Open letter to DU Admins

[welshTerrier2]

DU's "Lobby" is currently hosting an ad for Sherrod Brown for US Senate ...

Brown's candidacy has been the source of considerable controversy on DU ... some feel that his decision to run was a slap in the face to another popular Democrat, Paul Hackett ...

I have no position on this issue but wanted to understand what criteria, if any, will be used on DU when a Democratic candidate wants to advertise here? will all ads from Democrats be accepted?

[Inland]

1. I say take the money.

Anyone that wants to campaign, or buy an ad for, some other candidate remains free to do so.

Otherwise, we'll be trying to run a DU primary just for ad space.

[welshTerrier2]

2. on what basis?

will it be first come, first served?

and who gets the "prime real estate" on the website ??

[Inland]

3. Same way all other ads are handled.

I assume that anyone buys a banner for a discrete period of time. Either DU accepts their offer or waits for more money from someone else. I would leave it all at the level of a business decision without any discrimination whatsoever.

As far as I'm concerned, the republicans and the KKK can come spend money to support the site by taking out an ad. It would be a hoot.

[welshTerrier2]

4. republicans and KKK ???

you mean "we'll help you spread your message for a buck" ???

hmmmmm ... no thanks ...

no way will that ever happen on DU ...

[Inland]

10. If they want to waste their money......

It would go over as well as a troll in the threads, and yet, DU would get money for it.

[KoKo]

15. You think it's a good idea to accept money from KKK and Repugs for $$$$'s?

On a "Democratic" Site? :eyes:

[Inland]

16. I think money is good.

The site will still be democratic. Yes, theoretically, I'd take it.

[liberalnurse]

5. I agree.....I'm from Ohio and in all

honesty, will campaign for Hackett. I support the advertising and think DU is an excellent venue for Democratic candidates.

[necso]

6. The "Support our Advertisers"

above the ad is ambiguous in actual context.

Perhaps the "Buy Premium Ad" (repeated) is enough.

[Skinner]

13. Actually, this raises a good point.

The text "Support our Advertisers" is ambiguous, and may make it seem that we are telling members to provide political support to candidates. We have decided to change the text to read "Paid Advertisements."

As for Sherrod Brown advertising here, that was the choice of his campaign. If Paul Hackett wishes to advertise here, he is welcome to do so, and we will gladly accept his ads as well. It all helps cover the DU bottom line.

[KoKo]

14. Thanks Skinner, for changing the text to "Paid Advertisements."

It was confusing before.

[welshTerrier2]

17. "Support our Advertisers" occurs more than once in the Lobby...

Skinner, thanks for focussing on this issue ...

just fyi, there is a second occurrence of "support our advertisers" that's still on the "lobby" page ... it's further down on the right ...

[Skinner]

18. Click the reload/refresh button on your browser.

That will fix the problem.

[welshTerrier2]

19. you got it ...

i was caching the page ... thanks ...

[demnan]

7. It might be a good idea

to have a qualifying statement about all advertisements. Saying they do not represent the views of DU admins or members. That should be sufficient.

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

9. Just what I was thinking, as it does stand out when we pass by or

land on that page.

[Inland]

12. Yep, something like that would be a good idea. nt

[second edition]

8. Doen't bother me. I'm sure they would let Hackett advertize here too! n/t

[MaineDem]

11. Deleted - my mistake

Sorry...I was thinking of the Kaine ad.

[AntiCoup2K4]

20. I know nothing of Sherrod Brown, but has anybody noticed.....

....The guy looks like he could be Terry McAuliffe's little brother. Please tell me there's no relation. Not that I have a vote in Ohio, but the McUseless gang is something this party does not need to see any more of.

[1932]

21. Guilt by resemblance?

[AntiCoup2K4]

22. Just asking a question

As I said, I don't have a vote in Ohio anyway. But I believe it would really suck if a perfectly good candidate like Paul Hackett was thrown aside for another puppet of Clinton Inc. Which any relative of Terry McUseless presumably would be.

[1932]

23. And you think this might happen because Brown has same hairstyle

as McAuliffe?

[AntiCoup2K4]

25. Nah, the hairstyle's really not that close.

It's the face.

So what's your point anyway? Or are you just arguing out of Monday boredom?

[1932]

26. My point:

I was just making a joke in post 21, but you replied, so I replied to your reply.

I have not point really. I just thought "guilt by resemblance" was a funny reply to your post.

[AntiCoup2K4]

29. OK then

It's all good.

[OzarkDem]

27. No, he isn't

Sherrod is an Ohio native. He grew up around Mansfield, OH, I think. His dad, Charlie Brown, was a country doctor, which is why Sherrod's main issue is health care. His sharp attacks in past years on pharma companies, price fixing, anti-competitive practices, etc. put him in a completely different league than McAuliffe. He's also pro-labor, anti-NAFTA and anti-CAFTA. Not a DLC Dem by a long shot.

[AntiCoup2K4]

28. Thanks!

That's exactly the answer I was hoping to hear :)

Seriously though, his dad was named Charlie Brown??

[NVMojo]

24. wow! must edit free speech!

[ABaker]

30. I don't think

DU should accept any ads from any politicians. It compromises our independence.