The Limitations of Web Campaigning

This is a good article about the limitations of the web as a campaign tool.

"Just because a campaign is Web-savvy, it isn't going to push them over the edge," said Giovanni Gallucci, a Dallas-based social media expert and new-media consultant. "You hear a lot of hoopla about fundraising doing so much on the Web, and yet look at Ron Paul."

I think what's interesting about that comment is that it rubs both ways: You can make an argument that without the Internet, Ron Paul would never have been the phenomenon he was this election. You can also make the argument that it never mattered, as the Internet was never going to overcome the difficulty in mass marketing Paul's unique approach to politics.

But if you look at the Obama campaign, you can make an argument that their Web campaigning did, in fact, push them over the edge.

Here's the link.

Impact Politics Wins Two AAPC Pollie Awards

South Florida firm receives national awards for work with Congressman Wexler and the Broward Democratic Party

(Santa Monica, CA) Impact Politics, LLC, an emerging South Florida political consulting firm, was awarded two "Pollies" by the bipartisan American Association of Political Consultants at their annual gala in Santa Monica, California. The Pollies are the nation's most prestigious award for political work.

The firm was awarded one of the three Pollies given to the Best Internet Campaign (for its work on Congressman Wexler's campaign advocating Cheney Impeachment Hearings at www.WexlerWantsHearings.com). The company also received one of the two Pollies awarded for Best Local Organization Website (for the Broward Democratic Party website - www.browarddems.com). Pollies are given based on factors including creativity and campaign/ad effectiveness.

"To be recognized by the AAPC - which is comprised of some of the best in the field - is an great honor. We're thankful to the AAPC and to our clients, who have been very proactive and willing to try strategies that have proven successful in the corporate world, but are still relatively new to political campaigns," said Brian Franklin, Impact Politics' founder.

Recent clients that have used (or are using) Impact Politics for communications strategy, advertising, or New Media consulting include Congressman Robert Wexler, the Broward Democratic Party, State Senator Dave Aronberg, State Senator Ted Deutch, State Senator Nan Rich, Chris Chiari (candidate for State House District 91), the National Federation of Public and Private Employees, and others outside of Florida. Earlier in the year, the Chiari campaign site (www.chiari08.com) was awarded Best Candidate Website by the Florida Netroots Caucus.

Franklin started the firm last year after ten years as a marketing consultant, creative director, and copywriter to dozens of advertising agencies, corporations, and non profits.

Mitch Ceasar, Chairman of the Broward County Democratic Party stated, "Any successful campaign by a candidate or party must utilize the Internet and New Media. It is now a political necessity."