In India, Bo lookalikes and Obama-inspired online campaigns

U.S. President Barack Obama’s foreign policy moves and his economic stimulus plans have been closely watched, but so too has the latest member of his household. Yes, Bo, the new resident of the Obama White House is something of a hit in India where affluent pet owners have decided that his breed is the latest, must-flaunt status symbol.

So, pet stores suddenly have been inundated with requests for the curly-haired Portuguese Water Dog puppies. All signs are that monochromatic Bo-lookalikes could unseat Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua as the number one celebrity-inspired dog import into India.

There is also an unmistakable stamp of Obama influence on India’s general elections with younger, dynamic contenders in urban India preening themselves when favorably compared with the U.S. president. But no other political party has quite emulated Obama like the leading right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party.

Inspired by Obama’s successful Internet campaigning techniques, the BJP is using the Internet to woo that most-hardened slice of voters — the urban elite — complete with pop-up ads, blogs and even a campaign on Twitter.

http://www.globalpost.com/notebook/india/090429/india-bo-lookalikes-and-obama-inspired-online-campaigns