[Offtopic] Re: 'The Internet Flexes Political Muscle'

[Stephen Loosley]

(continued)

>Fwd: Weekly PoliTicker
>
>The Internet Flexes Political Muscle:  Story Of The Week May 25, 2007 
> 
>The 2008 cycle is showing that Internet companies are becoming a large 
>force in presidential politics.
>
>On July 23rd, both Google and YouTube along with CNN will be the media 
>sponsors for the first DNC sanctioned debate. Last week, MySpace and
>YouTube both announced online town hall meetings with the presidential
>contenders, scheduled for January. 


Stats Of The Week

  19,320   is the number of MySpace friends of presidential contender, Ron Paul, which is a 26.4% increase over the previous seven days. Paul comes in third behind McCain and Romney, respectively, in the MySpace primary.

  689,132  is the number of times YouTube videos have been watched of Ron Paul. Paul leads the Republican field; however, Romney is a close second and McCain a distant third. <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=6lftiacab.0.knnplacab.5dx5jdbab.10311&ts=S0252&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.TechPresident.com>techPresident

  21 Million  is the number of people who watched online political videos as of February 2007.

  24 Million  is the number of people who have participated in online lobbying campaigns. <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=6lftiacab.0.jnnplacab.5dx5jdbab.10311&ts=S0252&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.latimes.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fla-na-web20may20%2C0%2C24100.story%3Fcoll%3Dla-home-center>LA<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=6lftiacab.0.jnnplacab.5dx5jdbab.10311&ts=S0252&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.latimes.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fla-na-web20may20%2C0%2C24100.story%3Fcoll%3Dla-home-center> Times 


>MySpace plans an online primary for its users during the same month. 
>
>The trend is clear. From Social networking sites to video hubs, these 
>companies are playing a role in the 2008 election.
>
>These internet companies open a new door into presidential campaigns, but 
>what will the ultimate affect on the outcome be? Campaigns are realizing 
>they must evolve from a top-down management style, which means the 
>campaigns lose some control. But the smart campaigns are learning how to 
>harness this new power. 
>
>Both Sen. Obama and Fmr. Sen. Edwards are credited with creating online 
>communities to bolster their support. 
>
>For example, if you go to either of their websites the candidates' 
>pictures are not prominent, but tools to become apart of the team are 
>everywhere. Edwards' and Obama's campaign Web sites are an invitation to 
>a community, and not just a place to learn a biography or a political 
>position. 
>
>On the Republican side, Fmr. Gov. Romney and Rep. Paul have successfully 
>ridden at least one internet wave. Romney used YouTube along with his 
>Presidential website to sign up 24,000 supporters in 24 hours. 
>
>For the past week, Paul has the most YouTube downloads of any Republican 
>contender.
>
>No longer is the campaign about the candidates, but it is about the 
>candidates' supporters and what they can accomplish together. 
>
>In 2004, Howard Dean repeatedly said, "you have the power." Meaning it 
>was his supporters that propelled him to the front of the pack. Not the 
>media. Not his campaign advisors. 
>
>But it was the people using the power of the Web, who believed they could 
>change the country. 
>--
>
>Cheers all ..
>Stephen Loosley
>Victoria, Australia
>_______________________________________________