Politics

Government Websites

Government offices establish websites for a number of reasons. As well as conveying information about officials and functions, they serve as conduits for policy debates. These “Big Four” are the most important:

• The White House - Want to know the President’s economic agenda? Need a biography of Dr. Jill Biden or a no nonsense break down of the Federal Government? This website is a magnificent depository of material. It is worth looking over at least once a week if you follow politics. Provides a link to the The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 also known as the Stimulus Bill.
• House of Representatives - This site offers a road map through the often byzantine world of House committees, over 400 representatives and all the legislative and political activity this large body encompasses. Review carefully. You will find some unexpected and useful information, including the nuts and bolts of lesson plans in “Kids in the House”.
• Senate - The advise and consent function of the Senate is just one reason that makes this site a must for those interested in politics. Everything from a copy of the Stimulus bill to a list of all individuals currently nominated for high level positions in the Executive branch is a click away. “The Virtual Reference Desk” is pure gold for student researchers.
• Supreme Court - While not part of the political process (the Supremes serve for life), Court decisions sometimes impact on politics (Gore vs. Bush 532 US98 2000). This site includes opinions, dockets, etc.

Party Websites

• Democratic National Committee - This site exists to advance the election of Democrats and to advance the Democratic Party agenda. It is unapologetically and unabashedly partisan.
• Republican National Committee - This site exists to advance the election of Republicans and to advance the Republican Party agenda. It is unapologetically and unabashedly partisan.

Polling and Statistical Analyses

• Pollster.com - This up-to-date, bipartisan site posts new polling information constantly. Polling information strengthens its tracking of popular opinion on many issues.
• RealClearPolitics - Decidedly Republican in slant, this site scrupulously tracks both national and state polls.
• Fivethirtyeight - This unabashedly progressive Democratic site is great fun. Maintained by baseball statistician Nate Silver, 538 applies weighted averages and statistical moxie to its daily reporting. Among the things Silver calculates are the possibility of prolonged economic downturns and the probable outcomes of recounts."

News

Print newspapers, journals and other organizations maintain excellent websites that gather together reams of information. In addition, web only sites have joined the arena of political reporting. Here are some of the best.

• CNN: Politics - CNN offers a breath of coverage that includes reporting, commentary, and internet access to breaking political news.
• New York Times: Politics - The New York Times site melds opinion and reporting in a number of multimedia formats. It offers almost real time coverage of political and policy debates.
• Politico - Available only as a web site, Politico is arguably the most web friendly site covering politics today. Every section is worth browsing, from 44, the daily diary covering President Obama, to the multimedia clips posted almost hourly.
• Times Union: Politics - The Times Union, based in Albany, is the best repository of reporting and commentary on New York state politics.
• Washington Post: Politics - Politics is the home town business of the Washington Post. This web site sets the bar for all things politics in the traditional news business.

Hard Facts and Raw Material

These sites are devoted to the unvarnished truth, with no ideological ax to grind.

• FactCheck.org - A nonpartisan organization, Fact Check exists only to correct the distortions that appear in political campaigns and policy campaigns. “Frequently Asked Questions”, a constantly updated investigation of unsubstantiated web based rumors, remains extremely timely.
• OpenSecrets.org - Money makes the world go around. This site culls campaign finance reports and tells who gave to whom. For example, did you know that 14850 (the Ithaca zip code) registers ten times the average amount of political contributions?

Blogs and Zines

Constantly updated, blogs are the information vehicle of choice for political junkies. Here are some of the best.

• Daily Kos - Unabashedly progressive, the Kossacks who follow this site bleed blue for the Democrats.
• Drudge Report - Definitely red, Matt Drudge made his name by breaking stories the mainstream press ignored. It provides constantly updated links to news, most of it political.
• Huffington Post - While this “internet newspaper” covers topics ranging from entertainment to the arts, politics provide its real focus. Very progressive, Huffington Post is the place to go for the information and stories that conservatives shun and progressives love.
• Talking Points Memo - This blog won a Polk Award for its reporting about the political motivation behind the firings of attorneys in the Justice Department. Proudly liberal, this blog/zine represents the future of progressive political journalism. The section of politics is superb.
• Return to Virtual Reference Collection

Last update: Wednesday, October 20, 2010