Discussion of Women's Issues in the 1996 Internet Campaign

ABSTRACT

This study examines the discussion of women's issues on the Web pages of all major-party candidates for the U.S. Senate in 1996. Although the amount of discussion of women's issues is low, the amount does represent a modest increase over that historically contained in TV ads. Candidates of both parties are inclined to discuss abortion on their home pages-typically articulating clear-cut positions. Discussion of women's issues other than abortion is characterized by low specificity and is undertaken almost entirely by Democratic candidates. We conclude that Internet technology introduces new factors into campaigning which can increase the incentives for the discussion of women's issues by candidates.