On at Granholm’s site, her blog not only allows her to speak with a more relaxed, candid tone, it also gives a voice to some of her campaign workers. The comments on the blog range in tone, from praise for a job well done to asking for help in tough times. The blog is filled with current posts, sometimes several a day, and it has archives that date back to January, beginning with her State of the State address.

DeVos’ blog also includes perspectives from the road, but includes photos from recent campaign stops, a nice addition that Granholm’s blog lacks. However, DeVos’ posts tend to attack the governor more than they give new ideas and thoughts on topics.

Messages received by way of television ads, radio commercials and even live debates can be quickly forgotten; campaign goals with a permalink now have an undefined shelf life and a resource for voters to easily refer back to. Not only are blogs effective for candidates, they’re a less-expensive form of “advertising,” when compared to the cost of purchasing on-air time and printing/mailing direct-mail literature.

Campaign blogs aren’t a new marketing tactic. The 2004 presidential election saw candidates Howard Dean and John Edwards, for example, blogging and finding new support online. A CBS News headline from 2004 sums it up best: “Campaign Blogs Outlive Candidates.”

When it comes time to select your votes for this Tuesday’s election, look online. Perhaps your candidates are already blogging their objectives.