Republicans Have Online Advantage Here in Duval

[stephendare]

This is an interesting article from Abel Harding over at JaxPolitics

http://jaxpoliticsonline.com/2009/09/05/in-duval-republicans-years-ahead-of-democrats-in-outreach-methods/

by Abel Harding

A recent column by Sayfie Review Executive Editor Jordan Raynor looked at the "online footprint" of Florida politicians and explored the theory that a massive footprint has become essential for political survival.  Raynor points to former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as the prime example.  In the aftermath of Palin's surprise decision to resign as Governor, media outlets---unable to obtain further comment from the Governor---began widely speculating as to the reasons behind her departure.  Palin, without granting a single media interview, sent a message to her 853,760 Facebook fans filling them in on the reasons behind her departure.

Facebook and Twitter are the new talk radio---and even more powerful.  And in Jacksonville, the Duval County Republican Party are determined to dominate both as they attempt to move beyond a surprisingly close 2008 Presidential election.  In their complete embrace of social media, the Duval GOP has no local rival.  With a hard-charging young Chairman and an entrepreneurial team of volunteers, it's no surprise that local Republicans would be trend-setters with social media networking.  What is surprising; however, is the fact that---with the exception of Jacksonville Young Dems---local Democrats are so far behind.

Less than one year after Barack Obama harnessed the power of social media networking to drive young voters to the polls, the Duval Democratic Party has yet to establish a presence on Facebook or Twitter.  In contrast, the Republican Party of Duval County has 679 members of their Facebook group and   72 Twitter followers.  (Their Chairman, Lenny Curry, also utilizes social media to communicate with both his membership and traditional media---he has 81 Twitter followers and over 300 Facebook friends.)  While the local Democratic Party has no Facebook or Twitter presence, the Jacksonville Young Dems have attempted to fill the void.  They have 393 Facebook fans and 126 Twitter followers.

Social media networks, of course, do not always guarantee voter turnout, and that's something many Democrats (and more traditionally-minded Republicans) are quick to point out.  What they do indicate; however, is excitement within the party, a sense of organization and an unfiltered medium to communicate to "fans", "membership" and "followers" via a quick broadcast message that can be used to counter any other messages being received through traditional media sources.  The Duval County Republican Party has also reached out to an "old" medium:  talk radio.  Party Chairman Lenny Curry and State Committeewoman Cindy Graves host their own weekly radio show, "What's The Buzz", on WBOB.

The Duval GOP's online footprint is unmatched locally, and it's growing---something that will only help them as they seek to disseminate their message without the filters that are unavoidable in print, radio and television media.  With their complete embrace of social media, the Duval County Republican Party has sent a clear message to local political observers---they may be the dominant party in North Florida politics, but they have no intentions of resting on their laurels.  And, until Duval Democrats are willing to get in the online game, it looks as if Republicans will continue as the main player in local politics for years to come.

[buckethead]

Perhaps the advantage is due to Democrats waiting for home internet access to be provided for free by the Government.....

Not bad.

I've been a registered Rebublican for 16 years, and have become completely disgusted with the party.
We have taken to appealing to the least common denomenator in an effort to gain votes.

This is something we have long accused Democrats of doing. Democrats are doing a much better job of convincing the youth that they are on the right path. I still disagree strongly with that notion, but Rebublicans are doing nothing more than smearing, fearmongering and offering no leadership.

We had a Republican Congress, and "enhanced" that with a Republican President, and somehow they doubled the size and scope of the Federal government, while accusing Bill Clinton of creating every problem known to man.

There is but one true party. They remain in power at all times.

The government should do something.

[johnsantangelo]

Perhaps the advantage is due to Democrats waiting for home internet access to be provided for free by the Government.....

How original.

[FayeforCure]

Perhaps the advantage is due to Democrats waiting for home internet access to be provided for free by the Government.....

Not bad.

I've been a registered Rebublican for 16 years, and have become completely disgusted with the party.
We have taken to appealing to the least common denomenator in an effort to gain votes.

This is something we have long accused Democrats of doing. Democrats are doing a much better job of convincing the youth that they are on the right path. I still disagree strongly with that notion, but Rebublicans are doing nothing more than smearing, fearmongering and offering no leadership.

We had a Republican Congress, and "enhanced" that with a Republican President, and somehow they doubled the size and scope of the Federal government, while accusing Bill Clinton of creating every problem known to man.

Nice comment buckethead!

[FayeforCure]

I think the Dems here are mostly leaderless.  I have had the distinct displeasure recently to realize that a number of them are also self loathing, and ashamed of their progressive points of view.

Real wake up call.

The Chair of the Duval Dems is a good friend of mine. He's a veteran. He's also had a hand in organizing the Duval Dems to the point that they made a 16% improvement in the Presidential race for Obama. McCain only won by less than 2%.

I admit I have not been to any Duval county DEC meetings in years, and I'm not impressed with the DEC meetings in St Johns.

Dems in NE Florida generally seem to be in hiding so as not to upset Republican sensibilities.

[mtraininjax]

A blind fool could have beaten the republicans last November. People vote their wallet for President.

[RiversideLoki]

As a registered Dem and someone pretty keen on the business and social community, I have to say that Jacksonville will remain a stronghold of the right for the foreseeable future. Republicans in this town have a pretty good ability to marginalize "Liberals" (as they say through clenched teeth) and make it uncouth or socially unacceptable to be a Democrat and hold strong social values. It doesn't matter what services you can provide to a person/organization. If someone of this old mindset gets wind that you're a Democrat, you're pretty much left out in the cold as far as business deals and social events with any clout. It's just a fact, and I've seen it happen time and time again. When was the last time you went to a chamber meeting? The yatch club at Ortega? The U-Club?

Yes, there are plenty of young progressives in this town. But we don't have a base of community cooperation besides a really horribly organized party that hasn't been particularly effective in harnessing the internet for true gains. We had good street representation during the elections, but that momentum is gone and there's no sense of camaraderie or community as far as the Duval dem party is concerned. I remember my email bucket being flooded around the time of the elections, now it's fallen silent and there's smear campaign after smear campaign on TV right now regarding the Thrasher garbage (which doesn't even effect the urban core.) But really... an ad that states "Liberal trial lawyers are teaming up with illegal aliens to blah blah blah"? Come on guys.

It's uncool to be a "liberal" in Jacksonville. Old money rules the burbs. FBC rules the core. To get anything done and make decent business contacts you have to hide the fact that you're a Democrat or just plain pretend that you're a Republican (this has worked for me in the past).

[buckethead]

I do not disagree that a bias exists against liberals/democrats within the business communty at large. Many af the well connected Republicans are anything but well informed. This comes from someone (me) who is less informed than I should be.

Politics is more about money, power and control of the public coffers, more than it is about principles. Democrat control would have the same result in this regard, but a different group of insiders, manipulators and beneficiaries.

True belivers on both sides exist, and are routinely dismissed as crackpots.

[FayeforCure]

I think that the number of progessives in this town is larger than you think, If you ask people issue by issue, rather than what their general beliefs are.  On the issues, I would bet that there is a slim majority of progrssive people.

And I think there is a bigger problem with self loathing liberals than with their opposition.   Even here on our own board, we have 'liberals' who will not tolerate any progressive discussion.  And some of our 'conservatives' have incredibly 'progressive' ideas.


And its weird, Ive found that if you are going to argue the progressive viewpoint, the so called conservatives in this town are actually eager to find someone with a little conviction.   I relish the challenge, and that my world doesnt end as a result of sticking up for the progressive ideas that I believe in----And im not a dem.  The only thing I have ever seen some of the 'dems' and the right wing republicans at our meetings agree on is that the 'liberal' moniker is embarrasing.

Metrojacksonville doesnt have any brand of politics.   Its a design, policy and infrastructure site.  In dealing with buildings, plumbing, streets, connectivity and the like, none of that has any real bearing.  Both libs and conservatives have the good sense to come inside when its raining, enjoy their community and love a great building.   Our board consists of a liberal republican, a moderate republican, two moderate democrats and we are accompanied by a flaming dixiecrat to most things. 

But I agree with you, the progressives have allowed the 'liberal' word to become a negative, they lack leadership.  I would think that a Ben America or Lisa King or someone would step up to the online plate.

Well, my response to those that call me a liberal through their clenched teeth is: I smile and say, "Thank you,..........with liberty and justice for all!"

Sometimes I'll ask them if they would prefer one-party rule, to which they often say yes. Then I ask them why they even bother living in a representative democracy. And off course they are dumbfounded.

[CS Foltz]

Maybe it is time for a viable third or fourth party............when you have a choice between grape and an apple is that a choice? Sometimes it is a matter of who to vote against! I voted against John Meserve and will do so again!

[Overstreet]

Just because the national politics labels democrats liberals don't make it so. There are conservative democrats.

Consider this. Jacksonville has carried many Republican candidates in local and national elections. You might expect there to be more Republicans than Democrats. But that is not so. Supervisor of elections shows there to be Rep..... 194,177, Dem........242,418 and Other......95,831.  I suspect there are two factors
     A. People vote with their mind more than we give them credit for.
     B. The "Other" party makes the swing one way or the other.

[JaxBorn1962]

Perhaps the advantage is due to Democrats waiting for home internet access to be provided for free by the Government.....

You so Funny

[CS Foltz]

How about......Republicans are more able to have computers therefore are more able to organize on the net? That is an affordability issue!