Below is an interview with Ali Akbar, a young guy who is passionate about the Republican cause and advancing the GOP online. You can follow him on twitter @aliakbar.
How old are you?
23 (too young to be taken seriously, too old to live like I did once upon a time.)
Where are you from?
I was born in Dallas. Spent my childhood in Washington (state). Adolescence and grew into an adult in Fort Worth, Texas. I'm a Texan with a tolerant yankee childhood. It's an understatement to leave Texas out, but I like to speak to my diversity.
You reside in Georgia now, what's it like?
Georgia probably can't be summed up - not for me - not if I want to maintain a political future. Ha. I'll say this much, it's like little brother to Texas. The tea is great here. These aren't beef people though, they much prefer their pork. I guess you do what you have to to survive. I like the pride they carry around here.
How was that Senate race?
Saxby shouldn't have had a run off. The blame lays solely with his voting record. There was a conscious effort to protest and throw him into a run off. It was a lesson many activists are wondering if it was learned. While Saxby's record greatly reflects my personal convictions - it's out of touch with Georgian voters. Not too much, but enough. I also wouldn't model the run-off for 2010 races. I have too much to say. The RNC, Saxby, and GAGOP all have some blame they are refusing to take. Something happened to accountability in the Republican Party. I fear it's the one thing that may keep me back -- may keep me from taking a seat at the table. It's quite reflective with many of the DC Republican web 2.0 guys too. Oops, I said too much. Guess that's another check gone? Ha.
How long have you been doing web/graphic design?
I've been web designing for at least 9 years now. Now to be fair, some of my early work is not worth looking at, however what really was back then?
Where do you draw most of your creative inspiration from?
I draw creative inspiration from my natural highs. I don't do coffee, I don't do energy drinks, I do life. When I'm enjoying myself personally and emotionally, I often find myself getting out the sketch book. I sketch before I open up any programs. I wouldn't call it art, but I can't shy away from clients who say "you're an artist." I also enjoy looking at other innovative designs on the web. Web design needs to largely be about how we present content. That's the mark I'd like to leave in the field (in the very distant future).
In your opinion, what is the single best Republican/Conservative website out there?
Wow. That's a tough one. Feel like I'm in the hot seat. Content? Design? Community? Content: The Next Right. TalkStraight.org (during the 2008 general cycle) Design: Republican Party of Florida. I love the work Taproot Creative and Jess3 do. Good stuff. Sometimes makes me wonder why I bother. Community: None.
Same question for Democrat/Liberal website?
Content: Lots of good stuff out there. Huffington Post - they way they present content, flash simple colors, and build for tomorrow is truly "good." It's not innovative or "great," but it is effective and they run a machine.
Other than politics and new media, what do you like to do?
I enjoy chocolate. I love a good debate. I'm a healthy skeptic - just take a look at my twitter stream @aliakbar (see how shamelessly I plugged myself?)
What websites/tools do you find are the most useful for you in your work?
Photoshop. Blackberry. Notepad++. Firefox. Skype. Google. Laptops (PC and Mac). Social Networks (you'd be surprised how much business I've generated from it). My bookmarks folder (where I draw inspiration from is huge). Any sites CSS related - I'm there. I love viewing galleries like webcreme.com or webdesignerwall.com
What web/graphic advice would you give to a start-up congressional campaign right now?
Don't settle. Lay out a plan that includes for some scability. Campaigns move fast - the web moves faster, and it can be relentless.
What did you like most/least about the Obama internet campaign?
Most: How they focus on the important aspects of social "networking." They used it as a tool. Too often we find the right jumping on the next big thing. A glorified social network is no place for grassroots political organizing. I don't want ot upload photos to a political page. I don't want to shoot unrelated videos. I want to be an effective organizer. Obama captured that. It spanned the generation gap(s). Least: How often his internet campaign broke the law. Let's talk ethics while we're there too. Wait, let's not.
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