GOP introduces online community "AmericaSpeakingOut.com"

The most prominent users will earn “badges,” though the GOP has not yet determined what rewards people could get. House Republicans also will go on the site and interact with users. Up to a dozen staff members will be monitoring the Web site, party aides said, both to keep it running properly and to filter out inappropriate messages…

McCarthy, in an interview, said he wants the public to have a chance to propose ideas but acknowledged that the GOP wouldn’t necessarily be beholden to them. Online audiences often have different priorities than Washington politicians: When the White House invited people online last year to submit questions that President Obama would then answer, one of the most popular subjects was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy. (Obama answered in the negative.)

“This isn’t ‘American Idol,’ ” said McCarthy, adding that the top vote-getting idea on the site might not be adopted by the GOP. Referring to the party’s broader platform, he said, “we are in the process of creating ours, so it’s based upon our principles.”