With the explosive YouTube video of current Vice President Cheney back in 1994 condemning the idea of taking a war to Iraq, the question emerges whether or not the Internet is a force to be reckoned with in the 2008 presidential election. Four years ago the ‘Net was mainly a place for furtive information, rumor mongering, and visual jab at the individual candidates, yet in 2008 the full effect of the Internet can be felt.
Sites that prominently display the individual candidates' tax filings and financial campaign declarations vie for virtual foot traffic with those that dish the latest dirt and personal exploits of the nomination hopefuls and their families. Sites like USA Election Polls help voters to understand the national as well as popular polls, while at the same time offering some insight into analysis and opinions. Blogs greatly encourage voters to speak out, while message boards get even the younger generations involved in the political process.
Mostly notably Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Barack Obama and also Ron Paul have gotten the hint and are posting to their website blogs frequently in an effort to keep the conversation going and mobilizing their respective bases. Yet will the ‘Net eclipse the tried and true print media or television giants like CNN when it comes to reaching the masses? Similarly, will the sheer vastness of available information drown out the facts, like it appears to have done with the Cheney video? At this point in time it is hard to tell what effect – if any – the ‘Net will have on voter behavior.
> View the online archive of the latest 2008 presidential polls.
