Howard Dean, General Stanley McChrystal, and Lanhee Chen join startup to enhance political communication, launch new app Fireside

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Driven to redress hyper-partisanship and dysfunction in American politics, Former Democratic National Committee Chairman and 2004 U.S. Presidential Candidate Howard Dean, Retired Four-Star General Stanley McChrystal, and top Romney adviser and Hoover Institution Fellow Dr. Lanhee Chen are working together as members of Public Lobby, Inc.'s Board of Advisers. They are striving to harness the potential of technology to connect the American people with their leaders. Through its new smartphone app Fireside, Public Lobby, Inc. provides a platform that allows Americans to submit video questions directly to civic leaders.

Daniel Khalessi, Public Lobby Co-Founder and CEO, says:
"It's time to have a nonpartisan political communication platform of the people, by the people, and for the people. That's the spirit behind Fireside."

Dr. Lanhee Chen says: 
"More than ever, citizens want to have direct interaction with candidates and public officials. This technology allows people to see and hear directly from their public officials, while creating both greater accountability and a considerably closer tie between the governed and their government. I'm excited to be part of an effort like this, which transcends partisanship and leverages the latest in technology to improve democratic governance."

Governor Howard Dean says:
"The Internet is an organizing and fundraising tool, but emails are dying. The open rate is tiny. People do not open them anymore. Personal connection with Fireside is the next best thing to personal connection at the door. I think this technology that we are experimenting with right now will be the future of running a successful Internet campaign."

General Stanley McChrystal says:
"Effective democracy depends upon thoughtful participation, and flounders when forces of partisan hyperbole or misinformation corrupt the process by which citizens are informed on the issues. Modern information systems offer unprecedented tools to strengthen governance, but only if we use them responsibly. Fireside offers a way to do that."

By downloading Fireside on the App Store, you can reserve a spot on the waiting list to have full access in the coming weeks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fireside-chat-societys-leaders/id1144194447?mt=8

Contact:
Press and Communications
Public Lobby, Inc.
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://fireside.us
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firesideapp/

SOURCE Public Lobby, Inc.

Related Links

http://fireside.us