Can a politician who claims to "have never sent an email" be considered a serious politician in the internet-connected world we live in?

It means that the senators are smart, not out of touch. All their communications is either by letter or by phone. It’s too easy in email to write something you regret.

They are no more out of touch than they would be thinking the world is less than 10,000 years old, or thinking that the world is colder than it was two years ago because it was snowy all winter in DC.

I honestly don’t think it’s something for an elected official in the 21st century to brag about.

It seems ridiculous to me although we know they’re very good at letter writing!

I kinda think that all politicians are inherently unqualified for the position.

I think you are being a little too harsh.

Listen, you have a holocaust global warming denier in charge of the environment and public works committee. Not having used email is tame by comparison.

I can thoroughly understand this. The internet is porous and privacy is never to be expected. If I was seriously concerned about the security of my communications, I’d never get near the net; nor an unsecured telephone if I could help it. I’d rely on the mail and faxes for those communications which require documentation, but mostly I would rely on face-to-face meetings to get things started, then delegate the rest to my young, very sharp, very ambitious staff —which I am sure is what these guys do.

Out of touch seems like a apt description.

*an apt description

Outside of their greedy ambitions, who is a serious politician?

Considering the fact that the same politicians write laws like FISA, why would you expect them to get caught in the webs they weave?
Based on recent security breaches, it’s only a matter of time that a file gets released with all of our emails, text messages, etc.
I’m sure some of these politicians realize this.

I think this is another example of the media trying to skew reality in a direction that fits their agenda. Plus, they are only telling part of the story. Whether the senators themselves have ever sent e-mails is not entirely relevant here. Thing is, they all have staff members located in Washington and in offices scattered throughout their districts (for Members of the House of Representatives) or their states (for US Senators.) Thus, it would be far easier for them to delegate incoming and outgoing e-mail management to a member of their staff to handle.

Now, on the other hand, if a Senator (or other politician) who didn’t personally send e-mails also ordered his staff not to either, then you would have a real story. And yes, that Senator would be seriously out of touch.

I’d imagine they have offices and administrative staff to respond to emails that might be sent by their constituents. I can understand and agree with @osoraro and @zenvelo‘s point. I would have concerns if these politicians are making decisions about legislation relating to online communication mechanisms without any real understanding of them. For instance, there are people who totally disparage Facebook and Twitter without ever having used either communication tool. And while there are certainly elements of both mechanisms that deserve criticism, they each have positive aspects for society and democracy. So, my concern would be are they fully cognizant of how email works and its benefits or ignorant and unwilling or unable to use it.

I think @sahID nailed it.

Vast difference between ‘never have sent’ and ‘never authorized’.

Let’s just look at the guy who started this, Lindsey Graham from South Carolina. He’s never sent an email, that’s fine. I can’t think of a single person I know that hasn’t sent an email, but let’s say he’s got people for that, or he’s handy on the phone, or however he gets by without the most efficient asynchronous communication method in history.

If we’re honest, doesn’t it seem unlikely he texts, or sends photos, or even understands how social media is used if he’s not using email? It didn’t sound like he’s just moved past email for something he likes better, he’s essentially decided communication technology beyond phone lines just isn’t for him. That could be fine in the same way we don’t care if our favorite authors write their stories on an old typewriter, whatever works for you my friend.

But he sponsors bills to decide what you’re allowed to do on the internet (the Restoration of America’s Wire Act is one) and is a member of the Senate Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law. There’s only 11 Senators on that committee and they would presumably be the group meant to be briefed and inform the others on those matters.

How can he be qualified to do either with a background like that? I’m not trying to be harsh, but how informed can someone who doesn’t use the internet as a communication method be regarding its uses for the majority of Americans? Do you want that guy advising others what’s appropriate regarding privacy and emerging technology? Would you hire an IT guy who had never sent an email?

That’s my problem with it. He’s behind 92% of Americans with Internet access in utilizing it, and he’s filling the role of an expert who has the ability to mold legislation and advise others.

Either don’t accept the role, or take it as an opportunity expand your knowledge. I think that’s what would be expected of most people.