Let's Get Political
Judy Kratochvil
Student, DePaul University
Chicago
Squidoo: What brought you to Squidoo?
Judy: I was doing a web search for free web sites, wikis and blogs, and I ran across Squidoo. I have tried several free services, and I find Squidoo the best for focusing on a single subject and having a network of related subjects without having to place everything on my web site. I think that Squidoo offers a wonderful way for people with special interests to communicate.
S: How did you decide what to make your lenses about?
J: I transformed my interest in communicating my enthusiasm for Lindsey Graham, whom I admire greatly. I also take the issues that he and I stand for and dissect them. I put out information that I am sure people aren't aware of because we get only 20- to 30-second advertisements that do not tell people much about the policies.
S: Why do you admire Graham?
J: He has served our country for most of his adult life, and he stands up and states his disagreements with the administration and fights for his position. Many of his colleagues on both sides give in. I also have a great deal of admiration for those who serve in the military. In his other job, Graham is a colonel and sits on the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals.
Graham has accomplished all of what I wish to be able to accomplish in life. Also, I have never seen someone who enjoys his job so much -- and is so willing to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to solve the nation's pressing problems and make good policy.
S: You seem like a really strong supporter. Do you work or volunteer for the senator?
J: I wish I was an intern for Senator Graham. I live in Illinois and intern for the Cook County Republican Party. I hope to move to South Carolina after I graduate to work for Senator Graham in 2008.
S: Do you maintain a web site or blog?
J: I maintian a web site called the Graham Gazette, a wiki that functions like a blog so people can comment. That's where I post my opinion pieces and letters that I write.
S: What have you done with your lenses that you can't do elsewhere?
J: I can microfocus the lens on a particular issue or bill and keep it contained. I can feature things I write like I did in my Lindsey Graham lens with a module called Tributes that highlights reasons why I support him.
I had considered trying to highlight certain things on other sites or blogs, but Squidoo lets me do that quickly and easily. I like that I can either use HTML coding myself or just put in links and descriptions.
S: What potential do you think Squidoo offers political candidates and officials?
J: I think Squidoo has great potential for political candidates and elected officials because they can use it to highlight campaign themes or major legislation. They can also use it as a way to connect with their constituency. It's a great tool for grassroots supporters because anyone can use it.
S: Have you taken any cues from other lenses so far?
J: I originally modeled my Lindsey Graham lens after the Russ Feingold for President in 2008 lens.
S: Once you've published a lens, what do you do with it?
J: I decide what to change and how to better organize it. I may add things based on what I see in other lenses. I may create a lensroll. I always link it to my web site.
S: Have you encouraged other Graham supporters or political activists to make lenses?
J: I encourage supporters of all candidates and ideas to make lenses. It's a unique way to have a political conversation. In fact, I am on the look out for a person who is as excited about Jim DeMint as I am about Lindsey Graham. I would like to see a lens on Jim DeMint partially because the two are often on the opposite ends of policy debates.
I also encourage those who are issue-based activists to make lenses to share resources about the topic. While my lenses are focused on the positions of a particular person, it would be nice to see something about the topics in general. It is my personality to drill into a particular topic from as narrow an angle as possible.
