*** Democracies Online Newswire - http://www.e-democracy.org/do *** Also see http://netelection.org 's amazing features grid for Political Portals <http://netelection.org/features/portals/> and Presidential campaign sites <http://netelection.org/features/> - SLC. Commentary: http://netelection.org/commentary/2000023.php3 Full list of Congressional Candidates Without Web Sites: http://netelection.org/dot-not/ From: http://netelection.org/pressoffice/release07312000.php3 Press Release Embargoed for release until August 1, 2000 12 noon Contact: Steven M. Schneider Editor, NetElection.org 215.327.6430 Dot-Not Candidates 46% Running for Congress Lack Web Sites Incumbents, Candidates in Noncompetitive Races Top List Philadelphia, PA - 46% of congressional candidates do not have web sites promoting their candidacies, according to a new study released today by NetElection.org. Incumbents and candidates in noncompetitive races top the "dot-not" list, now available at netelection.org/dot- not. These findings stand in stark contrast to the hype surrounding the Republican National Convention’s "dot-com delegates," and the Democrat’s "e-Convention." While both parties are trying to position themselves as Internet savvy, many of their candidates have not yet added the Web to their campaign strategies. The distinctive characteristics of the web -- including its potential for comparative content, high levels of user control and interactivity, and relatively low cost -- offer unique opportunities to inform and engage those interested in the electoral process. All candidates -- including incumbents in safe districts -- ought to be encouraged to create web sites outlining their positions on the issues, identifying their campaign contributors, replicating their television and radio advertisements, and engaging in dialogue with their constituents. We cast a critical eye towards candidates who seek voter support without providing this resource to citizens and journalists. NetElection.org is part of the Energizing the Electronic Electorate project at the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. We aspire to raise the bar for candidate and campaign web sites, to preserve, protect and energize a public space on the Internet free from commercial domination and soundbite economics. Our efforts target candidates, campaign professionals, journalists and citizens. For additional details on this study, as well as other work produced by NetElection.org scholars and associates, visit NetElection.org. Candidates with web Candidates without web sites sites Senate House Total Senate House Total Percent 80% 51% 54% 20% 49% 46% (Number) (96) (602) (698) (24) (573) (597) Incumbents 81% 45% 48% 19% 55% 52% Challengers 80% 54% 57% 20% 46% 43% Competitive 83% 76% 78% 17% 24% 22% Noncompetitive 75% 48% 50% 25% 52% 50% Democrats 74% 53% 55% 26% 47% 45% Republicans 90% 63% 66% 10% 37% 34% Third Party 76% 29% 33% 24% 72% 67% # # # # # # Copyright © 2000 Annenberg Public Policy Center netelection.org is a joint project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, The Center for Governmental Studies, and The Center for Public Integrity. It is funded by a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts. ^ ^ ^ ^ Steven L. Clift - W: http://www.publicus.net Minneapolis - - - E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Minnesota - - - - - T: +1.612.822.8667 USA - - - - - - - ICQ: 13789183 *** Please send submissions to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** *** To subscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** *** Message body: SUB DO-WIRE *** *** To unsubscribe instead, write: UNSUB DO-WIRE *** *** Please forward this post to others and encourage *** *** them to subscribe to the free DO-WIRE service. ***
