Time again for our Website of the Week, when we showcase interesting and innovative online destinations.
In an election year, you can get a lot of news about the issues and candidates here on VOA. But frankly, we can't do the job that the specialists do. And when it comes to politics and governing, two of the top names in political journalism have teamed up to produce our Website of the Week. CampaignNetwork.org is a combined project of the public affairs cable TV network C-SPAN and the authoritative Washington publisher, Congressional Quarterly, CQ.
C-SPAN political editor Steve Scully says the website combines the nonpartisan analysis of CQ's staff with C-SPAN's comprehensive television record of campaign events.
SCULLY: "What we do best is event coverage and also long form interviews. So that's what we're able to do, and that's what we do best. CQ is best at coming up with their own analysis and then distilling through all of that what they think is going to happen in this election. And that's why we feel that it's really the best of both worlds."
The busy but well-organized CampaignNetwork homepage offers links to videos of candidate ads, press conferences, debates and other events, articles from CQ analyzing the ongoing campaign, and an interactive map profiling each of the Senate, House of Representatives and state governor races.
Steve Scully says the site represents the latest in a series of technological developments that have changed the face of the American political process. It's one place where you can see videos of candidates in different settings — giving speeches, debating their opponents — all complete and unedited.
SCULLY: "We probably average a couple of events in [each of] the most competitive Senate and House races, plus the debates, plus the Washington Journal programs that we do every day focusing on different issues in this campaign. And you can just watch it — kind of what I call our video on demand, online."
There are many domestic issues this year, but Scully says there's a lot here to interest international visitors, including a close look at the ever-changing nature of the American political process.
SCULLY: "I think anyone who logs on to CampaignNetwork.org anywhere in the world will have a window onto the American political process. This has been a very negative campaign, as are most campaigns. But by watching the debates and watching the ads, you're able to fully understand who is saying what, and why. This election is, more than anything else, about the war in Iraq, and the Bush administration, and the Republicans in the House and the Senate. It is as simple as that."
C-SPAN's Steve Scully says the site will remain active after the election, looking ahead to the 2008 presidential vote. Meantime, you can see the last frantic days of this year's campaign at CampaignNetwork.org, or get the link from our site, voanews.com.