I don't like the new Democratic Party website

[Jackson4Gore]

I was expecting something much better than this. I actually think the last one was better than the one that came online today. Why don't they design it like John Kerry had his campaign site? I thought that was a very powerful site with tons of tools and information. Also, why don't the Democratic Party website have a forum on it? I think that would be a good idea as it was on Kerry's 2004 site.

I hope this new website is just going through growing pains because right now it sucks. We need something that can combat the Republican's online powerhouse.

http://democrats.org/

[Catch22Dem]

1. From a web designer POV

I don't care much for it. Looks a little amateurish.

[LittleClarkie]

90. I wonder if they're looking for web designer volunteers

I wonder if they'd accept help on the thing.

[wakeme2008]

2. I love it

it looks great... :shrug:

[Jackson4Gore]

3. Actually it does look amateurish.

[madfloridian]

25. I like it. It is fine for our needs.

I think you are being overly critical. The other websites you posted, I don't like. I don't like the RNC website because I know it stands for corporations.

Dean in his letter today states he wants to change the funding base...that is what I respect.

I am glad you love the RNC website so much, but comparing it with the DNC one is over the line.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LittleClarkie]

43. Who's post are you responding to?

Mad Floridian said nothing about Ford.

It's like watching someone shadowbox.

She just said she liked the DNC website. Though coming at you for liking the layout of the RNC one is kinda off, I have to admit.

Still, she said nothing about Ford.

[madfloridian]

50. I did in another post. I don't like Harold Ford at all.

But I don't go around being insulting usually. Shove his picture in my face when you are insulting the party website which is still growing....and then I fight back.

He is right, I don't like him at all.

[Jackson4Gore]

60. Then you will love this

[LittleClarkie]

63. Okay, but he was responding to a post that had nothing to do with

Ford. One would think that he could respond to the post at hand.

Still steps over the line to me. Who cares if you like Ford or not. It's the website we're talking about. I think it looks alright. I don't see the problem.

[Jackson4Gore]

51. Did you read the posts?

Read posts 22, 24, and 28. I think Ford's name is mentioned pretty often in those posts.

[LittleClarkie]

64. I was looking at the one you were directly responding to

that had nothing to do with Ford. And whether or not she likes Ford has nothing to do with the DNC website.

[Jackson4Gore]

69. I know

I said nothing about Ford until she attacked him. Please read through the posts slow and you will see this.

[LittleClarkie]

74. No thanks

I'm more interested in the website then who said what to who first that started the hissy fight.

[madfloridian]

47. I wish it were just about me.

I could handle that. You were just wrong to start this thread on a day when so many people were happy with it.

To start the thread with a huge picture of the man who was so insulting to the party chairman that he sounded like a Republican is just a little bit too much.

I don't need to wake up and smell the coffee. I no longer support any of the Harold Ford types. Did you hear him on Imus? It was shocking.

He stands more with the Republicans than he does with the Democrats.

I have no hypocrisy, I have no one in the race. That is one way we who supported Dean are lucky. We don't have to worry about 08, the rest of you can fight over it.

I wish it were about me, but it is about the hypocrisy of so-called Democrats like Harold Ford. He does not speak for me.

[Jackson4Gore]

56. OMG

Yea I did hear what Harold said about Dean. I happen to be a friend of the Congressman and support him 100%. If you can't take it that some Democrats may disagree with some of Dean's rhetoric that if your problem.

[madfloridian]

75. I am glad you are friends with Ford.

Perhaps you will realize that what he said was very hurtful to many people, not just former Dean supporters.

You have a right to support him, I have a right not to like him.

But I would never have started a thread saying that.

[Jackson4Gore]

77. What the heck are you talking about?

I didn't start a thread about DEAN OR FORD. I was simply saying I thought the website was flawed! Where you get that I bashed Dean or where you get off bashing Ford is beyond me.

Don't bother, I won't reply to any more of your insaness.

[Mass]

4. It is fine for DNC base.

I really hope they do not hope to gain people on the fence with that.

[Jackson4Gore]

5. Yea

The GOP has a pretty powerful website that has tons of tools, info, and has a very nice sleek layout: http://gop.org/

I hope they do amend this site soon.

[Goldeneye]

6. Did you watch their video?

I don't know if I should laugh or cry.

[Poppyseedman]

8. Looking at the GOP site makes ours look like the Gee Club

The GOP site is defining who the Democratic party is.

About 40 % of their site is telling American who and what we are.

Our site is about "Democracy Bonds" WTF???

We are getting our asses kicked

[Ufour20]

13. Hey Buc's fan!

Go Buc's '05!

[Telly Savalas]

85. I found their perverse obsession with the Democrats...

to be a sign of weakness. If I were a fence-straddler who went to that website, I'd find it really suspicious that the page wasn't much more than a smear campaign against a powerless opposition. If they're doing such a great job running the country, shouldn't they be bragging about it? (Compare it to the website of the ruling Liberal Party of Canada)

Campaigns tend to only go negative when they're in trouble. We're over 16 months from the mid-term, and the GOP is full mudslinging mode.

[LittleClarkie]

86. Like where they point out that Dems don't have a plan

Do they have one on the site? Do they fully explain Bush's stances on Soc. Sec. and such?

I remember their brochures during the campaign. No content. Just half truths about Kerry and pretty phrases about Bush with no facts. You couldn't find Bush's positions on anything on those brochures.

[tishaLA]

17. You're right. This once

The Republicons define us and define their perverted mission. It has good graphics and it's concise.

Click on the GOP site in Spanish and then click on the DNC site in Spanish. Guess which site has more information? And guess which bothered to translate its most important stuff--like its vision and its donation information--and which one didn't.

And then do a search on the GOP site for Republicon leaders. And then do a search on the DNC site for information about Dem leaders. And then hang your head in shame because you can find more "information" about Kerry, Edwards, Clark, Pelosi, Reid, Feingold, etc. on the GOP site than the DNC site.

[K-W]

7. I like the new website on first glance. EOM

[MaineDem]

9. I'm not thrilled with it either

There doesn't appear to be links to individual states. In fact, the Northeast page doesn't even list Maine. I'm sure that's just one of the birthing pains.

[derby378]

10. There's a problem with their Democracy Bonds, too

https://www.democrats.org/page/contribute/democracybonds

They charge your credit card on the 27th each month. Who's the goofball who thought of that idea?

They should charge it on the 7th. Closer to payday for a lot of us.

[K-W]

11. Umm... it only matters when you get your credit card bill.

Since they are charging your credit card, not your bank account.

[Mass]

12. If you only have a debit card, it matters.

[LittleClarkie]

14. And when you get paid

I just budget for my automatics, so they're there by the end of the month. Even so, I can't afford it right now.

[K-W]

16. You still dont have a problem.

I put in 10$. Which I can certainly garuntee I have in the bank at any given time. Its an automatic monthly payment, you give what you know you can afford each month.

[benevolent dictator]

91. If you want to be charged on the 7th, set it up on the 7th.

They charge the same day each month as the first day you set it up. NARAL Pro-Choice does that too.

I looked today and it said it would charge the card on the 28th of each month, so I'm pretty sure it's just the same date each month and not a fixed thing. Just set it up the day after pay day and you'll be fine.

[NightOwwl]

15. It's terrible,

and not just because the design and content are lacking.

Say I'm a wavering Republican, or I'm your average Joe wanting some information about the Democratic party. This website tells me nothing. It doesn't grab my attention, it doesn't encourage me to want to learn more. Now, I'm not saying I could do any better, but for crying out loud, that's why they have professionals.

Any website, no matter the subject matter, should catch and keep your attention. This does neither. If this is phase 1, then they should have waited waited for phase 2 before they released it.

[Jackson4Gore]

18. Other parties

Even other party websites have a better site than this one:

http://www.gp.org/

http://www.constitutionparty.com/

http://www.lp.org/

http://www.usiap.org/

[madfloridian]

24. I don't like the other websites that much.

The colors are too brilliant, they are not centered, one must scroll.

And I don't like Harold Ford at all. He sounds more like a Republican than a Democrat.

I would never have said so though, not until you started this "I don't like the website" stuff.

I hate what we are becoming.

[LightningFlash]

34. Harold Ford= DLC...

When are they going to wake the hell up, and kick the neo-conservatives out of the democratic party? :thumbsdown:

:nuke: :nuke:

[Mass]

35. Why do you think that not liking this website is attacking Dean

I doubt he designed the website himself.

At this point, this website is a website for the grassroots. If this is his role, it is good.

It is also definitively better than the previous one.

But, if it is also a website to promote what the Democrats are to other constituencies or to people who are tired by the Republicans and are looking elsewhere, it is lacking (and frankly, the Kerry site during the campaign was as well).

[madfloridian]

39. I did not say that. Stay out of the primaries.

I did not say it was attacking Dean. It is attacking a party that is trying to grow different roots. It is not ever going to be as fancy as the RNC website.

The only way it is about Dean is because he is the one trying to change the funding system. Do you think that is a bad thing to do?

I don't.

[Mass]

44. I have no problem with Dean

(See NightOwwl's post (#15). This reflects fairly well what I think.

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[madfloridian]

53. I am female, I am not crazy, but I was a Deaniac.

You sound like our local party here. They are afraid of change, and one even told our group not to speak out on an important tax issue or we would make the GOP congressman mad.

I hope you don't reply further.

[LightningFlash]

66. Again, you shouldn't mix the website with Dean's influence.

He may have helped create the website but he is not responsible for its layout.

Also, Dean is the official chairman and actually stands for fighting on something rather than running away. Harold Ford simply ducks and covers, or takes his corporate paycheck and criticizes someone else.

[madfloridian]

70. I wasn't.

I didn't. I like the website, it is just fine. Dean knows very little about website layout, anyway. He never did. He is not a very good web person, per se.

No, if the person had not been so dismissive of the website so early on its development....I would not have said anything at all.

I heard Ford rip into Dean, and to see the picture of him in the sig line caused me to hyperventilate. He needs to act more like a Democrat.

BTW, I think we are saying basically the same thing.

[LightningFlash]

78. I was actually referring to Jackson.

Though you were talking about it, I was speaking to the original topic creator on his dismissive ranting regarding the website.

[Jackson4Gore]

81. God forbid anyone criticize 'Dean's' website!

We may all falter! Take cover! No more suggestions or criticims!

[LightningFlash]

83. Criticizm is not the same as bashing.

Criticizing anything is not the same as bashing it:


http://www.democrats.org/page/s/contact allows feedback.

[LittleClarkie]

84. Indeed

I say that all the time.

Saying you don't like something is different from saying something rude or half true.

Feedback folks, feedback.

[madfloridian]

89. Kind of sad.

No one said it was "Dean's website." No one.

There are ways to criticize a new website, the best way being to write them yourself.

They, unlike the fancy GOP website, really listen.

Posting a thread like this is not nearly as productive as letting them know how you feel.

A lot of people who liked it, thought it was fine, will now start thinking there is a lot lacking. That is not fair to do that.

[tishaLA]

48. I hate what we are becoming too

For example, in a discussion about the DNC website someone went out of the way to make a non sequitur comment about Rep. Ford.

[madfloridian]

62. Actually, the comments had a point.

The point was that as much I don't like Harold Ford, I don't insult him. This time I said it because of the divisiveness going on in this thread.

We are fighting so many battles on the ground locally, and statewide, and we are doing our best.

But because the DNC's new website is not as fancy as the RNC, DU goes bananas over it.

It is symptomatic of what is going on in the party. Harold Ford is symptomatic of what is going on. We need to break away from that mode.

If he can criticize the website with Ford's picture in his sig line, then he leaves it open.

[tishaLA]

76. Who went bananas?

Some people, including me, made some critiques of it--something, BTW, the DNC site asks for (and something I sent them). I think, for example, that the site needs to have better Spanish language features and that it needs to work harder on defining the Democratic AND Republicon party top to bottom than it does. Certainly there are many things the site does much better than it did in its last incarnation, but it has a long way to go to be as effective at communicating the message as the RNC site is. And, unfortunately or not, web presence is very important now.

I certainly should not be able to find more negative listings about Harry Reid on the RNC site than I can find positive ones on the DNC site. Why? Because it allows the Republicons to define us instead of vice versa.

I think changing the subject in the face of critique is one of the things wrong with the party--deflecting critique by turning against Harold Ford or Joe Biden just so we can kick someone else in the shins. That is not to say that Ford and Biden don't deserve critique--like all of us, they do.

It's sad. So sad.

[Jackson4Gore]

79. Exactly. I am out!

[LittleClarkie]

80. Is there a feedback function?

Maybe a few of us just need to email them with our suggestions. The webmaster might rather appreciate it.

[LightningFlash]

82. Try this:

[e-mail]
[e-mail]

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/contact

[tishaLA]

88. Yes. Go to the Blog

You have to register. But I think I sent feedback a different way. I saw a link, prolly i the blog section. You'll still have to register, though.

[flaminbats]

19. Risu inepto res ineptior nulla est..

:rofl:click northeast to learn what's happening now, west to find Democrats producing results, or south to discover real leadership for southern Democrats.

[LittleClarkie]

21. (clicks west) Oh look, a picture of Dean

(clicks south) Oh look, another picture of Dean.

Whatever could it mean?

[madfloridian]

23. I see no pictures of Dean there.

Could you please show me? Thanks.

[LittleClarkie]

38. Well, the person I was responding to was apparently

making fun of the DNC, saying that there was no leader for the southern Dems or no one showing any results. I was responding to his imaginary website with an imaginary answer to who was leading the South and who was showing results.

At least I hope so, anyway. He seems to be making a start of it, anyway.

Ya dig?

[flaminbats]

55. thanks for clarifying this........... ............

"And all these in their helpless days
By dour East oppress,
Mean paternalism
Making their mistakes for them,
Crucifying half the West,
Till the whole Atlantic coast
Seemed a giant spiders' nest."

[madfloridian]

32. Risu inepto res ineptior nulla est Nothing is sillier than a silly laugh.

And he who laughs last....well, you know. :rofl:

[LightningFlash]

20. It's only the first phase.

Dean is changing the website to become a completely different ballgame, its undergoing "under construction" phases right now.

Good first start. :thumbsup:

[madfloridian]

22. I don't like Harold Ford, but I don't go around being insulting.

This is the first phase of the site, there will be more. If you like the GOP site so much, go there. They really do have a fancy site, but they don't give a damn about the people of the party.

You, Jackson, love Harold Ford. I don't. I think the website is fine, you don't.

I think it is unnecessary to be so divisive right now. But that is what we do so well as Democrats. We snipe and gripe. I bet hardly anyone here signed up monthly.

Yet we gripe because the RNC is so fancy. It is stupid to do this.

I like the site, but I am not surprised at this thread. That is what we are becoming.

[msongs]

26. worst part is the "Tell Bush to Get Osama Now" because

if Bush gets Osama now, the dems will have to congratulate him on their own website.............big mistake.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[madfloridian]

28. Yeh, its really bad.

A shame to call attention to the fact that he is still roaming free. Rather silly.

[NYCGirl]

33. Heaven forbid we should ask the Bush administration to do their damn jobs!

NT

[LightningFlash]

92. This whole part of the party is what needs to go, and it needs to get out.

http://www.prospect.org/print-friendly/print/V12/7/dreyfuss-r.html

This is the part, the DLC, who has been attacking Dean constantly. They need to get the hell out of the way and go south, because most of America is not thrilled with corporate america.

In fact they need to get out NOW. Over 59% of america barely has healthcare, they need to stuff it and get off the bus.

We don't need anymore of these. We need them gone, permanently.

:patriot:

[madfloridian]

27. Here is the letter today, getting people funding it. I like it.

As I say, if you prefer the ritzy glitzy RNC site which stands more for the neocons and big business, fine with me.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From Governor Dean:

This morning, on the Democratic Party's brand new web site, I made my commitment to reform the political process and change the way political parties are financed.

I bought my Democracy Bond.

A Democracy Bond is the way for you to take control of our party's future. It's a monthly commitment to invest a small amount -- $20, $30 or whatever you can afford -- to build a sustainable Democratic Party in every state and win elections at every level of office.

More important, Democracy Bonds are the start of a community of Americans with a stake in our common future. We, the people, have the chance to reclaim our government and rid politics of special interest money once and for all:

http://www.democrats.org/democracybond

It's going to take more than you and me to make this happen. That's why, on your new site, you will be able to ask your friends and neighbors to join us. You'll also be able to track your progress as you build your own network of people committed to shaping the future of our party and our country.

If our party is going to both compete in the short term and build for the long term, we're going to have to do things differently.

The Republicans raise more than $10 million a month in huge checks from special interests and lobbyists. They have created a money-for-influence machine unlike anything our country has ever seen.

A million of us contributing $20 a month can double their total. To do that, every single one of us will have to take ownership of this party. And that's exactly the point -- by making your Democracy Bond commitment, and encouraging people you know to do the same, you can shift the balance of power in our political process.

You can start by getting your Democracy Bond now:

http://www.democrats.org/democracybond

I want to be straight with you -- there will be times when we all have to make additional investments in our work together.

But the Democracy Bond is a core commitment to our party and our values that every Democrat should embrace. We will only create lasting change if that sense of obligation and responsibility becomes a permanent part of our lives.

If you can't make a monthly commitment now, please make a one-time contribution to support building our party for the future:

http://www.democrats.org/contribute

The other side has its game plan to win. They will divide America by race, religion, class, sexual orientation and any other way they can if it means a political advantage -- they will even exploit the sacred memory of September 11th. They will shamelessly appeal to the worst in us -- exploiting our fears and scapegoating the most vulnerable. And while they stoke resentment among the people, special interests and ideologues will bankroll their party and set the agenda.

The way to beat them is simple. We will unite and empower people everywhere. By doing so we will ensure that the Democratic Party is beholden to no one but the people -- and that when we govern, the concerns of ordinary Americans are our priority.

Thank you for all that you do.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.
Chairman, Democratic National Committee

P.S. -- You can track the progress of the Democracy Bonds project and read about others who are making the commitment every day on our new web site: http://www.democrats.org

[madfloridian]

29. Good to see someone who doesn't mind being made fun of

by folks like Harold Ford and Joe Biden et al who are running away from being associated with him....and us.

Good for someone who is willing to risk the anger and ugliness from his own party to restructure the financial base of the party.

Now back to the usual bashing.

[LittleClarkie]

49. Dean, Kerry, Clark,

Same stuff, different dude. We ain't happy unless we're bashing SOMEBODY.

Hey did you hear Clark announce loud and proud that he was PROUD of Howard Dean?

And I was proud of him for being proud. Why can't we crow about stuff like that once in a blue moon, you know what I mean?

[bklyncowgirl]

30. It's a big improvement, needs some work but a step in the right direction

Attractive design, pretty easy to follow.

I like the democracy bond idea.

I like the fact that it's an interactive site. Comments accepted everywhere. Something the Republicans don't do.

I'd like to see more information on issues and more features that explains who the party is and what it stands for.

The People section is nice but I wonder if the picture should change with the group described, it's kind of disconcerting to look at a page devoted to young people when a great many people in the picture have grey hair.

Ok maybe that's being a little too picky. All in all a good start with room for improvement.

[zulchzulu]

31. C'mon..it's fine

I'm sure there will be more features added.

As for forums...blech...I mean...wait....wait...

What's this.... a blog where you can make comments....

http://democrats.org/blog.html

Should there be a Singles section....like Craig's List?

::->:

[madfloridian]

36. If you read this thread carefully....

And think back...you can almost see the point I try to make...the thing that kept me away from here for weeks...and will again.

We are still in the primary pattern.

It shows in several threads here today. Hell, I don't have a dog in the fight anymore, and I can be objective now. Trust me we are very very much in primary cliques. Not healthy. We have a party to grow.

[LittleClarkie]

41. I'm tryin' luv, I'm tryin

Taint easy. But never fear. I am Unity Girl. We will unify if I have to meld us together with Crazy Glue.

[jillan]

37. I like it...it's very user friendly

You can glance at it and quickly decide what you want to read first.
We don't need anything fancy, we just need quick info!

[Jackson4Gore]

42. Yea god forbid we ever outdo the Repubs in something

[LittleClarkie]

54. I dunno. I always thought the RNC website kind of garish

Or was that Dubya's site. Let me go look.

[Jackson4Gore]

57. Who gives a dang???

Who has been winning elections? Seems like we would try to improve in every way possible..not just co-exist or get worse. But that is just my opinion.

[LittleClarkie]

61. Who gives a dang about what?

my opinion?

Is it my opinion you don't give a dang about?! Well?!

I'm sorry, it's garish. And that's my opinion. I'm allowed one as well.

And let me tell you they didn't win elections based on that damn website. Only the base would head over to either website. The Right catches their flies on the radio and television. Only the wonks head over to the websites.

[Jackson4Gore]

68. No

Not what I said. I said who cares who their site looks like, it worked. And yes, the Republicans have a very strong online base, which helps them get their message out and yes their website did help produce the win.

[LittleClarkie]

72. So what's so special about theirs that's lacking on ours?

If it's not the presentation, then what info do they have that we don't?

I'm missing what you're seeing I guess.

[Jackson4Gore]

73. Just look at it. Where is the content? Where is the appeal?

Where are the videos? Where are the action alerts?

[LightningFlash]

93. Who says it needs those things?

Who says the DLC determines the rules anymore? They can get out.

The truth is if anything, the website needs to show pictures which confirm the DNC's diversity. Pictures of the black african americans, latinos, native americans, caucasions, hispanics, irish, and all other forms which make up this party.

That's what it needs, because right now there is no message or color in the message.

[madfloridian]

65. Do you really think the RNC website is helping their wins?

Well, silly me, I thought it was about the election problems, the fact that they owned the media, the fact that their media beat the war drums, the fact that they play on our fears...I could go on.

I doubt the RNC website is that responsible.

I think you are being unnecessarily divisive, and I called you on it. I have nothing to lose. I am already despised here because I was a Deaniac. I have nothing at all to lose.

The battle is just beginning. And the winners are not going to be the Harold Ford types.

[Jackson4Gore]

71. Do you really think it hurt?

[AntiCoup2K4]

94. You're right.

The guys winning the elections DO have an impressive website.

Now what does that have to do with this party getting rid of corporate whores and MOONIE SELLOUTS like your buddy Harry?

[LittleClarkie]

58. Okay, I'm back. Eh, it's okay I guess

I don't see what's so bad about ours. Seems pretty decent actually. I don't see where the RNC one is so special in comparison.

I like our "Ask Bush were Bin Laden is" bit.

[NYCGirl]

45. To coin a phrase,people who live in glass websites shouldn't throw stones.

NT

[snowbear]

52. Everyone should fill out their comments section for the new site:

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/relaunch

If we ALL fill it out, maybe as they continue to tinker around with it.. they'll get it juuuuuust right.. :thumbsup:

I've only asked them a question once (at the old site), but they were super fast in responding :)

To me the new site looks better than the old one.. but it's definitely not going to win any "webby awards" :spray: ..As far as the overall look, the flag in the background is too dark (hard to tell it's a flag really)... and I don't care much for the layout..

But.. :shrug: ..it's a start! :)

[jillan]

59. Ok - I just went over to the other site, it's not that great!

What more do we need on the site?

[LittleClarkie]

67. You mean the RNC site

Yeah, I didn't think it was so all-fired spiffy either. Surely its not converting people to Republicanism with it's dazzling presentation. I think radio and tv are doing that, frankly.

I thought ours looked pretty good, really.

[snowbear]

87. Ah geez guys.. let's just hug and make up.. then go fill out the...

section for how they can improve the site that they've added..

(((( :grouphug: ))))

I'll betcha they'll be working out the bugs and adding the suggestions they receive as time goes on!

Hey Jackson, I keep meaning to ask you -- is that you in those photos with VP Gore and soon to be U.S. Senator Ford? :)

[Moderator]

95. Locking

It appears this thread has seen better days.

Or hours, as the case may be.