Websites for the Undecideds: Rating the Republicans
By Zephyr Teachout, 01/07/2008 - 12:58pm

I've just spent a few days in New Hampshire, and talked to several of those seriously undecided voters. "Maybe McCain, maybe Richardson, I'm not sure..."

Pew will confirm or deny this in a few months, but my bet is that this year, between half and a quarter of those undecided voters are turning to the web for some information before they make their decision. They will type in "John McCain", go to his website, and see what they can learn.

I took a look at each of the top Republican websites to see what I would find. Here's how they come out--almost the reverse of how much money they have probably spent on their sites:

D Mitt Romney

All the big flashy signs are shifting, they are confusing if I'm trying to learn about him ("McCain equates Bush with Clinton"....that took me a while to even figure out who he was slamming..."Governor Romney on the Iowa Caucuses"...why do I care?...and do all of these require me to watch video? I'm 69, my connection is slow, and I just want some facts..) On the right, in equally bold colors, is TEAM MITT, but I'm just trying to learn! Oh, up there, in the upper left, is a quiet little button, Learn About Mitt. I click it, and get a sort of awkward picture of him and his wife at an inaugural ball, and a few quotes from him. I'm leaving this site knowing nothing more.

Mitt has more information--were I clever enough to realize that the Learn about Mitt page is just the entrance page to more information about him, but I doubt I would figure that out. Basically, he seems nice, handsome, and angry at John McCain, but that's about all.

D Rudy Giuliani

The entire website assumes I want to help him. Join Rudy! Contribute! Stay Informed! If I can wade through all the red white and blue to the little "Why Rudy" button, I find a video (ugh, a video--I wanted some portable facts) about why Floridians support him. But arguably he is uninterested in New Hampshire voters, so we'll give him a pass.

B John McCain

In the very middle of the page, one of the first things I see, is "Why McCain." Great! Already you are miles ahead of Rudy and Mitt. I click on it, and the resulting page is fine, but a little long-winded, with rambling paragraphs, mostly about the challenges faced, not about McCain. You may get to me, but you're not giving me portable, clear ideas about why him.

A- Ron Paul
This website, like the others, is more directed at supporters than undecideds, but, like McCain, there is an easily findable "Who Is Ron Paul" button and another "Learn" button in case I missed it. Those pages lead to a clear summary of Ron Paul, and then a shockingly refreshing, very portable, list of bullets about his record and position. I feel like in 5 minutes I can go from knowing nothing about him to knowing a great deal.

A Mike Huckabee

Even more in the middle, right at the heart of the website, is an invitation to me--the undecided. It doesn't get in the way of those who support him, but it tells me exactly what I need to do.

"First Time Visitor? Mike Huckabee 101
Learn About Mike, Where He Stands On the Issues, Read Why Others Like Mike and much more..."

When I click through, I get a few options--learn about his issues, learn about his supporters, learn about his bio. Great! Its respectful and directed at me: If you are a voter considering Mike Huckabee...And the pages it leads me to are clear and in big type, without long paragraphs. Its not as crystal-clear as Paul, but within 5 minutes I can very easily go from knowing nothing to knowing a great deal.

Respectful and portable

Both terrific comments! All the videos drive me crazy. If that's what I wanted, I'd watch TV. I like print because I can work with it, check it out if I want to. I guess I find it less ephemeral--and faster to download.

And talk about a lack of respect for voters. Most of the sites I've visited so far this cycle make me feel like a cheap hooker. They haven't even told me a single thing about the john and they're already hitting me up for money. Or asking me to join their stable. Clearly I need a better pimp.

Maybe McCain's campaign has changed it, but his site had a splash page that asked for money before you even got to the main site. With a black background that made it look like a portal of doom, no less. To me, that was the height of chutzpah.

I miss Howard Dean!



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