Case Study: of the Virginia Conservative Action Pac’s (VCAP) Website

Please check out the VCAP website and give me your feedback on my case study. Thank you in advance for your comments.

An Effective VCAP Practice:

VCAP’s website does a great job providing information important to its members on issues such as conservative plights, ways to get involved and applicable current events.

Conservative plights – There is a lot of information on the website which is complemented by the e-newsletter (providing more detail specific information) referring to the “anti-tax movement” by Virginia conservatives. Most of these sections included supportive information on opposing the “decision by Gov. Mark Warner and the 2004 General Assembly to raise taxes by an estimated $1.5 billion per biennial budget… protecting the seventeen Republicans who broke ranks with the GOP majority in the House of Delegates to resist the tax hike… [and] battling the tax first, ask questions later crowd.” In addition to lower taxes, VCAP also focused on promoting “limited government and sanctity of life.”

Ways to get involved – VCAP does an excellent job following up with volunteers. I registered on their website as a member and received a follow-up email the next business day. The email included: a thank you, a reminder of the activity I signed up to do, contact information (name, title, email and phone number) and additional upcoming events they still need volunteers for. VCAP does a great job stressing the volunteer’s importance in the organization and how every little bit helps tremendously. Similarly, VCAP also offers two different links to their volunteer page off of their home page.

Current events – There is excellent synergy between the website and the weekly newsletter, which is most apparent in their coverage and reporting of important current events pertaining to the conservative agenda. A majority of this section is devoted to promoting their endorsed candidates. However, it also provides important legislation, mentions of VCAP (and its members) in the news and upcoming meetings or open forums. VCAP is very effectively keeping their members informed through the daily updated website and weekly e-newsletters, which in turn mobilizes their supporters and increases overall membership.

An Ineffective VCAP Practice:

Unfortunately, VCAP’s persistent anti-amalgamative language divides not only Republican and Democrat voters, legislators and issues, but it also further divides the Republican Party into two sides, conservative and liberal. In such an already partisan and politically divided environment as the current atmosphere in Washington and throughout the country, this language and rhetoric further cuts away at VCAP’s potential base support. Examples of this are listed below:

“The vast majority of moderates got reelected, yet it is very clear the conservatives control the Republican Party. A lot of moderates are going to wonder if they really belong in the Republican Party.”

“WMAL broadcaster Michael Graham has embraced VCAP’s efforts against RINO’s (Republicans in name only) and has given precious radio time to our efforts.”

“To take out a tax-raising incumbent and to win an open primary, all while being opposed by the GOP establishment shows what principles and grassroots will do.”