discussion on his weblog: should government ministers in Belgium blog and RSS more (Ministers moeten meer bloggen en RSS'en). The debate seems to have taken a turn in the direction of: they shouldn't be blogging, they should be governing the country more properly. While I certainly think it would be interesting if these people blogged, I think members of parliament, or aspiring politicians that haven't been elected yet, can get more use out of blogging. After all, it is the task of the legislative branch to debate and represent the people, two things weblogs can help them with. The executive branch however can also benefit of blogging, because it makes it possible to comunicate quicker and more efficiently than via the 'normal' channels. Anyway, if the subject interests you, head to Paris, where my boss is organising an event about blogs and politics next month...

MP's and blogging - a new way to communicate? - from Hansard

Bloggers take on politicians - from the BBC

Blogging European Commissioner

Why politicians should have blogs? (pdf file)