Reference

During President Obama's administration, one of the key initiatives to handle the public's ideas and suggestions submitted online was through various platforms designed to increase openness and public participation.

1. We the People Platform: This was a flagship initiative which allowed citizens to create and sign petitions online. If a petition reached a certain threshold of signatures, it was reviewed and a response was provided by the administration. This was part of the broader effort to engage with citizens directly and transparently.

2. Open Government Initiative: Launched early in his presidency, this initiative aimed at making the federal government more transparent and participatory. It involved the creation of various online tools where citizens could submit ideas and suggestions. For instance, government data was made open and machine-readable by default, encouraging the public to utilize this information for innovation and feedback (source).

3. Digital Transition Efforts: The Obama administration emphasized the use of social media and digital tools for public engagement. For example, Obama was the first president to have a Twitter account (@POTUS) and used platforms like Facebook Live to communicate directly with citizens (source).

4. Engagement through Direct Answers: At times, President Obama and his administration would directly answer questions from the public online, showcasing a willingness to listen and respond to public concerns and ideas. This method was employed to provide a more direct line of communication between the administration and the public (source).

These efforts were aimed at creating an open dialogue between the government and its citizens, leveraging technology to foster a more inclusive and participatory democracy.