Interesting article about the use of the internet and politics. It seems a
challenger to the senatorial incumbant is concerned about the internet's
ability to "find dirt" on him, hence his desire to not answer questions
which would be placed on the Tribune web site. There still is much to
understand about the internet among some politicians. <g>.
Steve
The Chicago Tribune, November 1, 1998
Candidates may not love Internet, but they wont leave it
By Cornelia Grumman
Tribune Staff Writer
November 01, 1998
At the dawn of cyberspace, wishful thinkers imagined that the World
Wide Web would transform politics, bringing candidates messages
directly to voters and making it easier to solicit contributions and
involve the masses.
Theyre still wishing.
After several election cycles in which the Internet has been a
presence, campaign Web sites have become more common and more
elaborate but are viewed less as an essential campaign tool.
It is a component of the overall campaign, but a small component, said
John Torre, spokesman for Republican gubernatorial candidate George
Ryan. It serves a purpose. Some people visit it (Ryans site)
regularly; about 800 to 900 people have been asked to be added to the
e-mail list. But it doesnt replace traditional forms of communication,
like direct mail or going door to door.
To be sure, Web sites have their place.
It wasnt all that many years ago we were able to survive without them,
said Mike Briggs, spokesman for Democratic U.S. Sen. Carol
Moseley-Braun, who is running for re-election. But the senator is very
much interested in new ways to communicate with voters. Anything we
can do to lay out the senators good record . . . is valuable.
Two years ago, only the highest-level candidates had sites. Now almost
anyone running for an office above dog catcher stakes out a
cyber-presence, if only for image purposes.
To Democratic state comptroller candidate Dan Hynes, his age 30
offered another compelling reason to put up a Web site.
The site was one of the first things that we began in our office
because Dan is young, and part of our core constituency is really into
the Internet and computers, said Hynes campaign manager Gail
Handleman.
Web sites are noticeable these days only if theyre missing, according
to campaign officials.
In our office, where technology is important, somebody is going to
say, Well, look, they dont even have a Web site, said Gregg Durham,
spokesman for Judy Baar Topinka, the GOP treasurer running for
re-election. Right now its more symbolism than anything.
Most campaign sites carry biographical information about the
candidates, their stances on issues and fill-in forms allowing
visitors to put themselves on mailing lists, make a contribution or
volunteer their time on the campaign. One can download audio and
sometimes video clips of the candidate holding forth on issues or
check the schedule of campaign appearances.
But, according to many campaign officials, most sites have generated
few contributions or volunteers. More often, visitors are students
assigned to research a candidate, political junkies, or political
junkies working for rival candidates.
U.S. Senate candidate Peter Fitzgerald cited the latter reason -- that
no one goes to political sites except opponents in search of dirt --
in his refusal to allow his answers to the Chicago Tribunes editorial
board questionnaire to be posted on the newspapers Internet site.
A review of Illinois political Web sites during this election season
reveals that, in general, candidates are for education and against
crime. They are for better health care and improved transportation.
They tend to like babies and loathe taxes, according to photos and
news releases on their sites.
Some really like their pets. Take Topinka, who attempts to cut through
the monotony of showcasing the difference between treasurers and
comptrollers by featuring her 3-year-old Scottish terrier, Molly
McDoo, on her own link off the campaign site.
It is a campaign gimmick, but its a race where the real issues involve
very arcane matters of investment and banking, Durham said. When you
talk about it, it becomes human Sominex. So well do anything to
interest people.
Ryans site offers a Latest News section that, on one recent day, was
two weeks behind. Noticeably absent is any mention of the
license-selling scandal that has hit his office in recent weeks.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Glenn Poshards site carries
extensive treatises on crime, education, jobs, health care and the
environment, and even a section titled The George Ryan Record.
Moseley-Braun offers one of the most stylized sites, with tiny icons
providing a navigational guide.
Perhaps the most useful sites this election season, however, are those
created by non-profit organizations, some of which list extensive
campaign contribution data for major candidates.
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| Steve Zielinski (N8UJS) |
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