A #SocialMedia Story: The Rise And Fall Of @RepWeiner
Early on the afternoon of Oct. 25, 2009, Rep. Anthony Weiner tapped 18 characters into his mobile device: "i have a follower!" It was the New York Democrat's first tweet -- a modest beginning to an online broadcast career destined to make him infamous.
Weiner was not your typical Twitter politician. For starters, he wrote his own tweets. He also picked fights with media celebrities and political foes.
Weiner's flamboyant, playful and occasionally confrontational style earned him both a loyal following on Twitter and kudos from the mainstream press. In March of this year, Time magazine named him one of the 140 best tweeters.
But then, a day after Weiner promoted a flattering article about his Twitter prowess, this happened:
Weiner alternately joked about the publication of a raunchy photo to his Twitter feed and engaged in legal posturing.
But when reporters pressed Weiner for answers upon his return to Capitol Hill after Memorial Day, he bristled at their persistence, calling one CNN reporter a "jackass."
The on-camera clash created the impression of a politician protesting too much and invited more scrutiny of Weiner's Twitter habits, including his pattern of "following" pretty girls who professed their affection for him. One was former porn star Ginger Lee.
