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Monday, November 26, 2012

The challenge to continue taking advantage of the 'Math Men' of Obama

The campaign for the election of Barack Obama was an example of mathematical use of a data universe of potential voters and how this information applies to the electoral strategy, an experience that is expected to be very useful to the Democratic Party and that companies could learn. Jim Messina, the chief strategist of the Obama campaign, said this week, in his first press conference after the election, the important thing to achieve re-election was the "door to door" and contact with a base of supporters and neighbors in certain districts or counties. The political strategist acknowledged that, for it, it took a powerful digital engine and information analysis to classify and identify voters, in what areas , should be mobilized to regain the presidency of the United States. Messina recalled the advice he gave the president of Google, Eric Schmidt: "You do not need politicians need the smart people are going to draw what you want and they will go to build." And what they created was a structure set up for the campaign of 2008 and improved in 2012, that was based not on advertising experts or political marketing, popularized for decades as the 'Mad Men', but young mathematicians , programmers , experts in social media to now has been given the name 'Math Men'. Andrew Ferguson, of 26 years , a student at Brown University doctorate in the field of software for data analysis, says that "what the Obama campaign has done is apply Internet to collect large amounts of information, put it together and cross with software linking seemingly unrelated variables before ". "What is interesting about the Obama campaign is the large number of sources used, and that Internet and the expansion of social networks has been vital, "said Ferguson, who works for a group of Princeton University who happened the outcome of the elections with its own set of data analysis. For example, computer experts from the headquarters of Obama managed to pool databases voter registration, county undecided, the frequency of its donors gave money or if they did a particular candidate profile more or less moderate. The donor or supporter They provided their data and receive personalized messages that invited them to get involved in the campaign and talk to your neighbors "door to door". "Every email they had just received had been checked many times, "Messina added, ensuring that before the elections had a clear picture of how key states were leaning through your system. The so-called "data-mining" grossed over 13 million emails in 2008, a number that has increased in recent years and has been supplemented with addresses, telephone numbers, information and preferences on friends Facebook and even favorite television series. "The Obama campaign has been a valuable lesson for companies or organizations to promote themselves, combining information, identifying patterns and adjusting the test message in strategic parts of the population, "said Ferguson. The new part of this process is: what to do now with all this information once you have achieved the goal of reelection?, something that experts are curious once the second term. "We built a campaign that made ​​people want to be involved and volunteer," says Messina, which could help the complicated Obama's new mandate, which is facing another fiscal reform and immigration. Messina commitment to maintain communication with their vast network during the second presidency, for which recently sent a survey asking members of these networks to determine what policies they seemed more important for the future. The information will probably end up transferred to the Democratic National Committee (DNC), which could use it to mobilize the population during the debate on certain policies in Congress. Severinghau Erik founder SimpleRelevance, a company dedicated to exploring new ways of digital communication, wrote in an article in Forbes that Obama's campaign was able to do and must continue to do is "maintain regular communication, customize the message to make it relevant the receiver and continue checking the strategy."

Morsi says the decree that shields before the law is temporary and calls for dialogue

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi insisted on Sunday that his constitutional declaration is temporary and does not mean to powers , while he appealed to the various political forces toachieve consensus on the Constitution. In a statement, the Egyptian Presidency defended the decree, which shields all Morsi decisions to justice, stressing that seeks to "meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people and protect the way of a successful democratic transition " "The Presidency reiterates the temporary nature of these measures, which are not intended to concentrated power , but to prevent any undermining of democratically elected two bodies (the upper house of Parliament and the Constituent Assembly) and preserve the impartiality of the judiciary, "says text. Also emphasizes its commitment that all political forces carried out a democratic dialogue to "reach a national consensus on the constitution , which is the cornerstone of modern institutions of Egypt. "

Protests of citizens

Since last Thursday decided Morsi shield their full executive and legislative powers by ordering that all decisions are final and without appeal in court until the entry into force of a new constitution, have not stopped protests arise in which nearly 300 people injuredThe then president also declared indissoluble Islamist current upper house of parliament and the Constituent Assembly, ordered to repeat the trials of those involved in the killing of protesters during the last revolution and replaced the then Attorney General, Abdelmeguid Mahmud, who had held that position since the former regime of Hosni MubarakThese decisions have widened the gap between his supporters and detractors in Cairo's Tahrir Square, near which continued sporadic clashes Sunday between police and protesters.

Tents in Tahrir

Meanwhile, the former epicenter of the Egyptian revolution last year continued this Sunday floodeddozens of tents with which opponents seek to pressure the president to rectify. At the entrance to one of those stores, Karim Matar, a member of the liberal Al Wafd party history, said he will stay there "until Morsi return to the path of democracy . " Kill considered the Islamist "has not acted out of love for Egypt, and that continues to run a dictatorship as it was before that of the military."

For and against Morsi

The center of the capital Sunday was buzzing with people discussing their various positions in dances and wandered among banners youth movement, and other liberal parties anonymous calling "the resignation of the government." The young university Raduas Ismail, who confessed to be there out of curiosity, said that " the 'rais' is trying to improve the country , but many do not want to do anything and it will not last long." Other samples of Morsi support have also been organized in recent days by the Muslim Brotherhood and the Freedom and Justice Party, which the Islamist belonged before becoming president, while the fragmented opposition has chosen to join forces and meet the government. the Nobel Peace Prize Mohamed ElBaradei said Sunday in an interview with the German magazine  Der Spiegel and other media currently no danger of a civil war in Egypt. "Even the pharaohs had as much power as him," said ElBaradei, also critical of the current Constituent Assembly Islamist forces dominate and that, under the new constitutional declaration issued, can not be dissolved by any court despite appeals pending in this regard. Mursi, who had previously tried to dismiss the country's chief prosecutor, Mahmoud Abelmeguid finally did last Thursday naming in place for four years and the judge Talaat Ibrahim, whose appointment becomes dependent on the Presidency , not judges. "We need as a new constitution and changes in the judiciary. Morsi is doing well , "said the lawyer Omar Osman in Tahrir. The judiciary has also reacted to the controversial split decision after a series of Mursi previous disagreements. If this Saturday the Judges' Club, the leading association of judges in the country, declaring an indefinite strike and threatened to expel those who do not seconded, the Minority Movement of Judges for Egypt-linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, announced its support instead President. For its part, the General Assembly of the Union of Journalists of Egypt supported this Sunday second a strike at a date no concrete and withdraw from the Constituent Assembly. Even the political and judicial earthquake has moved to finance in the form of uncertainty , as the Egyptian Stock Exchange suspended trading on Sunday their half hour with heavy losses.

Premier League l Between Chelsea and City won the boredom


That Rafa Benitez could expect something very different from a return to Liverpool was pretty obvious. That Stamford Bridge to devote an entire first half to the support of the former coach Roberto Di Matteo a little less. Banners, personal messages on A4 paper, but above all choirs in support of the technical - the most sensational per minute 16 'with the entire stadium standing ovation - that six months ago led Chelsea to the top of Europe. It 's basically this is the most interesting event of a game that at the level of football, under the watchful eyes of Roman Abramovich, has given very little. On the one hand, Chelsea primarily designed to defend and then leave, again showing embarrassing gaps in the offensive zone, with Torres unable to sting and Hazard after booting from a summer storm seems to have turned into a light rain fall, while the other side there was a City still far from his best form, with a possession that points to the reward but with a paucity in terms of chances created which eventually returns to Manchester with a poor - but fair - punticino.There he finds himself the cousins ​​of the United back on top of the Premier (+1). Chelsea however, with the third point in 5 games, doing so exceed the third place from the amazing WBA Steve Clarke.
THE GAME - yet the City, at least at the start, try to take immediately in hand over control efforts at the usual possession undermining one of a Chelsea boot rather shy. Of great scoring chances but there is no trace and along with Zabaleta - but Kolarov - particularly inspired by the strong emotions do not come.
ATTACKS STERILE - Chelsea tries first of all to not take them but when finally, in the middle of the first half, he also manages to raise the center of gravity - with an Oscar still on the shields - the race of blocks further. Attack of the Blues in fact, despite the usual movements of the Brazilian, with a lone striker Torres reference is as usual sterile and Chelsea worries not hardly ever sleepy Joe Hart, on the other hand, however, the men of Mancini, with Dzeko from 'beginning, they are the same, and when the 36' Aguero ends with a weak header from the edge of the small air their good side of the Bosnian, you realize that the first time will only end in one way: 0-0 .
DROWSINESS - And the recovery, per se, does not give any better. If in the first quarter of an hour both teams give the feeling of wanting to try more, and Chelsea in particular willing to expose themselves continuously, the real work for Hart and Cech not there is not even a shadow and only the flood strikes will force London warehouse washing of uniforms. Torres tries with a conclusion of the first 61 'but his shot flies high into the fray Mancini Tevez in place of Dzeko but rather throws the flag for Citezens not get anything.
THE POINT - What should have been the match of the week closes it with a dull zero to zero, which, in the end, everyone unhappy. On one hand, the City loses the top of the Premier in favor of Manchester United despite the usual problems in the last few weeks seems much more convincing than all'undici team of technical Jesi, while the other Rafa Benitez comes out in the most total discontent of the public to Stamford Bridge. Of course, in order to evaluate the hand of Spanish manager will serve far more than four days of training, but the "Rafa OUT" that much of the public faith Blues sported the cameras whenever their chattering a corner tells how a victory Today, more than ever, would have served to Benitez to start on the right foot. Instead came a par with the overtaking Ranked an assistant (Clarke) of a former manager (Mourinho) which at Stamford Bridge still keep the coat ... A ghost that Spanish just can not get out of the back.

The competitions for vacant public gather 22,000 to 1.12 million Chinese


China the country that two millennia ago "invented" the opposition to a government official, held this Sunday in various parts of the country expected official examinations for positions in the administration, which this year are aspiring to 1.12 million only 22,000 jobs. According to Xinhua agency, the number of applicants is 6.6% higher than last year and is expected to next year's competition even more fierce, as there have already 1.5 million more Examination of applications (33%) for even less jobs than in 2012 (21,000). The written test is basically a test of skills and a text comment , constituting only the first part of the path to the official position, and that those who pass the tests still have to pass an interviewThe agency official said that the increased interest of the young Chinese in this test is causing concern , with what is interpreted as an excessive obsession of workers to obtain government jobs (which may be anindication of future corruption ). There is also fear that excessive attracting the best talent for civil service positions affect other economic sectors, the less educated workers arriving. In China, as in other countries, the official position has always been considered a very stable job , but sometimes are worse paid than the private sector or other sectors. Traditionally, Chinese officials have been nicknamed " the Iron Bowl , "referring to the food had always assured, unlike common workers whose porcelain bowl could be broken. Tests to officials in China are the legacy of which for millennia held aspiring emperor mandarins or officials, opposition oldest history. Many students spent decades studying for it during testing and were isolated from the world for days , locked in exam rooms in places like the Temple of Confucius, which still stands today in the center of Beijing.

Vettel became champion in a race of myocardial


The Interlagos race was won by Englishman Jenson Button, ahead of Fernando Alonsoand Felipe Massa , but this second position the Spaniard, the thirteenth podium of the season was not enough to unseat the German leadership that withstood the pressure and beat him by only 3 points. Fernando Alonso , who completed the best season of his career, fighting to the end at a distinct disadvantage and after covering a season of great prizes without the slightest mistake can be proud of-work it has agreed for the first time pointing across the paddock as the best driver of the year. The Ferrari driver has known all along to make the most of the available car and circumstances. Vettel , meanwhile, has built its success after an impressive championship final in his Red Bull has been noticeably higher than your opponent's car.
Home exciting
The start was spectacular. Seconds before turning off the lights started to rain, increasing the tension. Hamilton and Button took the lead, but behind the battle was impressive. Alonso , that started seventh, was placed fifth and Vettel , who was fourth, suffered a spin after touching withBruno Senna and spent the first turn on the twenty. The German was very lucky what nerve to move no-no one gave him a blow because its sides spent the grill. The excitement was increased when Fernando went to Webber and Massa in the second round, standing on a podium position tentatively given the title. The dream, however, lasted only two laps. Pelting rain, Nico Hulkenberg took an off Alonso on lap four for third, taking the Spaniard options. Button grabbed the lead on lap six, while Hamilton ,Alonso and Vettel , already fifth, stopped on lap ten for rain tires mounted. While Hulkenberg he clinched the lead in passing Button on lap 19, Hamilton and Alonso pit again for dry tires and checking the tactics of his rival, Vettel did a lap later. The output of the safety car on lap 22 to clear the track after Rosberg regrouped punctured both career and Hulkenberg as Button took advantage to make the first pitstop, but lost more than 20 seconds ahead enjoyed. The race resumed on lap 30 and Hamilton regained the lead on lap 48 after a semi-spin HulkenbergA new theatrical coup occurred on lap 54 when Hulkenberg 's car hit Hamilton at the end of the straight, causing the abandonment of English and he was penalized with a drive-through ¿. Buttonbecame the new leader, Alonso third and Vettel , eighth. It reopened the hopes of Fernando in the rain ending, but disappeared when two laps Scottish accident Di Resta caused the second safety car period, who announced the victory of Button ahead of Alonso and Massa . Vettel , who finished sixth, took third consecutive title of his career.