If you’re on Twitter and not following Sen. Chuck Grassley, you’re not using Twitter correctly.
The Iowa Republican is known for his colorful and personal Twitter feed. Take a gander: He personally tweets about everything from the History Channel to "Obamacare" to an incident in which he hit a deer with his car (“assume dead"). Grassley’s tweets take us along for a ride, one that's often riddled with spelling errors (which he has said is due to his distaste for typing and the iPhone’s auto-correct function).
Pres/Cong need 2work on Wash spending prob. No time 2waste b/4 Mar. Pres promised tax hike is done. Now he needs 2keep promise 4 less spend
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) January 4, 2013
Rained inIowa this weekend. Still 8 inches shortIowa still still listed dangerous drought pray For rain
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) December 17, 2012
Fred and I hit a deer on hiway 136 south of Dyersville. After I pulled fender rubbing on tire we continued to farm. Assume deer dead
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) October 26, 2012
Contrast Grassley’s tweets to another lawmaker known for his active and personal feed: Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker. On Twitter, he’s part mayor, part celebrity. Booker tweets about city services and was widely praised for how he utilized the platform in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy to connect directly with residents. But then he’ll retweet someone who says she’s going to get a Cory Booker quote tattoo or someone who has a “political crush” on him. Sometimes, Booker tweets like a Kardashian.
Think so, call 9737334311. My people will tell u RT @hennybottle: Is the number to get downed wires removed same for all of essex county?
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 8, 2013
"Hey, Never Met U, Your tweet's Crazy, I'll DM My Number, So Call Me Maybe?" MT @ann_ralston: I have a non-sexual, political crush on you!
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 8, 2013
Wow. An honor I never quite imagined RT @rachelanncohen: deliberating between several Cory Booker quotes for my next tattoo.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 8, 2013
I love you too! RT @alwoldegorgeous: I can actually say I am in love with @kimkardashian #girlcrush
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) December 12, 2012
Obviously, Booker is savvier with Twitter than Grassley, and he's utilized the platform effectively, as he vies for statewide office. Booker's a PR genius with social media. Grassley's himself--typos, rants, and all. So while Booker probably doesn't need to take Twitter lessons from the six-term senator, there's something decidedly old school and earnest that's kind of appealing about Grassley's feed, something that would be nice to see in Booker's feed, too.
Welcome to Twitter Pope Benedict. U will find it useful and interesting
— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) December 3, 2012
CORRECTION: Grassley has served in the Senate for six terms. An earlier version of the story incorrectly listed his tenure.
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