Websites and political campaigns
There may be a difference of opinion as to who was the first to make effective use of the Internet for political campaigns, but in my opinion it was a two-way tie between Jesse (the Body) Ventura's run for Minnesota governor in November 1998 and Howard Dean's presidential bid in 2004. Regardless of who is named the cyber-political pioneer, it is clear that websites and Internet campaigns are reshaping political campaigns in national, state and local races.
Here in Humboldt County, there is a dizzying array of websites advocating for and against development of the Balloon Tract. A quick search of Humguide, the granddaddy of local web portals, shows 13 listings of various political groups and causes under POLITICS, and that doesn't county political parties.
I admit to being a political website junkie, having run for county supervisor in 2000 and using a campaign website to help spread the word. In fact, I still offer www.1stDistrict.com for lease to political campaigns since there are so many potential 1st District campaigns, especially on the North Coast (Ronnie Pelligrini, Jimmy Smith, Patty Berg and Mike Thompson are all in 1st Districts). We also used a campaign website in Rex Bohn's run for Eureka City Council in 2004, which I chaired.
I'm jumping back into the water with a new campaign website, www.MeasureTNO.org to defeat Measure T that would attempt to control local elections by shutting businesses out of political campaigns.
Once a novelty, political campaign websites are now expected by voters wanting to research issues/candidates or wanting to get involved. Only walking door-to-door or only using direct mail to engage voters is not very effective in today's information-intensive world. E-campaigning is a much better way to reach the electorate and a great way to spread the word.
The high degree of Internet use for political campaigns on the North Coast is as much an indicator of the sophistication of local voters as it is a statement about the intensity of our local politics. If you want to hear both sides of an issue, you shouldn't have to go very far to find the information you seek.
An informed voter is a responsible voter.
Chris Crawford
www.justiceserved.com
Comments
Hey Chris, What do you think would be the best way to get word out about how to stop the water and sewer hike in Fortuna?
Posted by: John Carenco | March 24, 2006 10:27 PM
To be fair, you should put the vote local control website link up here.Don't use this page to pass off your personal views.votelocalcontrol.org
Posted by: Mark Konkler | April 17, 2006 04:36 PM
You just did, Mark. Thanks.
Posted by: Chris Crawford | April 17, 2006 09:44 PM