Friday, March 09, 2007
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Obama/McCain Lead GOP Internet Insiders Poll
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Posted by:
Matt Lewis at
10:45 AM
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Shira Toeplitz of National Journal's "On The Download" asked "24 of the best Republican Internet strategists what they thought of the Democratic and Republican Presidential candidates' Web sites."
According to "insiders," BarackObama.com is the best Democrat website and JohnMcCain.com is the best Republican site.
Of the 24 "insiders" polled, four were Townhall contributors: Chuck DeFeo, Patrick Ruffini, Patrick Hynes, and yours truly.
Do you agree with the poll results?
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...is the best GOP site right now, but it is still early. He has had a site up for months and as you know Matt, websites tend to gain steam and get better with time. Another thing to point out is that Rudy has yet to put up his official campaign site, and McCain's site is not that much better than Romney's.
A bigger question should be, how will a great site now help with all the primaries which are months away. I hope that this same survey will be taken in three and then again in six months. That will be the best indicator of who has a better e-campaign strategy. |
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Having all the bells-and-whistles doesn't mean you are using the technology to actually win an election ... |
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The McCain site is the best one but it is not very eye-catching. McCain needs more colors on the homepage and not just with the videos...
Mitt's site is more colorful but there is too much white space on it...
And Rudy's site needs a lot more action on it.
As for the Democrats, Barack Obama has the best one. One of the major differences between him and Hillary I see is that on his homepage, it says that the Barack campaign is about "you" and Hillary's site notes that you can join "Team Hillary".
The more a campaign website is about people joining a force and less about joining a candidate, the better it comes off to the viewer.
But we will see... |
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Obama's site looks too template-ish- And it should. Blue State Digital deploys the same tools for a number of liberal candidates and 527s. I don't like the faded white/red lines at the top of the page- But its less cluttered than the Bush/Cheney 04 site was.
McCain's site is too bland. The black/gray isn't impressive to me. But the site is very well organized. However, the mouseover flash-video buttons are just creepy.
And on all sites, how interested are supporters in creating their own sub-site on the candidate's site? And furthermore, who wants to read whatever some random smuck posts on the official campaign site? |
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Matt,
If there's a website with pretty pictures, but very few people are interested enough to visit it---does it still make a sound ?
It's probably not a promising gauge of your candidate John McCain's prospects for President, that his website earns more props than his candidacy does.
In a recent post, you were reduced to getting on bended knee, to ask Mitt Romney's Deputy Campaign Manager Peter Flaherty to "say something nice about John McCain" when interviewing him about Romney's campaign.
Hangin' out with lefty Dave Letterman, rather than conservatives at CPAC, is probably not the best strategy for endearing one's self to conservatives.
I would suggest John McCain come out of hiding and do the talk radio rounds---just as all the other GOP candidates are doing.
We all know why Hillary Clinton is dodging talk radio---she's afraid to answer straight, tough questions about her positions.
But Matt, is there a reason that your favored candidate McCain is dodging talk radio ? |
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Keep pushing anyone other than Romney and you might find yourself sidelined at TownHall. Best to buy Hugh's book just to be on the safe side. |
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I won't vote for McCain under ANY circumstances. Even if that results in President Hilary, at least I've got someone honest about shredding the Constitution. |
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I'm with you! As to McCain >>> No Way - No How!
I don't trust him now. Why should I trust him to hold the most powerful office on the planet? Several big red flags pop up in my mind with McCain:
1. How trustworthy is he to stick to conservative values/principles? He has a proven record of not only abandoning conservative issues, but forming alliances with the most radical liberals in the Senate. (Feingold, Kennedy, & don't forget the gang of 14 on court nominations) I believe he's more concerned about being adored by the liberal MSM than standing on conservative principles.
2. Serious questions have arisen as to his favored treatment as a POW, allowing himself to be used as a propaganda tool for the NVA, and his despicable treatment of other POW/MIA family members during senate hearings on the subject of missing Vietnam Vets and holding Vietnam accountable for their lack of cooperation on that issue.
My father was a German POW in WWII. He is now deceased. He was a good man and father. He taught me many great and lasting values as a young man growing up under his guidance & care. Although I loved and respected my father greatly, the fact of his being captured and held as a POW for over 2 years did not elevate him to 'Hero' status. He was a 'personal' hero to me, but that was due to the way he lived his life by example and the things he taught me in his role as my father.
3. He's shown an attitude of contempt for fundamental Christians in the past. In a way I'm glad he's not cozying up to conservatives and/or Christians. Some might have otherwise been gullible enough to fall for a campaign ploy like that and entered into an unwarranted trust. I believe McCain would, not only be unsympathetic to Christians and Christian values, I think he would be downright hostile to both.
4. Last listed here of my concerns but not the least by any stretch....I don't think he has the 'temperament' to be the president. He has a longstanding reputation for having a volatile temper. I'm not willing to trust a prickly, quick-tempered, hot-head to hold the power of the American presidency.
P.S. I just got a campaign letter from McCain wanting me to fill out a 'issues' questionnaire and donate to his campaign. I tore the top portion of the questionnaire, that had my name and address on it I wrote the words "No Way - No How" in large, bold permanent marker (and didn't bother to answer the questionnaire) on the top and stuffed everything back into his postage-paid return envelope, to mail back to him. I hope I'm not the only one that thinks of this to send Mr. McCain a clear message. ...and at his return postage expense! |
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In reason #2 above for my distrust of McCain. I stated that my father was a "German POW in WWII". I just wanted to clarify that my father was an American GI and was captured by the Germans. My wording above might not have made that clear. |
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...has ever won an election!
Why Not Draft Fred Thompson & build an awesome web site that can't be ignored!
Thompson was Born in Alabama and, for those who don't know (ZERO I'll wager) was a former Senator from TN (1994-2003). He is a staunch Conservative and, a man of INTEGRITY.
He got out of DC ahead of the wave of scandal & corruption that cost us 2006.
It has been written that his decision not to run for re-election was based on his personal ethics and, a belief that ALL of Washington had become tainted.
Once back to his acting career he became a high profile figure in the top rated "Law & Order" TV show where his character plays a man much like...Fred Thompson the Conservative, principled southern gentleman that he is.
The irony is that Mr. Thompson's 1st acting role was playing himself in a courtroom proceeding!!
His exposure on "Law & Order" can only be a plus. It gives him both name and face recognition with the moderates who will make the difference between winning and losing in '08.
I would even bet he could carry both of his home states, Alabama & Tennessee (and alot more southern states), unlike the last two dixiecrats neither of whom could carry even the states they represented.
Currently a Visiting Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute Fred Thompson studies national security and intelligence (China, North Korea, and Russia).
Could the timing be any better for someone with his background?
His biography includes;
Minority counsel, Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities (“Watergate Committee”) 1973-1974;
Special counsel to Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander 1980;
Special counsel, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations 1980-1981;
Special counsel, Senate Intelligence Committee 1982;
Member, Tennessee Appellate Court Nominating Commission 1985-1987;
Actor;
Elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in the November 8, 1994, special election to fill the unexpired portion of the term ending January 3, 1997, left vacant by the resignation of Albert Gore, Jr.;
Took the oath of office on December 2, 1994; reelected in 1996 for the term ending January 3, 2003; not a candidate for reelection in 2002;
Chair, Committee on Governmental Affairs (One Hundred Fifth and One Hundred Sixth Congresses; One Hundred Seventh Congress [January 20, 2001-June 6, 2001]); resumed acting career.
His "Law & Disorder" article on the AEI website regarding Spec. Prosecutor Fitzgerald is awesome. Likewise his take on the "Stomachless Senate" in relation to the Presidents troop surge in Iraq.
The more I read by & about him the more I hope he can be convinced to run. Even though I have to ask myself why would he?. As someone on another thread pointed out he is making "boatloads of money" on TV but that also works as a plus. IF he would run, it would surely be for all the right reasons!
Hunter or Tancredo for VP
(I prefer Hunter....Tancredo doesn't even seem to take himself or his run seriously enough)
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It still won't be the web site that wins the election. |
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I visited the website dedicated to drafting Fred Thompson to run for the presidency the other day. I was not in total agreement with all his voting record, but thanks for reminding me of how he would be far more preferable to a John McCain for the republican nominee. I have seen Fred in years past 'in live action' from TV coverage of some of the Senate committee hearings and was always very impressed with his sharp mind and steadfast adherence to conservative principles and values.
I could definitely cast my presidential vote for him, without hesitation. He's way better than any of the others currently out there on the republican side, IMHO.
I'd also like to see Newt join the presidential primary race. I know he has very high negatives (in the mind of the brain-washed masses) but he's probably the strongest proponent of conservative values in all of politics today. He was railroaded out of office on 75 trumped up charges which were all dismissed except one, and was acquitted on that one charge. He's probably the most intelligent orator for conservatism in all of politics. He's also a genius, when it comes to American history and the Constitution, as well as the intent of our founding forefathers in creating it. He may not be able to get win the nomination but he would sure be a positive force in shaping the conservative debate on conservative issue.
For those that have paid attention to his latest revelation of having an affair during the BC impeachment period and think that will be a major millstone around his neck....Don't be too sure of that. It may have been a well crafted decision on Newt's part, to bring that issue out in the open now...instead of waiting and letting the Dems drop a big bombshell latter on in an effort to destroy his credibility on other issues! |
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Other wags have written: a website is just that. Can you imagine any election decided by one? Of course not. In fact, Hil's website and streaming video has gotten compliments too. So Her Highness wins? The technical way to win elections is to get turnout. Period. If a website can help, fine. But, so far, it hasn't won one primary. And winning primaries is the point of all this technical expertize. The closer to Feb. 5, '08, we shall if websites have anything to do with bringing voters out to vote. Now one thing can be said about sites, they have a nice mechanism to draw out some contributions. |
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I think he also has 'IT'...
Because Law & Order is filmed in NYC I'll bet enough moderates that live there consider him 'one of their own' and quite a few moderates around the country will feel the same way because he is a TV celebrity. This leaves open the possibility of getting NY state in the Republican column come election eve & maybe a few more liberal bastions to boot..
Being a conservative southerner would give him an advantage on super Tuesday and thus the momentum to sweep the primaries. The southern vote would be a given in November if Mrs. Clinton is the Dem. opponent.
His foreign policy expertise is second to none and specializing in Russia, China & N.Korea is exactly what we need in a president for the foreseeable future.
Teamed with the right VP candidate, like Duncan Hunter (my personal favorite) would corner the vote on Americans wanting a secure border as well as a chance to take California in a general election. It would also give the Republican party a chance to keep the WH for 16 years as Hunter - just a Congressman at present- builds his own following.
The drawback right now is anything can happen and, rumors abound.. this can all go up in smoke if tomorrow, as one rumor has it he throws his support behind McKainnedy.
I hope his friendship with Sen. Openborders only goes so far because the good of the many far outweighs the good of the few right now.
I am having a hard time believing Thompson would sacrifice his personal ethics, his family and his country to a man seeking to destroy our heritage. |
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More important than having a technically good site is having a site worth visiting. Maybe McCain's website can explain why he hates free speech specifically and Republicans in general; then there might be something worth reading.
Did I mention today that I will never vote for McCain for anything?
Never.
Ever. |
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