These commentaries won't be a regular thing (at least not right now). NextStage does offer daily political analysis update via subscription. You can find a link to this complete paper at the bottom of this post. If you've found them interesting they can become a regular thing. Let us know.
WebSite Comparisons
So far there's no real brake-out candidate, based on the web site analysis. The candidates target audience shifts with redesigns, which is to be expected as the candidates refine there messages and platform and find different ways to use their web site in their campaign.
When the intensity of the messages are consistent it means that the candidate is "staying the course". They are "happy" with their sites and how it represents them. They aren't being swayed by opinion polls reinventing themselves with every change in the numbers. It could also mean that they are still unsure of how to get their message across to the public and aren't ready to change things. Their camp is still formulating the candidates' image.
An upwards shift indicates that the message intensity has increased. Depending on the message this can have positive results. If the "They're Not Good People" increases then the candidate may feel that they have to defend themselves and they are "lashing out" at the other candidates. When the other messages intensity increases it may be because the candidates have solidified their message, they now know what to say and how to say it. A downward shift in intensity is not always negative. It may indicate a shift of focus to a different way of doing things.
When a comparison is done on all of the candidates it is evident that they are targeting different audiences, though there is some overlap. Of all sites analyzed only John McCain's site is targeting more men than women.
The two democratic campaign sites were designed for people who think in absolutes, blacks and whites. This could be an indication that Senators Clinton and Obama's camps are taking a cue from the NRC's '04 handbook - make things into obvious and polarizing issues.
Next up, A Summary of the Messages...
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Links for this post:
- BarackObama.com
- HillaryClinton.com
- JohnMcCain.com
- MittRomney.com
- NextStage's Daily Political Analysis (subscription service)
- Political Blog Posts
- Political Commentary from a New Media Perspective 26 Mar 07 (complete paper)
- Political Commentary from a New Media Perspective 26 Mar 07, Part 1
- Political Commentary from a New Media Perspective 26 Mar 07, Part 2
- Political Commentary from a New Media Perspective 26 Mar 07, Part 3
- Political Commentary from a New Media Perspective 26 Mar 07, Part 4
- Political Commentary from a New Media Perspective 26 Mar 07, Part 5
- Political Commentary from a New Media Perspective 26 Mar 07, Part 6
- NextStage on Politics
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