Political Web Notes

Issue 12, Volume 2; December, 1999
Produced and delivered by Political Resources, Inc.

Fader.com Commentators Reaction! Citizens Against Government Waste Democratic Freedom Caucus NEW Leadership	Elections U.S.A. Votenet Politics.com
Donald J. Trump Presidential Exploratory           Committee Democratic Freedom Caucus Christensen for Congress	Burges & Burges – Strategists The Clinton Group America’s Campaign Store Eberle & Associates Cerrell Associates

Fader.com – http://www.fader.com A non-partisan political link site. The organization of links is straightforward, making the site easy to maneuver. The "Political Sites" section includes everything from 2030 Center to the ACLU and the American Conservative Union. The viewer might also check out the web sites dealing with the "Race Debate", "Abortion", "Sex View", "Military", "Health Care" and "Drugs." Fader succeeds in offering a balance of web sites to explore. There is also a section on how to contact political Chat rooms.

Commentators – http://commentators.com The site offers direct links to popular columnists and commentators. Because the site is updated daily and has new postings added regularly, it provides excellent current reading material. Commentators cover the full spectrum of views – from left to right. Among the many featured writers included are: E. Goodman, George Will, Tony Snow, David Broder, Robert Novak, AM Rosenthal, Matt Drudge, Rush Limbaugh, Dick Morris and many more.

Reaction! – http://freespace.virgin.net/christopher.knowles/upload.virgin.net/index.htm A Great Britain current affairs magazine from the Wakefield District Young Labour has a "left of center" perspective and spice in its coverage. Check out some of their articles, like "The Great Banana War Rages: Is No Tropical Fruit Safe?" Their main categories link to: British Politics, International Relations, Europe, Human Rights and Democracy. Their homepage highlights: "Red Pepper", a magazine of the green and radical left; "Treehuggers", "Amnesty International", "African Online News", "The Paperboy" (newspapers by country), and "Greenpeace."

Citizens Against Government Waste – http://www.cagw.org CAGW is a 600,000 member non-partisan organization dedicated to educating Americans about the mismanagement and inefficiency in the federal government. Founded in 1984 by the late J. Peter Grace, the Grace Commission was commissioned by President Reagan to uncover governmental waste and inefficiency. The current site tracks "Pork-Barrel Millionaires" and "the CAGW Pork Patrol". Check out their "Porker of the Month". Their "1999 Congressional Pig Book" outlines the worst of the worst of pork-barrel spending. They keep tabs on key legislation, offer "Legislative Alerts" and a monthly newsletter, "Wastewatcher". Their Taxpayer Action Network is a grassroots effort to involve citizens in the accountability process.

Democratic Freedom Caucus – http://www.progress.org/dfc While Progressive libertarians are only 9% of all Democrats within the Democratic Party (according to an October, 1998 Poll by the Washington Post), they have their own web site. The Democratic Freedom Caucus advocates individual liberty, limited government and social responsibility. According to the web site, DFC activities include electoral campaigns, legislative advocacy and education. They are forming local chapters.

NEW Leadership – http://www.newleadership.rutgers.edu National Education for Women’s Leadership is an initiative of the Center for the American Women and Politics (CAWP) to educate and empower the next generation of female leaders. It connects students to the world of policy makers and community activists. They have three key projects: an Institute, a Development Network and a Web Site devoted to young women, politics and leadership. NEW Leadership offers internship programs and many other opportunities for women interested in politics.

Elections U.S.A. – http://www.geocities.com/Capitolhill/6228/index.html The site describes itself as "striving to become the most objective site on the web." The home page is a very busy site, cramming in news, results, updates, and analyses. The political headlines on the home page include a brief description. The current polling numbers are listed right on the home page. A nice feature is that their individual pages, "Campaign 2000" or "Columnists" (covering the left and the right) include an executive summary. You can also post your comments on-line.

Votenet – http://www.votenet.com An excellent political content site. They have vastly improved their on-line information with the acquisition of FECInfo, Raintree Communications and politicallyblack.com. In addition to the headline news, featured on their old home page, the new site now offers "Public Disclosure information", "Follow the Money" and minority politics.   Search federal campaign contributions, and follow minority news and headlines. The user can also follow the status of individual bills and votes in Congress. Their "Capitol Watch" feature can be emailed to the user directly.

Politics.com – http://www.Politics.com Politics.com is a new entry on the political scene. Launched in October, Politics’ goal is to "change the way you experience politics." Kurt Ehrenberg, formerly of PoliticalJunkie.com has added content and interest to the site. On the home page is a rolling estimate of funds raised during the election cycle and a recent "polling snapshot." You can "follow the money" and you can click onto the webcast chat with Bill Bradley. Politics.com offered the first secure Internet Presidential Primary. With 8,000 netizens voting from Dec. 3 to Dec. 8, the following are the results: George W. Bush – 29%; Bill Bradley – 21%; Pat Buchanan – 17%; John McCain – 12%; Al Gore – 10%; Alan Keyes – 5%; Steve Forbes – 3%; Other – 3%; Gary Bauer – 1%.

Donald J. Trump Presidential Exploratory Committee – http://www.donaldjtrump2000.com "The Donald" is officially exploring the presidential nomination. The site doesn’t mention what party’s nomination he is seeking. He touts his savvy as a businessman and puts forward his economic plan for America. To eliminate the $9.2 billion dollar debt, Trump would levy a 14.25% net worth tax on individuals and trusts with a net worth over $10 million. While his campaign will be primarily self-financed, there is an opportunity to donate on-line. Trump asks us: "Tired of politics and politicians? Bored by the same old pablum served up by the other 2000 Presidential candidates?" The answer might be: Are we ready for "the Donald?"

North Carolina Libertarian Party – http://www.lpnc.org North Carolina may have a Libertarian primary campaign for governor this coming May. Both Barbara Howe and Larry Clark have declared their candidacy. In the spirit of good will, Barbara Howe allowed Clark to announce his Gubernatorial intentions at her fundraising event and Larry Clark, in turn, donated $50 to her campaign. Both signed a clean campaign pledge last August. A copy of the declaration is available on the web site. They promise to stick to the issues, to stay in close communication and to appear jointly. The North Carolina LP will monitor the process closely. The pledge could be a model for other candidates and parties. Also check out the LP web site. It is nicely designed and easy to maneuver.

Christensen for Congress – http://www.impg.com/c4c This site has been included because of the home page graphics. Christensen, (IL,D), has a series of rotating photographs that are dynamic and eye-catching. The site also includes a clock, measuring the time until the March 21^st Primary. Another interesting element on his site is the "Volunteers Only" feature. Volunteers need a password to get into this page, allowing the campaign to provide strategic information to trusted supporters. There is, however, no email address on the site.

JOB BANK – http://PoliticalResources.com/ We have recently added many job openings and resumes to our Political Job Bank. Check them out and send us your information.

WIN A FREE DIRECTORY - http://PoliticalResources.com  Political Resources has a weekly contest, giving away one of the 1999 Political Resource Directories.(Value: $95.00). You have to enter the drawing to win! Recipients are posted each week.

Burges & Burges – Strategists – http://www.burgesandburges.com – Full Campaign Services for Democrats.
The Clinton Group – http://www.theclintongroup.com – innovative telephone voter contact programs for Democrats.
America’s Campaign Store – http://www.AmericasCampaignStore.Com – "The Best Source for Political Materials"
Bruce Eberle & Associates – http://www.bruceeberle.com – Direct Mail fundraising for Republicans and Conservatives.
Cerrell Associates – http://www.cerrell.com – Full Service candidate & issue management for Democrats.

^{Register- receive the Political Web Notes summary via email}