Local Party Control of Websites

The Man with the Plan?

In class a few weeks ago, Justin mentioned that it would be much better for both parties if they hosted all of the web technology in order to allow candidates to set up websites. A feature article on Howard Dean in the Washington Post Magazine describes why this might be useful.

The author called the Democratic Party "woefully inadequate" in some aspects of party infrastructure.

This episode in Oklahoma emphasized the author's point:

Example: Go to a Web site for Republicans in Oklahoma, Tulsagop.org. A crisp page appears, with a slide show that covers each issue of the day, from judicial nominees to stem cells. There are links to local GOP clubs, sharp color photos and an invitation to "participatory leadership training."

Go to Tulsademocrats.org, and you find an unpolished red-and-blue site with a handful of tabs. One of them says "Photos." Sounds promising. Click on it, and three words pop up.

"Flag Day 2003."

Dean was the internet candidate. And this article makes it sound like he's committed to giving parties the tools to succeed in the states, but I doubt if he will ever usurp local control of web operations.

I see three major problems, all of which are similarly related, with national parties running state and local candidate web sites.

1) National Interlopers. It might be unavoidable to have the national party exerting influence over the local party operations. Imagine getting a call from a person in NYC as to why you haven't updated your webpage in 3 weeks? Why should some Washington person tell a party chairperson how to run the web page for their local party?

2) Liability issues. If parties offered web space to individuals, who is ultimately liable for the content? I would argue that it would be the host. Why would the national parties want to open themselves up for potential slander / libel lawsuits from negative mudslinging on campaign web sites?

3) Unwillingness to be associated with the national party. Most times, people pride themselves on being a Rockefeller Republican in New York or a South Carolina Democrat to avoid the negative stereotypes of national parties. Running candidate X on the national Republican or Democrat webspace might Candidate X politically.

Local control seems like the best place for candidate and party websites. However, the national parties can do many things to help speed internet use in the state and local level. If the nationals give the local parties the technology to compete, I think they will be surprised by the results. With computers, programs, and training, state and local parties will be equipped to embrace new technologies that can make or break an election in their own communities.