DeMint taps into power of Web

By Robert Behre

The Post and Courier

Sunday, March 23, 2008

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint is using the Internet more than ever — perhaps more than any other Senator — to mobilize voters across the country behind some of his biggest issues, such as eliminating earmarks and strengthening the border.

He knows his ability to twist arms under the Capitol dome is often limited, but if he can craft a suitable message and spread it all over the Web, then eventually bloggers, talk radio hosts and the mainstream media will get the word out in a way DeMint never could before.

DeMint said he fully understood the Web’s power last year, when the odds were stacked against him after President Bush and Congressional leaders announced their immigration compromise.

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New videos from your UTPL team

Completethefencenow.com

Sen. Jim DeMint announced today the release of a new grassroots website for the “Complete the Fence Act” called www.completethefencenow.com. The website features a two minute video about the need for the border fence titled “700 Miles of Necessity” and has a list of border fence facts and links for visitors interested in blogging, writing a letter to the editor or telling friends and family about the bill.

“Immigration reform is a critical issue for our nation that cannot be ignored,” said Sen. DeMint. “This debate will only be won if the voices of concerned Americans are heard. I want this website to serve as a resource for people looking to get this important information out to others.”

Sen. DeMint hopes the video will raise public awareness of the critical need for actually completing the fence along our border with Mexico and other members of the Senate will realize this issue is about more than immigration.

“I think it is important for people to realize the urgent need for completing a security fence along the Mexican border,” said Sen. DeMint said. “It’s not just an immigration issue. This bill also addresses our nation’s drug problem, human trafficking, and the very real threat of terrorism.”

The “Complete the Fence Act” is part of 14 separate pieces of legislation intended to address the immigration problem. Sen. DeMint wants the Senate to take immediate action on this bill due to the serious national security issues stemming from our failure to complete the fence.

“We can’t sit around and wait for Congress to agree on every single detail of our immigration policy while our borders remain unsecured,” he said. “Americans clearly see the necessity for building the fence. It’s time we quit talking and start building.”

Tom Young for House

Today, State House District 81 candidate Tom Young announced the
official launch of his new campaign website www.youngforhouse.com. The
website is highly interactive and will feature a blog highlighting Tom
Young’s “Plan for Palmetto Progress”.“Our state is facing many challenges, and I want to share my plan for
addressing these issues directly with the voters” said Young. “I think it’s
important for people to learn about where the candidates in this race stand
on key issues. If they want to know where I stand on these issues, they can
visit www.youngforhouse.com to find out.”

The website features sections detailing his “Plan for Palmetto Progress”,
and his “Clean Campaign, Clean Government Pledge”. These sections include
Young’s ideas for tackling problems like unemployment, access to health
insurance , illegal immigration, seniors issues, and education as well as
Young’s commitment to running a clean campaign during this election. “I’m
running for State House because our government needs change. This website
allows voters to see exactly how I plan to accomplish this,” said Young.

Young also hopes the website will lead to increased interaction with voters
and that people visiting the website will use it to share their thoughts and
ideas about legislation with him. “Serving in the State House is about
listening to people’s concerns, and then taking those concerns to Columbia,”
said Young. “I hope people will share their own thoughts and ideas by using
the website to contact me.”