"Local Blogging"

There is a recent post on Jill Walker's blog about ways in which people are using blogging for purposes like running for political office or running a university. She talks about a man who, after being an active member of local organizations, has decided to run for office and he is blogging it. Walker thinks "...the immediacy of blogging might work particularly well at such a local level." I'm wondering how large the audience will actually be? Is politics an area of life that, if a politician decided to, while running for office, blog about it, even those who don't normally read blogs would decide to start?

She then links to a New York Times article called "Bridging Divide with Students, Some College Leaders Take to Blogs." The article says that, while some college presidents are worried about public relations in terms of what their students and faculty are posting on their blogs, other presidents are choosing to create their own blogs. There are different ways in which the presidents choose to present themselves on their blogs. One president discussed in the article, from Trinity College, posts on just about anything, incuding thoughts on elections results, etc. The lawyer whom the author consulted frets: "A casual comment taken out of context, a longstanding problem not addressed, or a politically controversial position can all torpedo a president, he said." But, should this stop the blogging?

Also, while there are many different types of blogs, I have to wonder whether some of the presidents' blogs are really worthwhile. For instance, some put up posts about their concerns for campus diversity and other "platforms." I ask: what is the difference between this and writing an article in the campus newspaper? I suppose that the blog format may resonate with students because of its current, personal feel. Yet, I wonder how long this will last before the lawyers win out and the sites shut down.