Robert Scoble should be an online political strategist (Twitter and the politics of listening)

You know, I go to these conferences and hear the same people talk about new media and campaigns and getting their message across, blah blah blah but I never hear about how politicians get input from voters. Yes, there are grassroots campaigns but they are largely orchestrated and rarely come from "grass roots."

Enter Twitter. Just a few minutes ago Scoble wrote about how he uses the service versus how some people think it should be used.

But there +is+ value in having a great group of people you're following. Follow @craignewmark and you'll see what Craig is seeing or thinking (he's the founder of Craigs' List). Follow @pierre and you'll see what he's thinking (he's the founder of eBay). Follow HRBlock and you'll see what the team at H&R Block is thinking about taxes and such. Follow @newmediajim and you'll see what Jim Long, who is a camera guy in the press pool at the White House, is thinking about.

Now, do you start to get it? If you define yourself by who is following you you'll always feel inadequate. After all, you can't control your followers and any idiot can follow people. But, define yourself by who you are following and you can really build something of high value.

Do you get it? He's L I S T E N I N G. Remember when Sen. Clinton (D-NY) launched her campaign with a "listening tour?" Not much listening took place. Those town hall sessions you see? Participants are routinely screened and questions planted. We know this.

Robert has figured out what only a small number of politicians do, and those are the ones who aren't in the leadership. Remember Sen. Al D'Amato (R-NY)? He was known as "Senator Pothole" because of his commitment to his constituent services. Robert Byrd (D-WV) may be almost a century old, but he still cares about West Virginia enough to steer tons of federal funding there, and his "case work" staff is one of the best in Washington.

Talkers get headlines. Listeners get things done.

Another example? Comcast! They've got an entire program devoted to listening to social media and using new technology to connect with their constituents customers.

Listen. Listen. Listen.

If you're in @SiliconValley, you need to follow @Washington. If you're in Washington, you need to follow  @SiliconValley.  Then, you need to have a real conversation.

Patrick Ruffini is right. The next campaign managers will be online strategists who know how to listen to voters. Not pollsters, listeners.

You heard it here first.