The Libertarian Party’s Web site has been redesigned and relaunched. We heard promises from Bill Redpath that a new design was in the works during the Chairman’s debate in Denver. Click here to have a look at the freshly redesigned layout.
What’s new?
The site was clearly done or heavily influenced by the folks who created Bob Barr’s presidential campaign site. Straight down to the fundraising widget on the front page and identical pictures of Barr in the upper left corner of both sites.
The site shows a map that’s filling in as ballot access is obtained in each state. So far, the LP has lines in 29 states.
The drop-down navigation bar gives people access to just about everything they’d want to look at right from the homepage. Each state party’s page is linked to, for example.
Another thing that I liked quite a bit, but I suspect others many have an issue with, is the slogan at the top of each page. “The Party of Principle” is still the focal point, but below it is the line “Smaller Government – Lower Taxes – More Freedom” – which sounds like a Harry Browne speech. I think it’s the perfect pitch line to voters and potential members, but those who believe in no taxes and complete freedom will probably think it’s some scheme to soften the party’s message.
Overall, it’s a very nice redesign that I think was long overdue for the Libertarians. They now have, quite easily, the most functional and best looking Web site of any third party in the United States.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Steve Perkins // Jun 9, 2008 at 9:45 am
Yeah, this had been up for awhile at “http://beta.lp.org”. I thought about posting it over at LFV, but I didn’t want hear all the conspiracy stuff with the LP adopting http://www.bobbarr2008.com‘s look and feel long before Denver.
2 Thomas L. Knapp // Jun 9, 2008 at 12:31 pm
The “smaller government – lower taxes – less freedom” line isn’t new. Been around (and been complained about) for a couple of years at least.
I’ve designed enough butt-ugly web sites to know one when I see one. I have to wonder how much the LP coughed up to have a reasonably attractive web site remodeled to look like ass.
3 G.E. // Jun 9, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Steve – Did they have Bob Barr’s picture on the Beta site?
I guess I’m 0nly half joking when I ask.
4 George Donnelly // Jun 9, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I think the new site looks decent. Could be better, but it’s better than the old one.
Why are so many LPers so negative and snappy? I don’t get it.
5 Fred Church Ortiz // Jun 9, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I’m not extraordinarily impressed, but I do think it’s an improvement. I’ll have to spend some quality time with it to see if it’s any easier to get around.
6 paulie cannoli // Jun 9, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I thought about posting it over at LFV, but I didn’t want hear all the conspiracy stuff with the LP adopting http://www.bobbarr2008.com’s look and feel long before Denver.
Funny, I thought it looks like Chuck Baldwin’s site? Actually, the site design is pretty good, better than the last version IMO. It was also used by Ron Paul.
It’s interesting how closely Bob Barr is being branded with LP National. When Badnarik ran, the website barely mentioned it – and if I remember correctly, still had Harry Browne as the candidate months after the nomination.
7 paulie cannoli // Jun 9, 2008 at 4:00 pm
By the way, please do post it on LFV. It’s not meant to be a radicals-only site. In fact, I asked Brian Holtz to post there, and am trying to get Steve Gordon to come back. FYI it was started by a reformer.
8 Peter Orvetti // Jun 11, 2008 at 6:39 am
I kinda like the new site. It looks a bit bloggy on the front page though — needs a bit more graphic enticement.
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