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Mobile tactics could be key to 2012 election

Analysts say candidates must improve their mobile tech plans to communicate with younger voters

Given the explosive growth in smartphone and tablet use over the past four years, campaign strategies for using mobile technologies could prove critical in the 2012 presidential election.

So far, analysts say, the candidates in both the Democratic and Republican parties are mostly focused on social networking and connecting to the electorate via desktop computers, apparently eschewing a stronger mobile focus until later on in the campaign.

If the candidates aren't yet working hard on developing mobile campaign strategies, they'd better start soon, analysts say, as the 2012 election season begins in earnest this month with the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.