For Immediate Release: August 25, 2000
For more information: Bob Fertik, bob@democrats.com or 212-396-3457
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Democrats.com Launches First Internet Community for America's 100 Million Democrats
As the nation heads towards the traditional Labor Day campaign kickoff, Democrats.com is launching the first partisan Internet community for Democratic voters, candidates, and elected officials.
The launch was previewed with a "Hush-in on Privacy" at the Democratic convention in Los Angeles on August 16 that featured . Democratic leaders on privacy issues. "Internet privacy is a critical issue for voters in this election, and there is a profound difference between Democrats and Republicans," according to Democrats.com co-founder David Lytel, who was co-editor of the award-winning White House Web site in the first Clinton-Gore administration.
Democrats.com also announced its humorous "Ken Starr Awards," also known as "The Kennys," for the worst privacy violators. Recipients include the FBI, Doubleclick, Intel, Real Networks, Toysmart, the Republican Party, and Ken Starr himself. "Ken Starr was the worst privacy invader in American history, and after all the misery he put us through as a nation, it's time we had a laugh at his expense," said co-founder Bob Fertik, a consultant to political campaigns and progressive non-profits, and a founder of Women Leaders Online, the first feminist group created on the Internet.
Democrats.com will launch the first independent partisan daily news service available via the web and e-mail, and syndicated to Democratic sites around the country. "The corporate media is solidly Republican, and tried to drive President Clinton from office from the day he was elected. Democrats.com is the first news source that will represent the views of the majority of Americans rather than the corporate elite," Fertik said.
On the community side, Democrats.com offers a full range of community services including members-only discussions, home pages, and e-mail accounts, as well as in-depth political information. Democrats.com estimates its target audience at 100 million Americans who support the Democratic Party. It will eagerly compete with non-partisan sites like Politics.com and Vote.com. "If you are really interested in politics, you support one party or another. No one goes to a football game to root for the referee," Fertik said.
On the business side, Democrats.com sells Web sites and Internet advertising services to Democratic candidates and causes, including many of the top Congressional races. Democrats.com launched with $250,000 in funding from angel investors. Democrats.com has offices in New York City, Syracuse, and Washington DC.
