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High Tech Politics

Local Campaigners Seek An Electronic Edge

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: June 25, 2008

Technology has changed the way political campaigns are run, according to several local politicians, candidates and party officials.

Chuck Oakes, state committeeman from the Highlands County Republican Party, said that the Internet made a major impact on political campaigning.

"Instead of people coming out at night and listening to speeches, they rely on the Internet," said Oakes. "Instead of watching a debate on television, they're watching segments on the Internet."
One real advantage is the number of computer savvy-younger voters who get their political information from the web.

Oakes enjoys reading Web blogs.

"They're a lot of fun," he said. "You get a lot of different people, although some are really kooky, but it doesn't matter how you get it, if you analyze the information."

Democratic Party worker Billy Joe Shannon said younger voters are better informed.
"It's right there and current for a young group of people," said Shannon.

Republican Tom Rooney is running for the first time for U.S. Congress and points to his website and "e-mail blasts" as wonderful tools to educate the voter.

"We don't want to saturate people with an e-mail everyday, but we try to send one e-mail each week," said Rooney. "It's an attempt to keep people up to date."

Denise Grimsley, state representative, said that the Internet is a big part of her campaign, along with direct mailing. She expects to send constituents information by mail on upcoming constitutional amendment questions, but said on Tuesday that early voting has made a big difference.

Patrick Hogan is the chairman of Democratic Party of Highlands County. He said that better mapping tied to voter records and party affiliation has made his goal to get out the vote easier, especially when canvassing neighborhoods.

There were no maps until six years ago, said Hogan. "They're getting better and better. You don't waste your time looking for homes and people you need to talk to."

Rooney and other candidates talked about fundraising through websites.

"Fundraising online is an unobtrusive way of asking," said Rooney. "They participate at their own pace. It's a little bit more private."

Gayle Harrell is finishing up her fourth term in the state legislature and is running for the 16th congressional district seat, which covers eight counties, including all of Highlands County.

She favors a comprehensive Website, but said the old fashioned way of campaigning is still the best.
"We want people to know as much as we can about Gayle Harrell," she said. "They need as much information as possible — not just 30 second sound bites."

"The more things change, the more they stay the same," said Harrell. "It's most important to listen to the voters by door to door campaigning and talking and listening."

Even politicians dislike having to answer the phone during supper and then listen to an automatic phone call from a politician. Rooney said he's not a "big fan" but consultants tell him the mass calls work, although he has yet use the tactic.

"I usually hang up," said Rooney. "If we could spend our money elsewhere, I might do that."

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