What about reillywantsyourobediance.com? Do the Republicans have that too?And reillywantsyourdeadrelativesvotes.org?
Posted on 01/10/2005 2:51:43 PM PST by Mike Fieschko
BOSTON (Reuters) - Massachusetts Republicans have launched a pre-emptive strike against Democratic Attorney General Tom Reilly by snapping up online Internet addresses that would have been obvious picks for him if he decides to run for governor in 2006.Reilly has not yet said whether he will challenge Republican Governor Mitt Romney in 2006. But if Reilly does run, it will be hard for him to use the Web sites reillyforgovernor.com, tomreillyforgovernor.com, reillyforgovernor2006.com and reillyforgovernor06.com.
That's because the state Republican Party registered those domain names last week, the Boston Herald newspaper reported on Monday.
"It was bought with the intention to have some fun if he is indeed the nominee," Tim O'Brien, executive director of the state party, told the Herald.
Reilly advisers said the Republicans' Internet maneuvering appeared premature, given that the Democratic attorney general has not yet announced his candidacy.
Susan Crawford, an expert in Internet law at New York's Cardozo Law School, said the Republicans' move seemed to be a new twist on the practice of cybersquatting.
A term that originated in the 1990s, when the Internet was catching on, cybersquatting refers to the act of reserving a particular domain name for the purpose of selling it at a higher price. Celebrities and corporations have typically been victims of cybersquatting schemes.
Crawford said she could not recall another instance of one political party registering domain names for a potential rival, although she noted that before he ran for president in 2000, then-Gov. George W. Bush of Texas complained of a parody site that used his name.
Crawford said Reilly still has several options available should he decide to run for governor.
She noted the number of possible domains has expanded in recent years with the advent of new Web suffixes like .info, .biz and .us.
Reilly also could dispute the Republicans' move through arbitration, Crawford said. However, the cost of doing so is likely to be far greater than the $6 to $9 fee for registering a new domain name.
"He definitely has options, but he may not want to waste his money," she told Reuters.
Politics is a rough game, but this kind of stuff is so childish.
Politics is a rough game, but this kind of stuff is so childish.
What?!?! This is classic guerrilla politics. I just can't wait for Reilly to sue to get those domain names.
Ooh! What about reillywantsyourobediance.com? Do the Republicans have that too?
Since I am a member of that beleagured group,Massachusetts Republican,I think it is terrific!
No kidding. This is just cheap and silly. I'm willing to vote Republican, but I'm not willing to donate to my local party if it plays games like this.
Good luck to you guys in aught six
What about reillywantsyourobediance.com? Do the Republicans have that too?Can't stand the guy(Reilly). He's been running for Governor since he sent the fat kid to prison. He loves the spotlight and really wants the job. Following him will be Martha Coakley who will try to replace him.
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