Alan Rosenblatt recently complained of the dearth of issue content on candidates' websites.

I'll make the same complaint about their emails, all of which which I've subscribed to in a fit of masochism.

In order of frequency, the email communications I've received since February have focused on:

1. I need your money
2. I really need your money by March 31
3. Here's the spin on my 1st quarter fundraising
4. Here's what I'm doing this week
5. Watch me here (which occasionally is an event/media appearance where issues might be discussed)
6. Help me send a strong message to the President. the Attorney General, whomever... (essentially e-list building for fundraising)
7. Earnest but trite messages marking holidays and events (Happy Easter to you too)
8. And bringing up the rear, here's my latest speech on ...

Now the last does deal with issues, but only in a one-directional "here's my view, which you should applaud" manner. What's communicated is simply: "Here's my view ... if you like it, support me."

What were we expecting ... a dialogue with the candidate? A chance for US to influence THEM? Naive us! Campaigns are sales campaigns after all.

But even so, the campaigns don't seem to know the basics of what's called CRM (consumer relationship marketing) in the commercial world. It would be so easy for a campaign to ask me online about my issue priorities and then feed me material on those issues. At least give a nod to MY concerns. CRM 101.