New campaign force connects with voters
By Erica Hill
CNN Headline News
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If you're looking for information, chances are that you can find it online, and get used to it -- elections will only become more connected in the future.
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(CNN) -- It's official: The Internet is a fully integrated member of the 2004 election. Every major candidate has a Web site touting their stances on the issues, and many offer blogs (Web journals.)
How important is the Internet this time around? Very. "It's the virtual equivalent of knocking on doors and shaking hands," said Regina Lewis, online adviser for AOL, a unit of Time Warner Inc., which is also CNN's parent company.
Making that connection with voters is always important, and Lewis notes the Internet allows for a reverse connection, giving voters the chance to knock on a candidate's door.
"It is a more personal medium than a lot of people give it credit for," Lewis said. "Keep in mind, you are six inches from your computer. You are very focused. The candidates have one shot to make an impression."
Don't be fooled into thinking this Internet trend is one aimed only at younger voters. Lewis said people of all ages are logging on, and candidates know it.
"They are doing different things because they are very aware of the demographic," she said.
Many associate younger voters with former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's campaign, and portions of his site, such as "Blog for America," are a good fit for the under-30 crowd. But different sites appeal to different voters.
"A site like John Kerry's for instance is very well organized, very straight forward, and that could be paying off for him," Lewis said. "It is not as sexy, and it is not talked about as much, but it's awfully practical."
0f course, candidate sites aren't the only ones available to help voters. CNN's election site easily breaks down the issues and candidates so voters don't have to go from site to site.
AOL's Presidential Match quizzes people on the issues and then ranks candidates in order of how they measure up on certain beliefs.
Politics1.com claims to be one of the most popular political sites. Founded in 1997, Politics 1 bills itself as "a nonpartisan public service to promote fully informed decision-making by the American electorate."
The site offers information on the Bush administration, 2004 presidential race, upcoming state elections, the country's major parties, a calendar of events and a breakdown of hot-button issues.
The bottom line for voters: If you're looking for information, chances are that you can find it online, and get used to it -- elections will only become more connected in the future.
