Democratic campaign managers are all familiar with the NGP Voter Activation Network (VAN), which is a digital database of voter information to keep campaigns organized and to provide them with a massive database of contacts and voter information.  The VAN doesn't deal with non-Democrats seeking political data.  They are a partisan organization and don't try to hide it.  In fact, I tried this primary season to tap into the VAN on behalf a non-partisan candidate and they told me to pound sand.

In a 630-page deposition release by prosecutors on Wednesday, former Florida Republican Party chairman Jim Greer alleges GOP leaders were meeting to discuss tactics to suppress black votes in his state. Greer is currently in the middle of a civil case against the party concerning a dispute over his severance agreement.

Social media, if used correctly, can be an invaluable political tool, with the power to raise awareness, spread targeted messaging, and mobilize voters to rally behind a cause, an issue, or a candidate. Many candidates have discovered the beauty of Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Google+, creating and populating their profiles in ways that reflect their political ideologies. Politicians can use their Facebook as a channel of communication with their constituents. Political organizations can create events, spread awareness, and fundraise using platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Still undecided about who will get your vote this November? Most political quizes categorize you as either a Democrat or a Republican. But this new app highlights eight presidential platforms when analyzing your political views.

Mashable joined forces with Silverpop to present to us their latest infographic. The infographic presents a study and comparison of 5 email tactics used by Mitt Romney and Barack Obama:

Yesterday marked the 59^th Revolution Day in Cuba, a celebration of the uprising against the former Batista regime. During his speech at a celebration in Havana, President Raul Castro opened the door to no-limit talks with the US.

The Cuban President has made this offer clear to the State Department through diplomatic channels after he took power. One of the issues placed on the table would likely be lifting a 50-year trade and travel embargo with the island nation.

Business Spectator thinks so. After all, steep food prices were certainly a trigger for the Arab Spring. The US is the world's biggest exporter of corn, soybenas and wheat, so these prices shocks will reverberate across the planet.

Markets are bracing for a surge in global political unrest, as the worst US drought in half a century sent corn and soybean prices soaring to record highs overnight.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects food prices to rise by 3 or 4 percent in 2013 due to drought conditions being reported in most of the country. The department made the announcement Wednesday as it added 76 Midwestern counties to its growing list of Primary Natural Disaster Areas.

From John Robb comes the startling news that guns can now be made with 3D printers. "Havenblue" has printed several assault weapons and they fired fine. This rather clearly changes everything for insurgents, revolutionary groups, etc. Maybe it'll be like designer drugs, where the chemists stay ahead of the law by making drugs that aren't illegal yet.