Web Notes - Issue 5, Volume 2

DC Orbit Initiative & Referendum Institute Libertarian Web Site Political Insider Primary Diner	Fairfax County Republican Committee New Jersey Conservative Party
E-Voter 98 George Bush Exploratory Committee Elizabeth Dole Exploratory Committee Hillary Clinton for US Senate Rudy Giuliani for US Senate Bill Frist for US Senate	WIN A FREE DIRECTORY Steve Abrams & Company, Ltd Legi-slate Aristotle

DC Orbit - http://www.dcorbit.net A network of non-partisan web sites focusing on politics and public affairs. The concept is to bring together a limited number of Web Sites with a targeted political and public affairs agenda. Political Resources, Inc. is part of this consortium. The network sponsors Webcasts and other events of interest to the advocacy, corporate and political audience.

Initiative & Referendum Institute - http://www.iandrinstitute.org This is the Site for anyone interested in Initiatives & Referendums. The Institute is non-partisan and activist in promoting and expanding the initiative and referendum process in America. There is background, how to info, the status of current and past issues on the ballot, the legal hassles, a ballot watch, etc. They just completed a live Webcast of their May 7-8 conference, sponsored by DC Orbit. Transcripts and audio-visual presentations are still available on their Site.

Libertarian Web Site - http://www.libertarian.org and (http://www.freemarket.net) This is the place for Libertarians, bringing to together all aspects of the movement. Beginning with a comprehensive definition of Libertarianism, the Site includes historical information, the application to specific policy issues and a discussion of the modern libertarian movement. Its sister Web Site, FreeMarket.net has thousands of web sites, e-texts, articles, events and other libertarian resources.

The Political Insider - http://politicalinsider.com A newcomer to the political news service, this comprehensive Site includes daily political briefings, links to major newspapers and magazines, opinion polls, commentary, columnists, election 2000 analysis and news. Everything political. A lot of content. Worth visiting regularly. For a lighter moment, check out the jokes section and the links to other humor web sites. The site is produced by Teagan Goddard and Christopher Riback

Primary Diner - http://PrimaryDiner.com From Portsmouth NH comes a new Site on the Presidential primaries. You must join to access their information base. Membership is free. The "Daily Dish" (reports from the experts), the "Regular Joes", (a who’s who in the Presidential Primaries), "Soup De Jour", (issues and their daily impact), "The Booth" (grab a chair and chat) form the main "Menu". The format is attractive, clever and appealing. The editors claim that there will be original content, info from campaign insiders, as well as news and analysis on the issues, events and personalities.

Fairfax County Republican Committee - http://www.fairfaxco-gop.org Very well thought out site. Important announcements, a list of GOP candidates, voting and election information, the local executive committee, a link to the Virginia Online Legislature, a live News Ticker, and a local News Update newsletter. Of particular interest is the table of contents, which is a snapshot view, with links to the entire Site’s contents.

New Jersey Conservative Party - http://www.njconservativeparty.org NJ Conservative Party’s New site. There is an interesting story behind this site, according to Ron Gunzburger of Politics1. The webmaster took the original site’s URL with him when he left. It is now the New Jersey American Reform Party Site. Check out the American Reform Party at http://www.njconservativeparty.com The moral of the story - safeguard your URL.

E-Voter 98 - http://www.e-voter98.com The first case study measuring the impact of online advertising for a political candidate. Organized in cooperation with the New York Times Electronic Media Company and published in January 1999, the analysis examined the Gubernatorial campaign of Peter Vallone tounseat New York Governor George Pataki. The bottom line was that exposure to Vallone’s banner ads had a 14 point negative swing in Pataki’s favorable rating.

George Bush Exploratory Committee - http://www.georgewbush.com The Site is well organized with the standard photo ops, endorsements, etc. Two interesting features include the announcement of the Exploratory committee through a Webcast and a separate page to meet First Lady Laura Bush. The email response is cumbersome and there is no direct email listed. There was a flurry of speculation recently when it was discovered that the Committee had bought up many, but not all of the possible Bush running mate web site domaine names! (from Ron Gunzburger, Politics1).

Elizabeth Dole Exploratory Committee - http://www.edole2000.org The Site is well organized, with the standard background, request to volunteer, etc. The home page includes endorsements, awards, a gallup poll, major upcoming campaign events and how to subscribe to their newsletter. A nice feature is their voter interactive postcards and their "electronic bumperstickers" that you can add to your web site.

Hillary Clinton for US Senate - http://www.RunHillary.com
Rudy Giuliani for US Senate - http://www.RudyYes.com The saga continues. The Friends of Guiliani and their "No Hillary" site, has been followed up with the "Friends of Hillary Clinton" response, which, of course, has been followed up with another Friends of Guiliani. It is creating intriguing possibilities for candidates trying to get their message heard on the web. We await to see the next episode. Someone should analyze the impact on voters and the whole campaign process.

Bill Frist for US Senate - http://www.frist2000.com Very "laidback", casual and friendly (the advantage of being an incumbent). Easy to read and easy to follow - buttons click onto their fact sheet, photos, schedule, press releases and more.

WIN A FREE DIRECTORY - http://PoliticalResources.com Political Resources has a weekly contest, giving away one of the 1999 Political Resource Directories.(Value: $95.00). You have to enter the drawing to win! Recipients are posted each week.

Check out some of the products & services organizations with web sites in the Political Resources on-line directory. Many more listings with description on-line.

Steve Abrams & Company, Ltd - http://www.sabramsco.com Democratic Consultant, High Tech Voter Targeting & Contact.
Legi-slate - http://www.legislate.com - Experts in legislation and regulatory intelligence. Track the political process.
Aristotle - http://www.aristotle.org Information services. Software. Voter lists.

Political Web Notes