Campaign websites for US presidents can live on indefinitely, even for candidates who were not elected. The 4president.org website archives media memorabilia dating back to the 1960 presidential election and includes general campaign information, a Twitter feed, and TV ads. Prior to 1996, presidential campaigns had no online presence. The internet’s role in presidential elections has since expanded, with candidates using social media to communicate directly with voters.
There are term limits for US presidents: They can only serve a maximum of two terms, or eight years. But their campaign websites can live forever on the Internet, and even presidential candidates who weren’t elected can have their campaign promises immortalized online. Take the 1996 campaign of Republican candidates Bob Dole and Jack Kemp. Their campaign website is still active, two decades after losing to the Democratic ticket of Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Who keeps these outdated campaign websites alive? They are part of the educational site 4president.org, which has archived media memorabilia dating back to the 1960 presidential election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. The site includes general campaign information for each election, a Twitter feed, and a sample of TV ads. Prior to the 1996 election, presidential campaigns lacked an online presence.
Presidential politics, 1996 style:
On his 1996 website, Bob Dole extolled the potential of interactive media to enable “American citizens to express their ideas, enhance individual freedom, and create and engage in electronic commerce.”
The Bill Clinton/Al Gore site is a little more sophisticated, with more links and even some primitive audio.
The Internet’s role in presidential elections continues to expand. In 2012, candidates actually used social media to communicate directly with voters, discuss their political views, ask for campaign donations, and support a rally.
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