As we truck toward November, the political season is really heating up for some. Many candidates this year have chosen to embrace social media, and I think that it’s great that they have chosen these venues to promote their positions on important issues and to help the American people to make informed choices in these elections.

As a North Carolinian, I was excited that our senator turned presidential candidate was grabbing social media with both hands. In the interest of full disclosure, I am not a John Edwards supporter, but I did admire his use of non-traditional outlets to spread his messages. That was, of course, until he conceded the Democratic nomination for president. Although there are a few examples, let look at Twitter:

To the best of my knowledge, Edwards was first on Twitter, and how cool it was! The posts looked like they were coming right from John Edwards’s Blackberry. Here’s one example:

On my way to the 27th stop of our bus tour through Iowa. Can’t believe we only have 1 day left. Elizabeth, the kids and I are having a blast.

Note the use of first person. Now, I think that Edwards had a staffer writing these messages, and so what if he did. They appeared to be from him, and they certainly generated some excitement about the campaign from the more than 5,500 people following him (there might have been more; that is of today).

Then Edwards dropped out of the race. I could be wrong, but he has not dropped out of politics, just this particular race. He could be running for vice president (very doubtful) or even for president in four years. BUT EDWARDS DROPPED THE BALL. Edwards just stopped posting on Twitter. Instead of giving his followers a short farewell, he just stops posting.

If the candidates are going to use social media, they have to be sincere in its use.

That’s my Altyrian View.