Can Romney close the digital divide?

Mitt Romney’s 120-member digital team has a seat in “the Gov’s” inner circle to push targeted ads on Facebook, Google and Twitter, to build mobile apps and to accept text-based donations, but even GOP operatives say they haven’t closed the digital divide with Barack Obama’s tech machine.

The Obama campaign has spent $47 million on online ads so far, compared to Romney's $4.7 million, according to election filings. The president’s mobile app lets volunteers get lists of homes in their neighborhood that need lawn signs and banners, while Romney’s provides press releases and upcoming events. The Obama camp consistently scores digital “firsts,” such as geotargeting direct messages via Twitter this week. Within minutes of Obama's "horses and bayonets" zinger at the last debate, the campaign had posted video of it on YouTube. Thus, as a tight race winds down and questions remain as to just how decisive a digital campaign is in the end, Romney’s tech operation nonetheless is charged with helping turn momentum into votes. It’s long been assumed that the digital advantage goes to the Obama campaign, which has spent more money, hired more tech staff and developed an in-house voter database that’s rumored to be a game-changer in politics. Still, Romney’s staff contends they have the right stuff.