The use of the Internet in political campaigns has increased substantially in recent years, and some candidates are introducing site elements that appeal especially to a younger, more technologically-driven generation.
A Web site might not necessarily win votes, but a lack of online presence could lose some, said Jerry Miller, an associate professor in the School of Communication Studies.
Candidates often have no time or means to communicate with every voter with tactics like mailing out leaflets, but using the Internet, a candidate can contact his constituency in an immediate, accessible way, Miller said. This is especially true on the federal and state levels, where the constituencies are large and there are greater numbers of issues, he said.
In last year's gubernatorial race, each of the winning candidates for statewide office in Ohio had Web sites.
Ohio University senior Megan Shafer said she almost assumes candidates have Web sites now, especially at the national level.
I can't imagine a candidate not having one
she said.
Presidential hopefuls for 2008 already are showing signs of integrating multimedia components that appeal to a younger, technologically-savvy audience.
New York Sen. Hillary Clinton announced her intent to run for the democratic presidential nomination on her Web site in January. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who announced his campaign intentions shortly after Clinton, has a segment of his site ' My.BarackObama.com ' set up with features that resemble online spaces many college students are familiar with.
It's like Facebook or MySpace said Shafer, a registered member of the site. You can set up your own profile friend-request other members and see what local events are going on based on your zip code.
Former vice presidential candidate John Edwards' site integrates multimedia elements like real-time chats and his podcast. Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona has a site that allows visitors to read about McCain and his views, participate in the campaign and even join the senator's online community, McCainSpace.
Conversational Web sites help the demographic of 18- to 30-year-olds relate to candidates, said Robert Dorans, president of the OU College Democrats.
Young people are increasingly starting to look up information and decide for themselves, rather than following their parents' political identities, said Jessica Beaber, a junior journalism major.
Beaber said she watches presidential debates on television and The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, which she thinks are often more accurate than the real news, but the Internet is her main source of information.
Beaber, a self-proclaimed issue voter
said she follows specific topics during elections and the Internet is a useful tool for that
she said. Especially since I don't have a lot of time to follow politics.
Some voters also use Web sites to sift out bad information presented by the media. I actually don't trust much of what's shown on television
said Lindsay Blackstone, an intern with Campus Crusade for Christ at OU.
Blackstone said she gets frustrated when the news bashes people and appreciates when a candidate puts effort into creating a self-promoting Web site instead of wasting time bashing an opponent. We're voting for the character
too
she said.
Still, some say Web sites can't replace old-fashioned campaigning.
Sites are good resources for those seeking out information, but they won't sway undecided voters, said Jordan Carr, president of the College Republican Club.
They're not for the casual voter because someone has to make the time to visit a site, added Shafer.
Athens City Councilwoman Debbie Phillips, who unsuccessfully ran for state representative in November, said she created her Web site to provide her stance on the issues, as well as her background and contact information.
Her opponent, state Rep. Jimmy Stewart, R-Athens, did not have a campaign Web site. Instead of using the Internet, Stewart opted for radio and television appearances and advertisements, mailings and door-to-door campaigning.
I'm not opposed to having a Web site
I just never gave it a great deal of thought. I prefer to focus on personal contact
Stewart said. The most important thing for a candidate for any office is to get out in the district and get to know their constituency.
