The Web and U.S. Senatorial Campaigns 2000

Abstract

Political communication tools are an inextricable part of the political campaign process. As time and technology advance, the way political information is disseminated and received is altered. This article focuses on the use of the Internet in the U.S. senatorial campaigns of 2000. It looks at how the Web affects the process of political campaigning. The relationship between democracy and the Internet is complex, and the opportunity to make good decisions about the architecture and design of the 21st century digital democratic process is here. It is, therefore, imperative to look at issues and scrutinize how the Internet can be used. Through an in-depth cross-sectional analysis of Web site usage among Democratic and Republican candidates and women and men, the author shows how U.S. senatorial candidates used the Internet in the 2000 campaign. The author's study shows that 88% of the 68 U.S. senatorial candidates had Web sites for the 2000 elections.