Isn’t it painfully ironic that Utah Republicans in the legislature can have a slick and professional technology apparatus running the whole of the 2008 legislative session and yet still be so completely clueless as to how these internet tubes function? If it weren’t for Ric Cantrell, the Republicans in the Utah Senate would still be throwing poop at each other as a way of communication. I mean, can you see Senator Buttars picking Michael Castner for anything other than being the target of a “hate lynching“? Me either.
This year, Cantrell once again took a major step forward for Utah Republicans (yeah, yeah, you invite the Dems to play on your hard right messaging portal, I know, blah, blah, I’ve been invited to join the Republican Party … about the same thing) insofar as making the Senate Republicans look open and transparent (still closing caucus meetings from the press and public? Thought so). Which it’s not. But it LOOKS like it is. That’s hard to do, but, Ric did it.
So, where the hell were the Democrats this year? Unlike the situation in most of the states, in Utah, Democrats are still living in the 1980’s as far as technology is concerned. You know … Fax machines (with a little Frontpage thrown in as a nod to the changing times).
Both the Democratic House and Senate use their “blogs” and/or “web pages” as a complete after-thought. It’s almost as if they still consider newspapers to be important or relevant and the only game in town.
Look, in a world where Rep. Chris Cannon has a blog that accepts comments (even if they do edit them when they don’t like the message) why the hell does the Utah Democratic Senate Site (designed, I have to believe, by someone’s 12 year old nephew) have comments turned off?
Part of the problem of Utah’s Democratic Minority (and the reason for it) is their sheer terror/complete ignorance about technology, use of technology, manipulation of technology by elected democrats and their unwillingness to do something about it.
There are a lot of other problems, granted, but this is the easiest, least expensive, most comprehensive and completely mailable way to talk to your constituents, detractors, once and future donors, the friggin’ press, anon anon.
2008 is one of those years where, for election purposes, it would have been nice to see elected Democrats get out from behind their mimeograph machines and start acting like they have a message. But they didn’t.
Example Utah Legislature – Republican Messaging 2008
Example Utah Legislature – Democratic Messaging 2008
LMMFAO! Oh my GOD, that was awesome! I have to call Fred and Sharron right now so I can improve my life with a “VIDEO MOVIE”… ROTFLMAO!
That was a long way to go for a punchline, wasn’t it?
This is Daily Show quality comedy/commentary here.
ya, i’m still laughing about that one, you can even send it over the interrrnettt, lol
Oh my freaking non-existent lord! Fred and Sharron just about killed me. I may post later after I’ve caught my breath.
Okay, I know you think I’m a little too Moderate Jeff, but I do appreciate your blog, and that was freakin hilarious!!!!!
Geez, and I thought maybe you were volunteering to be the UT Dems techie. 🙂
Thank you! Fred and Sharron are masters of putting video movies on the internet.
You’d think Miller would know this and try to get the Capitol Hill Dems up to speed.
Several people over the last few years, including Miller, have tried to get the Party and our elected Democrats to wander into this century.
Sadly, it’s just sitting static, and won’t anytime soon.
It’s funny that nationally the Democrats often outperform the Republicans in their use of the internet, but here in our state the Democrats feel proud to even have a website while the Republicans treat it like bread and butter – having a good website is more important than being responsive to voters.
Can’t touch this.
Most of us are just waiting for you to admit where you “got this.” It’s not really an idea Republicans usually have on their own…
Things that make you go hmm…
Because of reading your blog, I decided to write my own. I had never been interested in keeping a blog until I saw how helpful yours was, then I was inspired!