Southern VA Bleeds Red-Thanks SODO!

I'm not gonna lie, when I was assigned to write an Internet plan for the Southern Donkey PAC , I rolled my eyes. But, after thinking about it a little bit, I realized this small PAC could do some amazing and creative work, especially online. So I went home and excitedly navigated through their website. Here are my thoughts, both good and bad:

The Good Stuff

• They have a website with graphics- a good starting off point
• Website is easy to navigate
• Secure online donation form
• Received an email receipt immediately after making a donation
• Open-ended "Nominate a Candidate" form
• Good volunteer form
• Clear, organized goals

The Bad Stuff

• I signed up for email updates over a month ago and have received NO CONTACT whatsoever, not even an acknowledgement that I signed up!
• The website has not been updated since April 1st, over 3 months ago!
• There is no list of PAC-endorsed local candidates
• There is no candidate information anywhere except for a list of state-wide candidates (the goal of the PAC is to elect local Dem candidates)
• There is no news listed in the "News" section
• I received no thank you email for donating to the PAC
• When donating, you are re-directed to an off-site private donation website and there is no way to get back to SODO's website from the donation website
• I have not received any donation solicitations since donating
• There are blank screens on the following sections of the website: news, "House Parties," Weekly Poll, "On the blog and in the news" section of homepage
• The blog has not been updated since early April and gives little to no information at all
• Once on the blog, there is no way to get back to the homepage
• There is no "action center" other than signing up to volunteer (if you do they won't contact you, trust me)
• I have not been contacted to volunteer
• I have received NO INFORMATION AT ALL!

The last comment posted on "SODO's" blog sums it all up,

Why should people contribute money if you can not even keep your website up to date?
Posted by: George April 1, 2005 05:39 PM

Amen, George! Side note: There has been no response posted to George's comment. I doubt SODO has even looked at the website since April.

I can't even tell if this PAC still exists. How effective do they expect to be when they aren't active in any sense of the word?

On the flip side, as a part of my opposition research, I signed up for and donated to a couple conservative PACs in VA. The VA Conservative Action PAC actually called me to make sure I didn't make a mistake by only donating $1. As odd as I found that call, at least they've contacted me, which is more than I can say for SODO PAC. As long as they keep up this kind of "activism," or lack thereof, it's safe to say southern VA will be bleeding red for a long time.