While there is no doubt that the internet is one of the most effective ways to promote a political campaign, some of our local candidates just have not got a website up yet. It is obvious that most of the Fitchburg residents now have regular internet access, from home, work, libraries or internet cafés. Websites and blogs have become big crowd-pullers, and candidates without a website are the odd ones out. It’s a good thing eight of our local candidates have discovered the internet to be an indispensable means of reaching out to their constituents. They should know that having their websites accessible to the voting public 24/7 is making the voters, especially the younger generation, feel more involved in local politics.
But although political websites are an extension of campaign, not all of them are created equal. Some websites focus on fewer issues and politicians publish their materials selectively in self-serving ways. They don’t create a two-way conversation with voters nor do they offer any opportunity for them to be able to turn the dialogue into action. At the very least, here in Fitchburg, the local media provides a blog or two. I, myself, am moderating the Fitchburg’s Voice. Blogs such as these actually supplement interactive features which other political websites lack. But the activity of Fitchburg’s Voice in particular still remains to be seen. I only envision that people in Fitchburg will eventually participate in Fitchburg’s Voice before local politics is getting hot. On the other hand, I can definitely assure that Fitchburg’s Voice will continue to exist even after the elections are over.
Speaking about websites, I really want to share my ideas based not on any political agenda but on my personal experience as a website designer. Just so you know me, I enjoy building websites and I am very passionate about it. Perhaps it would be smart for our local politicians to take advantage of my point of view.
So, what’s my point anyway?
First, I am aware that among traditional politicians, putting up a website is one of the least activities they would consider as an effective strategy for political campaign. That is true, by the way, in the past. Modern technology has changed politics and candidates should use the internet to promote themselves. But then, like I’ve said, and I’ll say it again: websites ain’t created equal. That means: having a traditional website isn’t as effective as having an interactive one.
This is my definition of a traditional website. Its content is mostly biographical and self-serving in nature. It doesn’t contain pages that will allow the voters to interact with the candidate (except maybe to volunteer or to contribute). It simply gives you information without any sign of interactivity. Because the content doesn’t get updated more often, people don’t go back to visit the site again.
As you can see from my definition, I didn’t mention anything about whether its color-motif is appropriate or whether the website incorporates flash, dreamweaver or video player. Those features are definitely plus-factors but they are only skin-deep. Not all internet users notice them, most especially if the only reason they visit the site is for them to get to know the candidate. But they do appreciate surfing a website which actually works for them.
Frankly speaking, I would love to see more campaign websites that are interactive. Websites that don’t emphasize on issues and biography but rather give the voters opportunities to engage discussions with the candidate.
Blogs and forums are now mainstream. They promote real conversation and are a great way to create and grow a politician’s base. Unlike appearing on a television interview where physical appearance matters most, politicians need to live up to higher standards when they are active online. This is because they can only succeed in using the internet to attract voters if they are genuine and “authentic”.
But real blogging requires strength in character, hard work and time. Aside from having to write a new entry every now and then, the candidate must have the equanimity to accept some measure of unpredictability and the courage to relinquish message control. Otherwise, if you don’t irritate the “bad guys”, your readership doesn’t grow.
I am not totally saying that blogs should cater to pure negativism nor allow the candidates to be ganged up by the public. They should, however and ideally, provide a climate for healthy political debate that promotes education to the public and not stirs people up to hatred. Blogs should be able to provide balance yet gather a consensus of opinion without any sort of aggressive confrontation. And like I’ve said again, this would require a politician’s strength in character.
Lastly, campaign websites should not overlook the most fundamental grassroots activity of all which is the ability to assist a voter’s registration. As of this time of writing, most of our local campaign websites don’t offer tools or information about how to register at all. So, I can’t wait to someday see a “Register to Vote” page added to campaign websites that don’t have one yet.
Here are the links to our local candidates’ existing websites:
- Bruce W. Marien
- Dann H. Mylott
- Dean A. Tran
- Jesus “Jay” M. Cruz
- Lisa Wong
- Sally Cragin
- Shaun Cormier
- Ted E. DeSalvatore