On Friday morning, President Obama asked the American people to “tweet” their representatives in Congress about the debt ceiling crisis.  His re-election campaign quickly tweeted out:

“The time for putting party first is over. If you want to see a bipartisan #compromise, let Congress know. Call. Email. Tweet. —BO”

By signing the tweet “BO” the campaign was reiterating that this message was coming directly from the President himself.  The Daily Caller suggested that the #compromise hashtag was actually in direct response to a New York Times reporter’s suggestion.

For the rest of the day, Obama’s re-election campaign tweeted the Twitter handles of all the Republican members of Congress.  The strategy might have backfired.   

"Bam's spam? President Barack Obama takes debt battle to Twitter, loses more than 33,000 followers," the Twitter account @whitehousepresscorps tweeted as of 6pm Friday.

Mashable thinks the number is closer to 37,000 lost followers. 

This of course begs the question, can social media engagement be detrimental to a candidate?  Obama’s campaign claims that the unsubscribe rate was expected.  However, given that most political pundits expected the GOP to not #compromise, was the social media strategy an unnecessary loss of followers?

Below is a complete transcript:     

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BarackObama Barack Obama 

But keep contacting your legislators til we have a deal. You can find your member of Congress on Twitter here: OFA.BO/q6D8oX

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Thanks for contacting your legislators, and for sticking with us amid our tweeting today. We're done now, we swear.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Wyoming Republican rep on Twitter: @cynthialummis #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Wyoming voters: Tweet @SenJohnBarrasso and ask him to compromise on a balanced deficit solution.

 

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Wisconsin Republican reps on Twitter: @reppaulryan (WI-1), @repseanduffy (WI-7), @repribble (WI-8) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

If you live in Wisconsin, ask @SenRonJohnson to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

West Virginia Republican reps on Twitter: @repmckinley (WV-1), @repchelley (WV-2).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Washington Republican reps on Twitter: @herrerabeutler (WA-03), @cathymcmorris (WA-05), @davereichert (WA-08) #compromise

 

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Virginia Republican reps on Twitter: @gopleader (VA-7), @repgoodlatte (VA-6), @reproberthurt (VA-5) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Virginia Republican reps on Twitter: @robwittman (VA-01), @repscottrigell (VA-02), @randy_forbes (VA-04), @repmgriffith(VA-09).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Utah Republican rep on Twitter: @jasoninthehouse (UT-3) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Utah voters: Tweet @OrrinHatch and @SenMikeLee and ask them to compromise on a balanced deficit solution.

 

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Texas Republican reps on Twitter:@michaelcburgess (TX-26), @farenthold (TX-27), @petesessions (TX-32).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Texas Republican reps on Twitter: @lamarsmithtx12 (TX-21), @olsonpressshop (TX-22), @repcanseco (TX-23), @repkenmarchant (TX-24).

 

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Texas Republican reps on Twitter: @repkeygranger (TX-12), @repronpaul (TX-14), @repflores (TX-17), @randyneugebauer (TX-19).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Texas Republican reps on Twitter: @repjoebarton (TX-06), @congculberson (TX-07), @RepKevinBrady (TX-08), @mccaulpressshop (TX-10).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Texas Republican reps on Twitter: @replouiegomert (TX-01), @jodgetedpoe (TX-02), @samspressshop (TX-03), @rephensarling(TX-05).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

If you live in Texas, ask @JohnCornyn and @kaybaileyhutch to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Tennessee Republican reps on Twitter: @dianeblacktn06 (TN-6), @marshablackburn (TN-7), @repfinchertn08 (TN-8).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Tennessee Republican reps on Twitter: @drphilroe (TN-1), @repchuck (TN-3), @desjarlaistn04 (TN-4)

 

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Tennessee voters: Tweet @SenAlexander and @senbobcorker and ask them to compromise on a balanced deficit solution.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

South Dakota Republican rep on Twitter: @repkristinoem#compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

South Dakota voters: Tweet @johnthune and ask him to compromise on a balanced deficit solution.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

South Carolina Republican reps on Twitter: @reptimscott (SC-01), @CongJoeWilson (SC-02), @tgowdysc (SC-04), @repmickmulvaney (SC-05).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

South Carolina voters: Tweet @JimDeMint and @GrahamBlog and ask them to compromise on a balanced deficit solution.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Pennsylvania Republican reps on Twitter: @repjoepitts (PA-16), @reptimmurphy (PA-18).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Pennsylvania Republican reps on Twitter: @repbillshuster (PA-9), @reptommarino (PA-10), @reploubarletta (PA-11), @dentpressshop (PA-15).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Pennsylvania Republican reps on Twitter: @congressmangt (PA-5),@jimGerlach (PA-6), @repmeehan (PA-7), @repfitzpatrick (PA-8).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

If you live in Pennsylvania, ask @SenToomey to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Oregon Republican rep on Twitter: @repgregwalden (OR-2) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Oklahoma Republican reps on Twitter: @usrepsullivan (OK-1), @tomcoleok04 (OK-4), @replankford (OK-5) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Oklahoma voters: Tweet @TomCoburn and @jiminhofe and ask them to compromise on a balanced deficit solution.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Ohio Republican reps on Twitter: @repjimrenacci (OH-16), @repbobgibbs (OH-18) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Ohio Republican reps on Twitter: @repbilljohnson (OH-06), @steveaustria (OH-07), @stevelatourette (OH-14), @repstevestivers (OH-15).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Ohio Republican reps on Twitter: @repstevechabot (OH-01), @repmiketuner (OH-03), @jim_jordan (OH-04), @boblatta (OH-05).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

If you live in Ohio, ask @robportman to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

North Dakota Republican rep on Twitter: @reprickberg #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

North Carolina Republican reps on Twitter:@suemyrick (NC-09), @patrickmchenry (NC-10) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

North Carolina Republican reps on Twitter: @repreneeellmers (NC-02), @RepWalterJones (NC-03), @virginiafoxx (NC-05), @howardcoble (NC-06)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

If you live in North Carolina, ask @SenatorBurr to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

New York Republican reps on Twitter: @reprichardhanna (NY-24), @repbuerkle (NY-25), @reptomreed (NY-29).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

New York Republican reps on Twitter: @reppeteking (NY-3), @repmichaelgrimm (NY-13), @repnanhayworth (NY-19) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

New Mexico Republican rep on Twitter: @repstevepearce (NM-2) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

New Jersey Republican rep on Twitter: @replobiondo (NJ-02).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

New Hampshire Republican reps on Twitter: @repfrankguinta (NH-1), @repcharlesbass (NH-2) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Nevada Republican rep on Twitter: @repjoeheck (NV-3) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Nevada voters: Tweet @DeanHeller and ask him to compromise on a balanced deficit solution.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

One more Missouri rep: Folks in MO-07 should tweet Billy Long at @auctnr1

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Nebraska Republican reps on Twitter: @jefffortenberry (NE-01), @leeterryne (NE-02).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Voters in Nebraska: Tweet your Republican representative and ask them to support a bipartisan solution to the deficit crisis. #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Montana Republican rep on Twitter: @dennyrehberg #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Voters in Montana: Tweet your Republican representative and ask him to support a bipartisan solution to the deficit crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

If you live in Missouri, ask @RoyBlunt to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Mississippi Republican reps on Twitter: @repalannunnelee (MS-1), @greggharper (MS-3) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Voters with Republican reps in MS: Make sure your representative knows you support a balanced approach to reducing the deficit.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Missouri Republican reps on Twitter: @reptoddakin (MO-2), @rephartzler (MO-4).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Folks with Republican representatives in Missouri: Make sure your representative knows you support a compromise in the deficit debate.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Mississippi voters: Tweet @RogerWicker and ask him to compromise on a balanced deficit solution. #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Minnesota Republicans reps on Twitter: @repjohnkline (MN-2), @reperikpaulsen (MN-3), @michelebachmann (MN-6), @repchipcravaack (MN-8)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Live in MN? Have a Republican representative? Tweet them and ask them to support a bipartisan compromise to deficit reduction.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Michigan Republican reps on Twitter: @repfredupton (MI-06), @repwalberg (MI-07), @candicemiller (MI-10), @thadmccotter (MI-11) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Michigan Republican reps on Twitter: @congressmandan (MI-01), @rephuizenga MI-02), @repjustinamash (MI-03), @repdavecamp(MI-04)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Folks with Republican representatives in Michigan: Make sure your representative knows you support a compromise in the deficit debate.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Massachusetts voters: Tweet @USSenScottBrown and ask him to compromise on a balanced deficit solution.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

If you live in Maine, ask @SenatorSnowe and @SenatorCollins to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Louisiana Republican reps on Twitter: @repjefflandry (LA-03), @repfleming (LA-04), @usrepalexander (LA-05), @repboustany(LA-07).

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Voters with Republican reps in LA: Make sure your representative knows you support a balanced approach to reducing the deficit. #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

If you live in Louisiana, ask @DavidVitter to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Kentucky voters: Tweet @SenRandPaul and ask him to compromise on a balanced deficit solution.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Kansas Republican reps on Twitter: @conghuelskamp (KS-1), @replynnjenkins (KS-2), @kevinyoder (KS-3), @repmikepompeo(KS-4). #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Voters in Kansas: Tweet your Republican representative and ask them to support a bipartisan solution to the deficit crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

If you live in Kansas, ask @SenPatRoberts and @JerryMoran to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Iowa Republican reps on Twitter: @TomLatham (IA-4), @SteveKingIA (IA-5) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Live in IA? Have a Republican representative? Tweet them and ask them to support a bipartisan compromise to deficit reduction.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Indiana Republican reps on Twitter:@replarrybucshon (IN-08), @reptoddyoung (IN-09)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Indiana Republican reps on Twitter: @repstutzman (IN- 03), @toddrokita (IN-04), @repdanburton (IN-05), @repmikepence (IN-06) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Folks with Republican representatives in Indiana: Make sure your representative knows you support a compromise in the deficit debate.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Indiana voters: Tweet @SenDanCoats and @senatorlugar and ask them to compromise on a balanced deficit solution .

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Illinois Republican reps on Twitter: @RepSchilling (IL-17), @repaaronschock (IL-18), @RepShimkus (IL-19)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Illinois Republican reps on Twitter:@JudyBiggert (IL-13), @RepHultgren (IL-14), @donmanzullo (IL-16), @reptimjohnson (IL-15)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Illinois Republican reps on Twitter: @PeterRoskam (IL-6), @RepJoeWalsh (IL-8), @RepDold (IL-10), @RepKinzinger (IL-11)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Voters with Republican reps in IL: Make sure your representative knows you support a balanced approach to reducing the deficit. #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

If you live in Illinois, ask @SenatorKirk to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Idaho Republican reps on Twitter: @Labrador4Idaho (ID-1), @CongMikeSimpson (ID-2)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Voters in Idaho: Tweet your Republican representative and ask them to support a bipartisan solution to the deficit crisis. #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Georgia Republican reps on Twitter: @RepTomGraves (GA-09), @RepPaulBrounMD (GA-10), @repphilgingrey (GA-11)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Georgia Republican reps on Twitter:@JackKingston(GA-1), @RepWestmoreland (GA-3), @RepTomPrice (GA-6), @AustinScottGA08 (GA-08) #compromise

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Live in GA? Have a Republican representative? Tweet them and ask them to support a bipartisan compromise to deficit reduction.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

If you live in Georgia, ask @SenatorIsakson to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Florida Republican reps on Twitter: @tomrooney (FL-16), @roslehtinen (FL-18), @allenwest (FL-22), @mariodb (FL-21),@repsandyadams (FL-24)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Florida Republican reps on Twitter: @RepDennisRoss (FL-12), @VernBuchanan (FL-13), @ConnieMackIV ( FL-14), @congbillposey (FL-15)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Florida Republican reps on Twitter: @RepRichNugent (FL-05), @RepWebster (FL-08), @RepCliffStearns (FL-06), @RepGusBilirakis (FL-09)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Florida Republican reps on Twitter: @CongJeffMiller (FL-01), @Rep_Southerland (FL-02), @AnderCrenshaw (FL-04),@reprivera( FL-25)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Voters in Florida: Tweet your Republican representative and ask them to support a bipartisan solution to the deficit crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Florida voters:Tweet @SenRubioPress and ask him to compromise on a balanced deficit solution

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Colorado Republican reps on Twitter:@RepTipton (CO-03), @repcorygardner( CO-04), @RepMikeCoffman (CO-06)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Live in CO? Have a Republican representative? Tweet them and ask them to support a bipartisan compromise to deficit reduction.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

California Republican reps on Twitter: @RepJohnCampbell (CA-48),@DarrellIssa (CA-49), @BilbrayCA50 (CA-50), @repjeffdenham(CA-19)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

California Republican reps on Twitter: @DanaRohrabacher (CA-46),@KenCalvert (CA-44), @MaryBonoMack (CA-45)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

California Republican reps on Twitter: @RepEdRoyce (CA-40), @RepJerryLewis (CA-41), @RepGaryMiller (CA-42)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

California Republican reps on Twitter: @RepMcClintock (CA-04), @GOPWhip (CA-22), @eltongallegly24 (CA-24), @BuckMcKeon(CA-25)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Voters in California: Tweet your Republican representative and ask them to support a bipartisan solution to the deficit crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

AZ Republican reps on Twitter: @RepGosar (AZ-01), @RepTrentFranks (AZ-02), @benquayle (AZ-03), @RepDavid (AZ-05), @JeffFlake (AZ-06)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Voters in Arizona: Tweet your Republican representative and ask them to support a bipartisan solution to the deficit crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

If you live in Arizona, ask @SenJonKyl and @SenJohnMcCain to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Arkansas Republican reps on Twitter: @RepRickCrawford (AR-01),@RepTimGriffin (AR-02), @rep_stevewomack (AR-03)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Live in AR? Have a Republican representative? Tweet them and ask them to support a bipartisan compromise to deficit reduction.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Arkansas voters: Tweet @JohnBoozman and ask him to compromise on a balanced deficit solution.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Alabama Republican reps on Twitter: @RepMoBrooks (AL-05), @BachusAL06 (AL-06)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Alabama Republican reps on Twitter: @RepJoBonner (AL-01), @RepMarthaRoby (AL-02), @RepMikeRogersAL (AL-03), @Robert_Aderholt (Al-04)

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Voters in Alabama: Tweet your Republican representative and ask them to support a bipartisan solution to the deficit crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

If you live in Alabama, ask @SenatorSessions and @SenShelbyPress to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

AK Republican rep on Twitter: @repdonyoung

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Live in AK? Have a Republican representative? Tweet them and ask them to support a bipartisan compromise to deficit reduction.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Alaska voters: Tweet @lisamurkowski and ask her to compromise on a balanced deficit solution.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

Tweet at your Republican legislators and urge them to support a bipartisan compromise to the debt crisis.

 

BarackObama Barack Obama 

You heard the President. So here's what we're doing: throughout the day we'll post the Twitter handles of GOP lawmakers in each state.

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