This is so bad ....
I am beside myself on how bad the official website has become http://www.ronpaul2008.com/ I mean can you believe some of the stuff these guys got on there? How are new supporters gonna be wowed when the first thing they see is:
1. A long post from Ron himself emphasizing that the disappointing vote in NH was probably correct. The post takes up most of the home page. Not exactly a great first impression for a first time viewer, to say the least.
2. A box with 5 state party deadlines - 3 of which have already gone by. Way to stay on the ball guys.
3. A statement issued by Ron denying racist charges. Jeez, not exactly the sort of thing that a new potential supporter is gonna wanna see. Come on, put these sort of posts on second or third pages. This isn't brain surgery.
4. Oh ... what's this ... finally a video - "Ron Paul Primary Party" ... click ... what the heck - it sends me to another part of the page - and no video. So I click "back" - now I exit the site altogether. Jeez, this would be comical if it weren't so freaking depressing.
5. Ok, finally, here's some videos under YouTube video network. Click on FEATURED video. First thing that comes up is tote board
showing Ron's disappointing 5th place finish in NH. Next we see the backs of Ron's security as they walk down a corrider with Mr. and Mrs. Paul and into an elevator. No one's talking or anything. Jeez, this is snoozeville city people. Now we're exiting the elevator going down more corridors and still no one's said a word. We're more than a minute into his FEATURED VIDEO for crying out loud. Ok, now we're walking into the room with many many enthusiastic Paul supporters cheering. Still no one is actually speaking. Finally more than 2 minutes into the video, Paul is introduced. Nearly 3 minutes in Ron actually starts speaking. How many first time viewers are gonna make it this far? Unbelievable.
6. Ok, let's check out some other videos from the YouTube network. First one is a 30 second TV ad. ZZZZZ. Next one says Carl Cameron interviews Paul from 4 months ago. Cameron talks for a full minute before Paul appears. Pathetic. Another video has Vicente Fox on Larry King. No Paul in video at all. Not even mentioned!. This is absolutely unbelievable.
7. Scroll thru bunch more videos - mostly campaign ads. Yeah, just what I wanna do to find out more about a candidate. Go on his site to watch the ads I can watch on TV. Finally get to the last video - A New Hope. One of the best videos made about the Doctor and it's buried at the very bottom of his video list. Guaranteed no new supporter is ever gonna make it that far before he's bored to tears. I just wanna cry. All the work we volunteers are doing, and we send them to this pathetic site? God help us.
The biggest impediment to the campaign
is the official campaign.
Not the first time in American politics that a campaign needed to be overhauled in midstream. This is one of those situations. Either Ron steps up and takes it to the next level without these dufusses or he doesn't.
Three days scheduled in Nevada with one event each day. Are you kidding me? Day one, Pahrump, daye two, Reno, day three, Las Vegas. Of course, Pahrump is right next to Vegas, so that's a travel waste of time. Not hitting Mesquite, where there's an organized meet up group, Ely, Eureka, Henderson, etc. the other population centers.
Why go on about it. A moment in history snatched away by people not up to the task.
Good call
And I noticed also that the blog section is lame too. It introduces the new communications and marketing guy. He is excited to start the new blog section then there are several blogs, but the comments have been turned off. Huh?
Drop them an email. Sometimes the campaign staff gets under my skin with their performance.
This is not a bash, it's constructive criticism and concern for our campaign.
Thanks
This thread is doing what I intended it to do
To those posters who are whining about my whining (just a little bit of irony there, no?), my thread seems to be doing exactly what I intended. It has gotten many people calling and/or emailing the campaign to do something about the official website. The email that I sent HQ about the site problems, by itself, would undoubtedly have had very little effect. Let's see if anything happens now.
To those posters who've backed me up and sent emails and/or alternate suggestions, I thank you profusely. Running a winning campaign isn't all about cheerleading. Constructive criticism is essential for mistakes to be corrected. Believe me, I give out my share of attaboys, but when I see something being done wrong, I'll be damned if I'm gonna sit here silently and let it turn away thousands of potential new supporters.
I take my marching orders from the Constitution!
I take my marching orders from the Constitution!
Hmm..
I noticed over 3300 NEW DONORS THIS WEEK!!
Over 200 NEW DONORS TODAY!!!
I sent your message to HQ via contact - website
With 20 million, they certainly can afford to pay someone to update the web site every day. They should have a webmaster link, so that supporters can communicate with him/her.
glmeadors
I'd say overall HQ doesn't seem to have a lot of touch
with us. They should! There are a lot of good ideas and creative talent in the grassroots. They seem to need that. The main web page should be very dynamic, ever changing, exciting, attractive. It's none of that!!!
JB
"You take the blue pill and the story ends. You wake in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill and you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes. -- all I am offering is the truth, nothing more."
I don't know about HQ being all that out of touch...
I know they seem to be, but we asked for some daily updates and they hired someone to do a daily blog on the website and there have been more messages from the campaign posted. I agree the website needs some changes but they do seem to be listening.
Another point of support to show they have been listening more (makes me feel good too)...
the other day after the Kirchick article came out, he did an interview on NPR, someone on this website posted the info about the interview they did so I checked and they had indeed done an interview with Kirchick that morning about the article. I immediately called HQ and told the person on the phone about the interview, they weren't familiar with the situation, so I asked to speak with someone who was. I can't remember who I talked to but they were very thankful that I called them and notified them of the interview with Kirchick and when CNN did the report on the article later in the day, they had Dr. Paul ready to go with an interview so he could present the true facts. I have NO idea if my call helped the campaign have a chance to respond to the allegations (in my small mind I like to think that it did) but if does show if you do call HQ (or write I would imagine) that they do listen and will let you talk to people higher up if need be.
website
The website is constantly evolving and changing. Send them your feedback.
Valid points
I also called the Campaign about the official web page and their response was they don't have someone dedicated to keep it up-to-date. I was shocked! The main page is posted EVERYWHERE in the Campaign. Ron Paul says himself that the internet is the most important media vehicle in his candidacy and they don't have someone dedicated to it??!!!
We sent them lots of money and I maxed out and spend time on the campaign trail. I went to Boston for the Tea Party, did an interview for some local TV, so I have all the right to be dissatisfied! Sometimes I wonder where their priorities are. RP's candidacy would be 100% dead in the water had it not been for the internet!
I know some people close to RP read the DailyPaul. If someone reads this thread, please, please, do something!!! Every little bit counts and the main web site is not just little!!!
PS: I loved the new Ron Paul aggressiveness!!! Go Ron Paul, beat them all down to a pulp! They are only dead horses for Hillary to chew up. But she won't chew you up and they're terrified!!!
JB
"You take the blue pill and the story ends. You wake in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill and you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes. -- all I am offering is the truth, nothing more."
You forgot to mention Ron Paul watching thoughtfully
the growing money pot.This is so stupid!
Then.... Get up off your
Then....
Get up off your butt, go out, and get people excited about Ron Paul!
Contact them
.
I understand your frustration, but writing about it here isn't the solution. Drop a note to the RP campaign.
It is mail@ronpaul2008.com
They read everything eventually !
Take heart, we have a fine candidate with a good message. The rest of it is small stuff, fixable. I think they're probably a little busy these days.
valid criticisms
You are so right about the official web site. It is extremely unexciting for the Ron Paul newcomer. Have you sent your suggestions, in a constructive manner, to the official campaign? Maybe they won't read your message, but you have to try. As a matter of fact, I just sent them a brief message summarizing this criticism and pointed them back to this thread. I hope they take notice and do something.
I had this same negative reaction to the official site a long, long time ago (and have since sort of forgotten about it), and I've been referring new people to his MySpace page (www.myspace.com/RonPaul2008) because it's a lot more exciting, especially with all the positive comments from supporters.
ENOUGH WITH THE GRIPING.
You gripe because Ron Paul himself isn't paying enough attention to you...
Then you gripe because you don't like the WAY he responded to you.
Some of you gripe about everything and anything.
Write a letter to the campaign. Write a letter to Ron Paul.
Just quit griping about it here!
It is getting exhausting just being here anymore.
If anyone knows of another place in where people talk about Ron Paul and not GRIPE about him - please tell me where to go.
This is enough already. It is getting old and tiresome.
Quit whining and griping.
If you don't like it - tell the source of you problem about it.
Write HQ or Ron Paul. Quit crying about it here.
This is the place I send them
I send everyone new to Ron Paul Gateway at
http://ronpaulgw.googlepages.com/
I would send them here but there is so much negativity on the forums that I think new ppl would be turned off right away. The official site isn't up to speed. I've found this gateway to be pretty good for everyone.
Joe
WAAAAAAAAAA.........stop
WAAAAAAAAAA.........stop this! This serves NO good purpose here. Stop the gossip and tell the official campaign if you have a problem!
Tell the campaign!!??
For crying out loud, do you wanna know how many times I've told the campaign these thoughts? And I'm not the only one. The purpose for posting this here is to get enough people contacting the campaign that they actually do something about it.
I take my marching orders from the Constitution!
I take my marching orders from the Constitution!
good crit
I think you make some good points. The official site should not be a blog for the official campaign to make excuses and pretend that low %s in key states are victories. I support RP and will until he is done and will work hard for his ideas and ideals. I have been trying to talk to people about liberty for the last 15 years or so and think his message is too good to be showcased so poorly. I like the money ticker and the fact that it bounces you out to youtube and meetup etc. It just needs something to grab you. You have to have flash to see the money ticker so why not just open to a flash video where Dr. Paul lays it on the line and tells everyone what is at stake here.
Then fade to activist get out the vote links and issues.
I agree, the YouTube link is the best part of the site, but ...
... it's buried way down in the bottom left of the home page amongst about 13 other links. It sure doesn't jump out at you. Besides, you shouldn't have to click a link to see a video. One video should be prominently displayed at all times smack dab in the middle of the home page, and it absolutely must be a damn good one. Not some pathetic scene following people down dark corridors into elevators and whatever.
I take my marching orders from the Constitution!
I take my marching orders from the Constitution!
The new website is: http://wwwpaul2008.info
everyone should be providing to voters out there while we are canvasing:
http://paul2008.info
A single link to anyone and everyone with great information that can be shared from one website! This new website clears all the noise in the background - no blogs, no comments - just a million reasons Why Ron Paul should be President! Go Ron Paul!!
Freedom Fighter
Nice!
The initial text on the front page might be laid out in shorter segments to invite the lazy to brows parts of it here and there.
But overall it is a great collection of great info about the good doctor! HQ has everything to learn from this. Great work!
Very good, everybody
should know about this web page. Great job.
Multimedia extravaganza?
Some people actually go read the issues section...
I think you're worried too much.
This is the new website: http://paul2008.info
everyone should be providing to voters out there while we are canvasing:
http://paul2008.info
A single link to anyone and everyone with great information that can be shared from one website! This new website clears all the noise in the background - no blogs, no comments - just a million reasons Why Ron Paul should be President! Go Ron Paul!!
Freedom Fighter
paul2008.info
STOP DREAMING is our featured video???????????????????
Oh gosh, I love it.
That song and video makes my eyes water.
I'm going to play American Pie at my Election 2008 -Victory for Paul party in November.
This is the new website: http://paul2008.info
everyone should be providing to voters out there while we are canvasing:
http://paul2008.info
A single link to anyone and everyone with great information that can be shared from one website! This new website clears all the noise in the background - no blogs, no comments - just a million reasons Why Ron Paul should be President! Go Ron Paul!!
Freedom Fighter
Yes, change the font it is hard to read
thanks
glmeadors
Font
can you change the font to Arial? for the new sight
well if we didn't have so many damn cry babies here
Ron Paul wouldn't have to take valuable time to respond to every conspiracy theory that people here think up. I think it's a shame and yes it does potentially cause harm when new people visit the site. But what do you want the man to do, he's got thousands of people doing exactly what he does not want them to. They bitch that they don't hear enough from him. All I could read here was "WHY ISN'T THE OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN TELLING US ANYTHING ABOUT THE RECOUNT" as if silence wasn't enough to indicate it was a non-issue for the supporters to be worried about. Don't blame Ron Paul for this shit on his website that he must put out to calm the mass of crazies amongst us. Maybe now they will get it through their thick skulls.
Ron Paul 2008
I'm not blaming Ron, I'm blaming those in charge of his site.
If Ron feels compelled to respond to the "cry babies", then fine. Put his response on page 2 or something. Come on. Like I said in the original post, this isn't rocket science. Jeez. What are all these potential supporters gonna think after seeing this pathetic webpage?
I take my marching orders from the Constitution!
I take my marching orders from the Constitution!