text_combined: owen byrne owenpermafrostnet spamassassin hurting democracy owen httpwwwbayareacommldmercurynewsnewsopinion3900215htm internet level political playing field mike mccurry larry purpuro many months people across country experience one great recurring features american democracy shopping malls factory floors church socials even front stoops approached individuals want represent us public office chances high wont know personally walk us offer handshake flier ask votes technology affecting every area communication begun affect way political candidates communicate voters years gop gubernatorial primary california secretary state bill jones faced betterfunded candidates acquired email addresses million potential california voters sent unsolicited email asking support day might chosen traditional expensive methods contacting voters direct mail radio spots tv ads spent 2 cents per message instead 35 cents per message direct mail another medium jones chosen direct mail radio tv communication would equally unsolicited defined email world voters would opted receive campaign information jones channels response jones email effort however swift intense lambasted antispam advocates media coverage almost entirely negative fair jones tactics could refined used lessthanperfect list standardpractice paid disclaimer message detractors however attacked tactical miscues email sent unsolicited fact jones online campaign may visible asset era cynicism toward money politics money typically spent unsolicited communication mediums jones tried level playing field one likes commercial spam irrelevant untargeted highly intrusive even offensive sophisticated society time differentiate commercial spam different unsolicited email sent political candidates voters debate particularly relevant light legislation congress would constitute first federal law directly address spam believe email intrusive direct mail telemarketing tv advertising comes politicians seeking reach voters simple link good email campaigns allows recipients opt future mailings direct mail takes least phone call stamp taken list viewers must repeatedly endure tv ads candidate lacks large campaign war chest use internet provide constituents information better prepare perform civic duty casting educated votes 60 percent potential voters country possessing email accounts makes sense political candidates use medium candidates might avoid tactical problems encountered jones campaign use technologies available today better ensure quality email lists target content specific recipient groups broader point remains political candidate sends voter email recipient choose delete message without opening unsubscribe list read even reply engage sender choice belong voter antispam advocates whose efforts better focused commercial email political candidates free communicate voters best let voters decide information mike mccurry former press secretary president clinton ceo advocacy management communications software company larry purpuro former republican national committee deputy chief staff founder president political emarketing firm written los angeles times httpxentcommailmanlistinfofork thu 22 aug 2002 123947 0300 case spam