Twitter Unveils Political Tool

Twitter's "Twindex" scans and sorts messages and opinions about the two mainstream presidential candidates

We've seen it dozens of times before. The famous scene of a political candidate in a large room, balloons floating and banners strewn about, surrounded by supporters and family, anxiously watching the television as the election results come in.

This year's election might look a little different. The TV may be blaring results, but the presidential candidates' staffs may also be following the Twitter Political Index, a new feature that monitors political sentiment on Twitter.

Adam Sharp, head of government, news and social innovation at Twitter, said in a phone interview that the new Twitter Index, or Twindex, monitors hundreds of millions of Twitter messages searching for opinions and views about both 2012 presidential candidates.