Republicans on Verge of Losing the Information Front
There is word that most of the Republican candidates for President have yet to confirm their participation in the September 17 CNN/YouTube Debate. For them to not take part would be a political disaster. It would also be yet another in Public Relations/Marketing/Communication blunders made by the GOP.
Which political party is best at using:
- The World Wide Web
- Blogs
- Online fundraising
The answer is “Not the Republican Party.” This must change. Yes, there are widely-read conservative bloggers and websites. This is being done despite the lack of effort on the part of the GOP. The GOP, and the candidates out there need to recognize the importance of dissemination of information on the Web. Embrace Web video, blogs, wikis, forums, RSS, comments on postings, Trackbacks, Pingbacks, etc. Use these technologies often and well.
There is an image of the “old, white man” that the GOP has to shake. Remember the kerfuffle over President Bush and the checkout scanner? That’s happening again with the Web and the GOP. The GOP is not “hip” to the Web. Yes, President G.W. Bush has an iPod. Big whoop. Name a candidate that blogs. Name the GOP-friendly equivalent of MoveOn.org.
I know what these yet-to-confirm candidates are thinking about the YouTube Debates: The Democratic one was a circus. It was pretty ridiculous half the time with ridiculous questions vetted by CNN. GOP candidates are thinking, “Why would I subject myself to this joke of an event?”
They better. Confirm they’re going to take part. Be ready for stupid questions. Nut-up to them and let us know you think they’re ridiculous and irrelevant compared to the things that need to be done. Respond to the questions as being fit for the “Do-Nothing” Democratic Congress, but not for the American people and you, the candidates who are ready to get things done when elected. Take this head-on. Acknowledge the questions that are thoughtful and pertinent. Scold the questions that are not appropriate and a waste of voters’ time.
Not taking part reinforces an image you don’t need of the party of rich, old white men out of touch with youth and everyday realities of American people. Seen the approval ratings polls for government institutions lately? Evoke the spirit of Teddy Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln and The Great Communicator and face this debate head-on.
Visit Patrick Ruffini’s “Save the Debate” petition site and sign your name asking the candidates to participate.
July 27th, 2007 at 15:34 EDT
Minor Republican Presidential Candidates:
Do not let Romney, Giuliani, T. Thompson, F. Thompson, Brownback, or Hunter get away with shunning the YouTube debates. Here is your chance to to gain publicity by being one of the few candidates taking the YouTube debate and gain precedance that way. Hurry, you only have until September 17th 2007 to make a splash.
Or
If you yourself are not planning to run, but want to see a Republican that you have always admired and who is of presidential material run, e-mail that person and tell them that THIS IS YOUR CHANCE to get alot of publicity and actually be the nomination. This is the ultimate oppurtunity!