Colorado- Whoever said politics wasn’t sexy hasn’t googled Ed Perlmutter lately.
Porn pirates, it seems, have hijacked the 2006 campaign Web site of the first-term Congressman from Golden. And they are holding it hostage for more than $1,000.
Those who type “Ed Perlmutter” into their Google search engine and then click “I’m feeling lucky” are directed to perlmutter2006.com, which used to tell voters in Colorado’s 7th District why they should vote for the Democrat.
Now the Web site features a bikini-clad woman lounging suggestively, next to links for “free uncensored webcams,” “find local girls for sex,” and “cheating wives adult chat.”
No, the freshman congressman is not trying to make a quick buck in the porn industry. To the contrary, his staff is trying desperately to get the smut off the Web.
Unbeknownst to Perlmutter, the trouble started right after he was elected, when the Web hosting firm he had hired, Denver-based Geek Gene, let its registration on the Web site’s domain name expire.
An enterprising Web site clearinghouse company called Sedo apparently snatched up the domain name.
“We’ve tried to buy it back, but the squatters are trying to extort an ungodly amount of money,” Perlmutter campaign spokesman Scott Chase said.
Representatives from Sedo and Geek Gene did not respond to requests for comment.
Chase said Sedo has offered to sell perlmutter2006.com back to the campaign for between $1,000 and $1,200, but so far Perlmutter isn’t biting.
Instead, the Congressman has loaded his re-election campaign content onto a new Web site: perlmutterforcolorado.com.
Those who google Ed Perlmutter will have to hunt for it, though. Today, it was listed as the 20th most popular Web site under his name.