Sept. 28, 1999
By
Tom Cronin
CyberCaucus 2000 News Service
Drake
University
DES MOINES, Iowa-- As the Internet's role in presidential campaigns increases, campaign Web sites are becoming customized to groups of potential voters in the year 2000. Some candidates have devoted separate sites or portions of their sites to campaign efforts in Iowa
Vice President Al Gore, the front-running Democratic presidential candidate, is one candidate with a campaign Web page focused on Iowa. Gore's Iowa campaign site focuses on endorsements he has received from other political officials and organizations. The most recent endorsement listed on the site was from Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa
The site also gives Iowans the opportunity to volunteer for Gore's campaign, obtain information about Iowans for Gore organizational meetings, register to vote and receive free campaign updates via e-mail.
Information about the Gore 2000 Iowa headquarters, at 2415 Ingersoll Ave. in Des Moines, is also available.
Texas Gov. George W. Bush, the front-running Republican presidential candidate, also has an Iowa campaign site. Iowa.georgewbush.com capitalizes on Bush's victory at the Iowa straw poll in Ames by thanking Iowans for nominating Bush and displaying Bush's remarks at the straw poll. The site also includes news releases, Bush's views on key issues, photos and Bush's biographical information.
Eric Woolson, press director for Bush's Iowa campaign, said Bush's Iowa site has been successful in gaining support from Iowans - especially young Iowans - and keeping both the public and the media informed of campaign updates.
"It really is helpful from a number of different perspectives," he said.
Bush's national campaign site was created in March, which is when Bush formed his exploratory committee. His Iowa site was created in June, Woolson said.
Both Bush's national and Iowa sites are designed and maintained by Bush's national headquarters in Austin, Texas. Woolson said the webmaster updates the sites as events happen.
The most recent news update on Bush's Iowa site, "Former five-term Iowa governor endorses Bush," was posted Aug. 5.
A portion of Elizabeth Dole's campaign site, called the Iowa for Dole home page, is devoted to Iowa as well.
Dole's Iowa page includes Iowa Leadership Team information, Iowa voter registration information, campaign news, information for people interested in volunteering in Dole's campaign and an area asking for contributions.
Zach Nunn, executive director of the College Republicans at Drake University, helped design Lamar Alexander's campaign site before Alexander chose not to pursue the presidency. Nunn said Internet use is important to presidential campaigns, especially as a tool to gain younger voters.
"I think that every candidate has realized the importance of the Internet," he said.
Because many young voters are familiar with the Internet and access the Internet on a daily basis, campaigning on the Internet is the most effective method to reach out to young voters, Nunn said.
"The Internet is a place where young people will be," he said.
Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, has a campaign site with news updates about Iowa, but does not have a separate Iowa section on the site.
Paul Kraus, president of the Drake Democrats, volunteers for the Bradley campaign and visits Bradley's campaign site often.
Bradley's site includes campaign news, information about future speeches, biographical information and ways for people to get involved in the campaign. In addition, a pop-up window appears on Bradley's site, asking for contributions.
Bradley has raised more money in contributions via the Internet than any other presidential candidate, Kraus said.
Internet campaigning is of key importance this election year because people can easily access information about candidates and their positions on issues, people can now contribute money to campaigns using the Web, and competition between candidates' Web sites will play a major role in the overall campaigns, Kraus said.
"In this particular election, the Internet is going to play a larger role than it ever has before," he said.