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Let’s all play “Rate the New Website”

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YouTube

* Considering that Bill Brady has already run TV ads, a website counter-punch ain’t exactly sufficient. But the Democratic Governor’s Association has put up a new site blasting Brady. So, let’s give it a whirl and rate it.

Don’t forget to rate their Internet video as well…

…Adding… For a bit of perspective, you might want to compare that Intertubenet ad with this one…

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:13 pm

Comments

Well, I’m biased, so I still like my own website better.

BUT … to answer the actual question:

DESIGN
7 our of 10
It’s clean, easy to use and navigate, heavy on content and light on graphics … but no RSS feed and no comments/interaction available.

CONTENT
9 out of 10
Straight-forward, to the point, well-sourced and documented. Will be interesting to see how (and if) they add to it as well.

I’ve found it’s almost impossible to keep up with all the content that’s available … Brady seems to provide more opportunities daily for those who wish to point out who he really is. I’ve got a lot of work to do … and no Governor’s Association to help me.

Comment by ShadyBillBrady Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:29 pm
Wow, did really vote against all this stuff?

Video A- to solid A
Website - A+ - it’s simple and very informative

Comment by The Shadow Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:35 pm
Meh. I’m not feeling it and the DGA site isn’t helping. Lots of rehashed votes, no news for us junkies and nothing compelling to make us want to click on any of the links. The video? Too choppy, who edited that thing? Is that supposed to be edgy? It gave me a headache.

Somebody should do parodies of Brady’s ad, substituting the voice over with some of his more impolitic quotes/votes.

Something like, “I’m Bill Brady, and I know a thing or two about sewers!”

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:37 pm
I like the video, but if it were shorter, it would be a great TV ad. The problem is that Quinn’s silent. Could Quinn be having a money issue?

Comment by Independent Minded Dem Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:42 pm
47th Ward-

Something tells me this site and video isn’t for the junkies. It seems like it’s targeted towards un-informed voters or suburbanites.

Comment by The Shadow Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:45 pm
“Bill Brady didn’t vote for you, so don’t vote for him?”

That I like…excellent message…but took too long to get there.

Comment by Deep South Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:49 pm
Too much. It all runs together into a mismash that only reinforces negative emotions about Bill Brady. While it claims to be based on facts, it ends up throwing so much at viewers, the facts loose their punch.

I don’t like being spoken down to. Whoever shot the film of the guy downtown looking down at us, should be told not to do that again. It appears arrogant.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:50 pm
Video is too long and two choppy one person looking directly at the screen (suburban woman) would be more effective.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:52 pm
The anti-Kirk video is evil. It edits out all content, and anyone looking at it should recognize it as biased garbage.

I wouldn’t accept this crap regardless of party affiliation.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:53 pm
===it’s targeted towards un-informed voters or suburbanites.===

That’s fine. I’m sure a lot of nonjunkies will be searching out the DGA site now that American Idol is over for the season. I mean, let’s face it, if you want the best possible info on the candidates to make an informed choice at the ballot box, the DGA site has to be bookmarked. I’m sure the video here will drive tens of voters to the site. Maybe dozens. If that’s the point, Shadow, then it fails again.

Politico linked to a parody ad in the Alabama governor’s race that is laugh-out-loud-funny. Not sure who was behind it, but the DGA could learn something from it.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:55 pm
VanillaMan, wrong post man.

Comment by ShadyBillBrady Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:59 pm
I’ll give it an A. It’s comprehensive and well-researched, plus it has the hilariously ominous Brady picture on top. I got a chuckle when reading that he thinks every instance of government assistance is welfare…UNLESS it’s for businesses. Self-serving, anyone?

Comment by jonbtuba Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 1:59 pm
Mea culpa … I replied before refreshing to see the new Kirk video Rich added.

The Kirk video is simpler, more to the point … and “garbage” or not, effective.

Comment by ShadyBillBrady Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 2:01 pm
Oops…forgot. The rating was for the site. The video gets an A as well.

Comment by jonbtuba Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 2:01 pm
I would give the site an B+. It does a good job of informing people who Bill Brady really is, and, regardless of your justified frustrations with Quinn, what a “protest” vote for Brady would really mean.

That being said, I echo others that point out that people need to actually see the site. The casual voter is not going to seek this out. What is the plan for Quinn and his backers actually get eyes on this info? I hope they don’t think it will go viral and spread like wildfire.

Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 2:08 pm
Seriously boring. I couldn’t get through 1.5 minutes of either. Boring.

Comment by fan of cap fax Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 2:14 pm
Site is a C-. I grade on a curve. It’s basically ok but nobody reads those blocks of text under each issue. You need to have a short phrase on each that will leave a casual viewer with an impression on these things. In the absence of that, it doesn’t have much impact.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 2:21 pm
The video is long but you can see where they will break it up into targeted commercials. It’s done well and if they have the money to get the message out he can kiss the suburban female vote goodbye.

I give both the website and video an A, I don’t agree with everything but as a far as a campaign piece goes… it’s darn good.

I also think the website could take off pretty well. Remember all you have to do is go to the website page that is your targeted concern and send that link to your friends and family… which I’m sure a lot of women will do. He has a lot of baggage in that department and a lot of explaining to do.

Comment by Ahoy Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 2:38 pm
this sire is GREAT. If this keeps getting updated with the crazy shenanigans Bill Brady does, I can see it being a big factor in the race. It must be hard to keep up with the shady things he does.

Grade: A

Comment by illinoise Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 2:54 pm
I liked the Brady piece. My goodness he has had some wacky votes. That’s gonna catch up with him…

Comment by Mongo Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 3:11 pm
The anti-Brady site is solid. However, not to nitpick, but they spell “anti-discrimination” wrong in the video.

Comment by T Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 3:14 pm
The Brady video should be chopped up into 45 second installments.

And nothing against volunteers, but hire professional actors next time.

The Kirk add is excellent.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 3:16 pm
I’m surprised Quinn let Brady have a couple weeks of TV in Chicago without an answer. Videos are real small potatoes.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 3:23 pm
==Well, I’m biased, so I still like my own website better.==

LOL, Shady, isn’t that what this whole thing is about?

Comment by Watcher Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 3:29 pm
And @Chicago Cynic

You define yourself as someone who will never trust anything in Illinois politics. yet you argue against none of the content on the site, only the design.

so do you agree with the issues posed on the site?

Comment by illinoise Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 4:07 pm
Wonder how many postings here are planned follow-up postings to the video & that they really know of the substance of what was in the video. Who were those people in the video? Did they all have run in’s with Brady or conduct the research ? Secondly, though Brady has probably made[ in fact I’m sure of it} some not so really great votes in his political life, got on to some pretty whacky ideas ; it would be interesting to know the content from the bills they refer to, who else voted against them & the legislative intent of those bills. Some of these bills might have been just worthless . As to the video it just rambles on & that ominus music is a bit much too. Not much a choice from either side is there, Democrat or Republican. Democrats broke the state & Republicans {according to the video} are finishing things off.

Comment by anno--mus Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 5:36 pm
So, if I could sum up the anti-Bill Brady website, I would say: PERFECT!

Well… perfect for the mongoloids that will be voting democrat anyway….

That website really, truly convinced me that Bill Brady is libertarian minded, economically and socially. He voted against intrusive bans on cell phones while driving, voted against taking away the right to a secret vote for unionization, voted for conceal and carry, pledged to end the bankrupt, corrupt Allkids program, voted for school vouchers multiple times… I mean, I could go on all day.

Truly a libertarian I be votin’ for!

Comment by Heartless Libertarian Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 5:47 pm
- Truly a libertarian I be votin’ for! -

Sure, because libertarians don’t support gay marriage and the right to choose. You know, you’re right, I think Brady is a heartless libertarian, aka republican.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 6:03 pm
illinoise,

When did I define myself as “someone who will never trust anything in Illinois politics.” That’s absurd. I’ve never said that because I don’t believe that.

As to the site, Rich asked us to rate the site. As a communications pro, I evaluated it based on its ability to persuasively communicate. That’s the point of any political site, right?

The Brady record is such a target rich environment for effective political persuasion, but it has to be delivered quickly and powerfully.

Remember, the average visitor will spend 30-90 seconds on the site before moving on. You often have only one chance to persuade the persuadable. This web site misses the mark on that front and PQ has failed to do anything similar to define Brady.

As I said, C-

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 6:12 pm
Oh, and everyone on this site knows I’m not an Alexi fan, but that’s a very good video by his campaign. I give it an A-

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 6:15 pm
Brady has been up on the Networks and Cable News with paid media for over a week which Quinn doesn’t seem to have the money to respond too. Now we see the DGA doesn’t think Quinn’s campaign is worth the money to run the media against Brady. All I can say about the website is its the same old lame twisted political attacks you see from those that have been in office to long and have run this state into the ground.

Comment by Yeahright Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 6:15 pm
“Well… perfect for the mongoloids that will be voting democrat anyway….”

Can this comment be taken down? It is an offensive term used to describe people with Down Syndrome.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/mongoloid

Comment by wise guy Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 6:26 pm
Don’t you think the DGA video is about as much as they’re going to do for Quinn ? Quinn is losing & they know it just because of what’s goung on in Illinois & he hasn’t done anything of substance to slow it down. Quinn doesn’t have any cash & can’t wage a battle against Brady. Brady’s group apparently has a little cash right now but isn’t to well oiled. From all indications the campaign management isn’t too good. Rumors Clarke has left the campaign. Haven’t heard anything out of Plummer lately. Maybe they finally sent him to visit “Auntie” till after the election.

Comment by anno--mus Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 7:02 pm
Chicago Cynic,

Are you, or are you not, a cynic? Change your name if it doesn’t fit your description.

And yes, Rich did ask us to rate the site. The design isn’t perfect but I think everything is laid out fine. I get the info I need (but I’m no communications expert). The policies, however, are more important to me than whether there is too much text under a header.

Comment by illinoise Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 7:24 pm
illinoise, you’re new here right?

Spend more than five seconds here, or at least make a couple of original comments, before you talk about or make assumptions about anyone else’s nickname. And don’t try to debate CC, he’ll eat your lunch everytime.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 9:03 pm
The DGA ad is a joke. (Actually, I couldn’t stop laughing as more and more actors posing as “real voters” kept squinting more and more to read the scripts.) More like it and Brady is a shoe in.

Comment by Conservative Republican Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 10:22 pm
The Quotes section is very well-done. I think one great benefit to a site like this is that as the campaign heats up reporters who are looking for background on simple “Voters’ Concerns About Brady” pieces will have convenient one=stop shopping for their research. That seems obvious, but really shouldn’t be underrated.

Comment by cflly Tuesday, Jun 1, 10 @ 11:36 pm
I am a strong democrat and couldn’t listen to all of the Brady video….too much information. I don’t think throwing the kitchen sink at Brady will work, not with Illinois’s current financial crisis.

Comment by Louis Howe Wednesday, Jun 2, 10 @ 6:45 am
It is a well done site. That said I have come to really despise the politics and politicians in this state.

Comment by wondering Wednesday, Jun 2, 10 @ 8:04 am