So just how social are social media newsrooms for top '08 presidential contenders?

I'm not talking politics here, just who's supplying the best social media newsrooms for reporters, bloggers and consumers to get the news they need based on this ex-reporter and current blogger's perspective.

My grades are based on a curve: We can't expect politicians to get social media as related to PR like we all do; frankly they've come along way.

First up is media master Hillary. There's a great look to her media section: Speeches and videos flank her releases, but the releases have no social function included. Also a big minus Mrs. Clinton, your releases have no social add-ons, and where is your contact info?!

Reporters seem to have to use a media inquiry form to request interviews/information. Big boo. On her newsroom subset, Hillary Hub, there finally appears a social button: an RSS chicklet at the page's bottom.

Grade: C

What about the Dem with the great hair? Edwards' releases have one social feature attached – an "email to a friend" function. He also offers podcasts, and several downloads for sig files and web badges including html code for insertion. Probably the wrong place to do so.

However his site offers an awesome 20 RSS feeds – to everything from new releases to feeds from his wife's diary. His news page also links prominently to his blog, which offers a fast and easy sign up form with no email registration. You can actually comment, in seconds, directly on his posts and join the conversation! Score John Edwards. Now quit throwing around footballs with Kerry in an awkward fashion, and you might have a chance here.

Edwards gives a special shoutout to bloggers: He invites “citizen journalists” to get advanced news and tips to help spread his message.

Finally, Edwards offers a host of social features linked from his newsroom including the following marked under “Social Networking”: 43Things, del.icio.us, essembly, facebook, flickr, gather, myspace, partybuilder, youtube, ning, metacafe, revver, yahoo! 360°, blip.tv, CHBN, vSocial, tagworld, collectivex, bebo, care2, hi5, xanga, and livejournal.

Grade: A-

What about the controversial Kucinich? He offers a flat site devoid of chances for social interaction. His contact info is buried at the bottom, and the phone number didn't work when I tried it.

Grade: D-

Barack Obama: You were so (kind of, but not really) cool when you danced with Ellen. Surely your site is hip and social. Nope – his newsroom is buried under the Learn section, and glaringly absent is the chance for press to interact with a real person – right now.

Grade: C-

So how do the Republicans fair?

America's mayor Rudy Giuliani puts forth a pretty weak news section, socially speaking. However Rudy sports one very impressive feature: The clear ability to call a real person. And I did, and was offered a second number for weekend/after-hours news needs. Nice job, but the number was a bit buried.

Grade: B – Would have been worse if it weren't for your prominent media contact number.

And the aging yet spunky John McCain? His clean, sharp site was not very social. He offered media a form to fill out when requesting interviews, and a media sign-up form with no RSS option. However, atop each press release were buttons for digg, deli.cio.us, and the ability to contact the press office with real, working number! It works, I tried it.

Grade: B

What about GOP insider Fred Thompson?

All of his releases, articles, commentaries and speeches had RSS feeds; and “Stay Connected” at his page's bottom linked to facebook, myspace, twitter, youtube, deli.cio.us, and flickr.

On his releases, features for mail, digg, delicious and facebook sat atop each release. Not bad for a man criticized as having no ability to articulate and communicate well. I'm feeling generous, so Fred, you get a:

Grade: B

And the socialist candidate: Surely a socialist would have a socially-oriented newsroom, no? Socialist candidate Brian Moore's site sucked especially hard: I've built better websites in FrontPage circa 1999. Wow you suck, online, Moore.

Grade: F

My social media newsroom winner: Edwards. An open blog means open communication, and that's putting him head and shoulders (no pun intended) above the presidential pack.