COMMENTS ON THE FEDERAL ELECTION PROJECT, AND OTHER POLITICAL
ISSUES...

     On the topic of the NCF Federal Election Project, one participant
felt that one could expand the project by getting the local newspaper
to print the postings from the FreeNet - by doing so the politicians
would be able to expand their audience.  He saw the FreeNet as another
opportunity for political parties to convey their messages.  It was
felt that electronic access to candidates was inevitable and those
politicians that took advantage of this communications means would
have an advantage in the long-run.

     Julie Chahal, who has been working on this project,discussed some
of the candidates reactions to this project - they wanted to avoid
written records of their statements and did not want to lose the power
of "misquotes"; fringe parties have been very keen, while the
mainstream parties have resisted the most because they had the most to
lose. 

     Another participant brought up the issue that over an electronic
medium you lose the charisma/ the image of the candidate. Candidates
often rely on the entire package, not just their words.  As she
mentioned, the first person hired for damage control is an image
consultant.

     Some people in the group thought this forum might be more useful
as a debate between national parties - a way of distributing national
level discussions/party positions.  Others were concerned that the
candidates may get lost in the discussions, it may end up being
debates between candidates' supporters.  A suggestion was made that it
might be more useful to make all-candidates meetings available
electronically in real-time.