Study finds Republicans have higher digital IQ than Democrats

There are seven geniuses in the Senate, and conservative Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., has almost as much "digital velocity" as Lady Gaga, says a new study by business professors at The George Washington University and New York University.

The unique analysis by Doug Guthrie, dean of the GW School of Business, and Scott Galloway, a marketing professor at NYU's Stern School of Business, assessed the digital IQ of all 100 senators, and found that Republicans are savvier on social networks like Twitter and Facebook than their Democratic colleagues.

The study found that seven out of 100 senators were rated as "genius," the highest level of digital competence. Four of the seven were Republicans, who overall had an average digital IQ that was 5.5 points higher than the average for Democrats. DeMint, with many fans among the tea party movement, "has the greatest digital velocity (acquiring likes and followers) of any senator," the professors said.

Not too surprisingly, senators who are up for re-election this fall are reaching out the most on social media platforms in an effort to boost their Web profiles. "It appears that U.S. senators are making their comprehension of the social media realm a priority and are using it as a way to engage prospective voters and mobilize grassroots efforts," Guthrie said.

"As a forward-looking indicator, social media following may be a crystal ball for what will happen in the voting booth this November, and it's looking very red," Galloway said.