Facebook teams with CNN for 2012 presidential election coverage

Not to be outdone by Twitter, Facebook has partnered with CNN to create a digital home where the politically curious can follow the buzz surrounding the candidates in the 2012 presidential election.

“Election Insights,” as the destination site is called, visualizes the volume of Facebook activity involving Democratic candidates President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and his veep choice, Paul Ryan.

Visitors can find a line graph showing the volume of activity, color-coded for each candidate, spanning various time periods, and can segment data by state, gender, and age group.

CNN will use the tool in its presidential election coverage, Facebook said.

Twitter, as you may recall, is also attempting to measure the mood of the nation in the run-up to election day. In early August, the information network, which has called this year’s election the “Twitter election,” released a political index that pivots on Twitter data.

Both Twitter and Facebook have a continued interest in being seen as the primary source of public discourse; this isn’t the first time we’ve seen the companies’ put forth overlapping strategies around major events. Most recently, the companies attempted to establish their respective networks as the home of Olympic Games athletes, conversations, and pictures.

Ballot box image via Shutterstock