Here’s a straw poll of the top campaign sites
One of my history teachers always used to say every presidential election is a “bloodless revolution.” I love this statement because it emphasizes how important voting in these contests really is. But the question always remains: How can one be an informed voter? Everyone leads a busy life; what’s an effective means to get as informed as one can?
One answer lies in using the Internet and its many political resources. If you are wondering who to vote for, or just want to be more acquainted with the candidates and the process, these sites will help you in your quest for nonviolent revolution.
“ politico.com — Many of the political sites on the Internet will either be mostly opinion or almost exclusively hard facts. Politico does an admirable job of combining and clearly labeling both on its colorful and easy-to-navigate pages. The front page puts developing news stories front and center, while the sidebar lists the most popular articles from pundits. Politico also features periodic videos discussing candidates’ political strategies, and the all-important delegate counter.
“ bbc.co.uk — Why would I list a British site for American political research? The BBC is one of the most reliable news sources in the world, and it has no bias toward a particular candidate. American news agencies are staffed by … well, Americans, who care deeply about who their next president will be. However, the British only have a passing interest in the next U.S. president, and so are far less likely to prefer one candidate over another.
“ votesmart.org — Congressional voting records are great for comparing your positions to those of the candidates. This site becomes particularly useful during the general election to fact-check attack ads from both sides. Also, Vote Smart offers valuable biographies of each candidate, including previous political and business careers. Think of it as a background check focusing on presidential hopefuls.
“ usaelectionpolls.com — Candidates and their staffs watch polls closely, and if you are interested in who is ahead, so should you. Also, polls help give a sense of which candidates may be more “electable” in the general election. The above site features polls from across the United States.
“ politicalinformation.com —This can best be described as a political portal. There are tools here for researching nearly anything remotely political. You can even narrow the links using categories such as “Issues,” or “Campaigns.” The hierarchical system makes finding what you want fast and easy.
“ Newsweek.com — Bucking the “liberal media” convention, Newsweek features brilliant columnists on both sides of the aisle, plus debate blogs and frequently updated top stories from the campaign trail.
Alas, the Internet is still the ultimate double-edged sword. A word of caution: if you are looking to make a good, informed decision, stay away from videos on YouTube and similar sites. They often show only pieces of what candidates say, which can be taken out of context at the drop of a hat. Smart Web research can pay off when it comes time to cast your ballot. You do not have to become a pundit yourself to be an informed voter. A little time and political interest is all it takes to lend power to your next ballot.