With the possible exception of the printing press — invented in 1439 by Johann Gutenberg, no one technological development has impacted politics more than the Internet.

Indeed, it was Internet fundraising that precipitated the rise of Howard Dean in 2004, a dedicated core of bloggers that fueled the Ron Paul “revolution” in 2007 and continually updated sites such as The Drudge Report and The Huffington Post that pressured the ultimate demise of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer.

And that’s to say nothing of Facebook — a network of more than 60 million global users who, along with the YouTube generation, comprise what may be the most tantalizing voter base in politics today.

In this year’s presidential election, voters can “make friends” with each of the leading candidates at their respective Facebook pages, watch campaign ads, and share their own thoughts on important issues.

Enter the Aquinas Student Senate race, which culminates in online elections on March 23 and 24. All leadership positions are up for grabs — the most prominent being those of chair and vice chair.
The following is just a glimpse at the four candidates’ Facebook pages — all information was collected on March 15 and is in the public domain.

CHAIR | John Kalinowski
John Kalinowski, whose interests include board gaming and ironing, describes himself as a “pariah” who sets “the microphone on fire.”

He enjoys all things French — particularly “expatriation” — and is a member of the group “I’m the kind of person they killed during the French Revolution.”

He is also a member of his own fan club.

CHAIR | Brandon Sexton
Brandon Sexton is a traveling man, who lists such things as “road trips,” “hiking,” “camping,” “canoeing” and “world domination” among his interests. His profile gives credence to Facebook — in that it sports his smiling face and takes nearly as long to read as a book.

Favorite quotes include one unattributed that reads: “No one expects the Spanish Inquisition.” He describes himself as a political “moderate.”

VICE CHAIR | Brad Bosserman
When he’s not busy working at the Moose Café, Brad Bosserman can be found “fantasizing about grad schools,” or enjoying “the first half of “Good Will Hunting.”

Bosserman, who enjoys “politics, good books, good women” and “rock shows,” is a member of Aquinas Democrats and is a supporter of Jennifer Granholm, Ted Kennedy and Barack Obama.

VICE CHAIR | Sam Granger
Sam Granger who exhibits “general up-beatness and laid-backness,” describes himself as “conservative” who enjoys Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.

Seven of his friends have voted him most likely to “Kick it with Jesus someday.”

Granger plays guitar and hand-drums, and wishes his life were a “chick flick” so he could share his happiness and “capitalize off it.”