Open thread: Candidate sites

Submitted by James on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 10:08am

open thread

[View]

Which candidate sites do you like the best and why? I'm especially interested in Congressional, state and local races. As those running for office start to gear up for 2008, your ideas and preferences will certainly be of interest (and probably value) be of value to them. Thanks!

James's blog

You read my mind.

Submitted by Robert P. on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 10:14am.

I was walking to work this morning thinking I needed to do a State of the Candidate websites again.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

Good idea.

Submitted by James on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 10:16am.

I loved that last round-up you did . . . maybe this open thread will give you some fodder.

I'm really hoping we can give some collective insights and wisdom to candidates in the process of building their web strategies as we speak.

Do good. Be nice. Have fun.

Admittedly biased,

Submitted by Thomas Brock on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 10:27am.

But I think Marshall Adame's site is pretty good.

And it'll get better as we work out new ideas and add information (and hopefully some fun functionalities).

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/brocklog/

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/bloviations/

What have YOU done today to make the world a better place?

Marshalle's site is a good beginning

Submitted by Linda on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 1:48pm.

I like the top banner - it's beautiful. There's lots of information about Marshalle, and that's good.

I have a couple of suggestions though - if you're open to them. On my computer, the background of the site shows up dark grey. It's not very attractive at all, and looks, well, unfinished. The front page just says "Welcome". There is no information about Marshalle, and the arrows don't "click through" to anything. Again, that makes it seem unfinished.

I'm only saying this because I want it to be fantastic and for Marshalle to have every advantage. Surf to other candidate's sites - established office holders as well, and be sure that Marshalle's site is as finished and polished as theirs is.
_____________
The Den
My darling girl, when will you understand that 'normal' isn't necessarily a virtue. It rather denotes a lack of courage." - Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic

Please taske another look...some improvments

Submitted by Marshall Adame on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 7:45am.

We have worked out a few bugs.

Your recommendations are welcome

Marshall Adame

I like seeing the pictures!

Submitted by Linda on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 1:15pm.

And I apologize for spelling your name wrong. Sorry!

_____________
The Den
My darling girl, when will you understand that 'normal' isn't necessarily a virtue. It rather denotes a lack of courage." - Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic

in 2006

Submitted by phoenixdem on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 1:06pm.

Last cycle, Ty Harrell had the best one (http://www.votetyharrell.com/). Sadly, most state legislators have piss-poor web presence.

Mine have no real internet presence

Submitted by Thomas Brock on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 1:25pm.

and even less legislative presence.

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/brocklog/

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/bloviations/

What have YOU done today to make the world a better place?

Re: Marshall's site

Submitted by momoaizo on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 1:57pm.

It is a good beginning, my small suggestion, put up his picture.

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

Photos

Submitted by Thomas Brock on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 2:12pm.

There are photos on the front page...For some reason, they're not visible with FF. In IE7 they are, though.

I'm working with the page designer to fix that...

There will be some other functionality and more information there also.

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/brocklog/

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/bloviations/

What have YOU done today to make the world a better place?

Photos

Submitted by Thomas Brock on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 10:55pm.

The site should be more better for those of us that use FireFox's open sourced goodness...

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/brocklog/

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/bloviations/

What have YOU done today to make the world a better place?

it looks good

Submitted by Blue South on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 10:59pm.

in Safari at least.

I really like the way your mail in contribution form is set up. Its a good idea. (and im not saying why its a good idea. everyone go look and see why)

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

"Keep the Faith"

Completely OT.

Submitted by Robert P. on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 2:03pm.

This did say open thread, so what's your guess?

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

My guess?

Submitted by James on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 2:09pm.

You're weird.

Do good. Be nice. Have fun.

Ha!

Submitted by Robert P. on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 2:21pm.

That comment and $1.75 will get you a cup of this.

One man with courage makes a majority.
- Andrew Jackson

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

Great photo

Submitted by Thomas Brock on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 2:22pm.

I wish I had 1/8 of the photographer's skill...

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/brocklog/

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/bloviations/

What have YOU done today to make the world a better place?

Looks like a raw egg.

Submitted by Lovex7 on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 5:14pm.

n/t

Lovex7

I was going to say that to Love,

Submitted by momoaizo on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 5:45pm.

'til Robert said that $1.75 would buy it.

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

thats

Submitted by Blue South on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 7:48pm.

a big giant drop of cream in some coffee. robert gave too good a hint

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

"Keep the Faith"

Web Site Options

Submitted by Ed Ridpath on Thu, 05/03/2007 - 11:02pm.

I've stood up a number of candidate and party websites. I've used 2 methods:

The first is simple static web pages - simple to setup, but tend to bottleneck at the web guy/gal who has Frontpage or other tool to maintain site. This usually means they get dusty or there is lots of panic closer to the election when content needs to be more dynamic.

The second and my personal favorite is using a Content Management System (CMS) - I use Drupal. Although the initial setup is somewhat complex, once the investment is made, the site can be turned over to 1 or more campaign volunteers to maintain the content. Snazzy or custom "look & feel" requires theming and artistic skill I myself am not blessed with (see www.EdRidpath.com ).

I will point out that the Wake County Democratic Party web site ( www.WakeDems.org ) ran for over a year without any technical support (that was me) during the 2006 election cycle (I was a little busy). Even I was surprised at how robust it was, even in the heat of electoral battle.

There are also a multitude of plug-in modules, many of them very useful to a campaign - mass mailing, volunteer forms and databases, blogs and forums, RSS feeds, etc. And these add-on can be turned on or off as needed.

I know this might not be in the spirit of a web site beauty contest, but I'll take function over form anyday.

---
Ed Ridpath
www.EdRidpath.com

BlueNC <3 Drupal

Submitted by Lance on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 7:50am.

Edwards

Submitted by Blue South on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 7:05am.

wants the debates available online.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

"Keep the Faith"

Please hold off on judging my site

Submitted by Grier Martin on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 7:48am.

for a few more days!!! I've got a fine site, but it has been stagnant way too long. I'll be rolling out v2.0 in a few days.

Grier
www.griermartin.com

______________________
Grier Martin
www.griermartin.com

No slack for you buddy

Submitted by Obidiah on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 8:37am.

V2.0, eh? So does that mean you are adding the word "Senate" or the word "Congress" to the site?

pretty pretty please

Submitted by Blue South on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 10:23am.

with a cherry on top

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

"Keep the Faith"

OK, maybe I should call it v1.5 . . . .

Submitted by Grier Martin on Sat, 05/05/2007 - 6:56am.

n/t

______________________
Grier Martin
www.griermartin.com

You should have more info and a public calendar

Submitted by Oliver Queen on Sat, 05/05/2007 - 7:23am.

like this site ;-)

I always wanted to be the avenging cowboy hero—that lone voice in the wilderness, fighting corruption and evil wherever I found it, and standing for freedom, truth and justice. - Bill Hicks

Took another look at Marshall's website

Submitted by momoaizo on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 9:31am.

can now see the pics in Firefox. imho, it is a great site!

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

Is there a secret meeting of BlueNCer's somewhere?

Submitted by momoaizo on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 9:33am.

Where is everyone?

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

Hope not, Momo

Submitted by Thomas Brock on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 9:47am.

'Cuz I wasn't invited either!

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/brocklog/

Thomas S. Brock
www.brocknet.net
http://blogs.brocknet.net/bloviations/

What have YOU done today to make the world a better place?

It's a great day for being inside and on the puter

Submitted by momoaizo on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 9:54am.

rainy down here, and kinda chilly. How is it down east Thom?

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

Mo, SD, etc., Going to DC next week.

Submitted by Lovex7 on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 10:03am.

Want me to bring you anything back. No, I can't bring back Robin Hayes and Liddy Dole. Anything else?

Lovex7

I know why you're going

Submitted by Betsy Muse on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 10:06am.

and I am so jealous. Just have fun and take pictures. Bring us back lots of stories.

Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.

***************************
Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.

Elizabeth Edwards

Submitted by Lovex7 on Fri, 05/04/2007 - 2:19pm.

won't be there :-(. She went last month instead. It should be fun anyway. All the Miller siblings and spouses will be there, so it certainly won't be quiet. Oh yeah. I don't have a spouse.

Lovex7