If not a highly-strategic way of looking at things, it's at least a way to know you've covered all your bases. Given the longstanding assumption of GOP-inferiority in the online world, perhaps an accumulation of platforms isn't a bad place to start for those with limited budgets or knowedge.
"Our goal is to put all of the info together in one place, to not only create a website. but create a web platform," said Alger.
Eric Odom, president of Internet Strategies, eActivism, and Community Development at the American Liberty Alliance, seems to think that more tools won't necessarily make for better politics.
“I think we understand the technology. We get social media and we understand the online realm. Where we miss the boat is on the collaboration side,” said Odom. “The Left collaborates and works as a unified effort while we compete against each other regardless of the shared end goal.”
Netboots may play into that competition, luring candidates away from more mainstream, pricier firms with their dirt-cheap access and ease of use. Several campaigns are trying it out, from Adam Kokesh for Congress to Pet Exemption, which advocates for tax deductions for pet care. Alger says the ultimate goal for Netboots goal is "to provide a web solution for as many conservative organizations, candidates, and grassroots activists as we can." Right now, they're 10 candidates close to meeting that goal. The site is in beta and an outreach campaign won’t launch until 2010. But after that happens, Alger is certain it will catch fire.
Whether or not that fire is a good thing or not is up for debate. All is concerned that the conservative movement may simply latch on to a fun tool without considering the ramifications. Candidates think they can have the world at their fingertips with a few clicks of the mouse, and that’s simply not accurate.
“People want home runs instead of just singles and doubles,” he said. “So we spend a lot of time in batting practice with them. Just training them up, thinking about it.”
Robert Bluey, director of online strategy at the Heritage Foundation, thinks there is probably room for improvement across the spectrum.
"The party in power is always going to be credited with success. For the past two election cycles, Democrats dominated at the ballot box, and because the Internet played an important role in raising money and organizing volunteers, they generally got all the credit. That doesn't mean conservatives are lost in the wilderness," he said.
You can find more information at http://www.netboots.net.