Internet Fundraising has it Reached its Potential???

Although the internet played an important role in the 2000 and 2004 election it’s playing a more prominent role already in the 2008 presidential campaigning. An article by E. J. Dionne Jr. was published in the Washington Post, titled “A Wide-Open Web for the '08 Campaign.” The article evaluates the way in which candidates have taken advantage of internet campaigning in the past and present as opposed to television in the past, and how fundraising on the internet has become easier than ever.

It is said that in 2000 candidates raised a total of $6 to $7 million online, and in 2004 the record was $82 million in online donations (Dionne 1). Donations to candidates should now more than ever set new records. But, now that the internet isn’t as new of source of media, "It's hard to have a Dean-like phenomenon ever again," said Simon Rosenberg, president of NDN, formerly the New Democrat Network, a progressive advocacy group, "because the Internet is not a shiny new toy anymore," (Dionne 1). Howard Dean, used the internet early on to reach the public, and get citizens involved in his campaign.

The candidates for the 2008 Presidential election are trying to reach voters early on even though the internet is not a new type of media anymore. But, people are still getting involved through donating, checking out campaign websites, and attending rallies. People who are researching websites could possibly be ones who are associated with the individual parties, or those who know which candidate they intend to vote for. Some people just want to find out more information on the issues involved in this campaign.

Through campaigning online it permits candidates to not only reach the public faster on a more personal level, but it also allows for citizens to get involved directly. This article questions if Barack Obama will reach new levels of campaign fundraising online and will it make a difference or not to Hillary Clinton’s campaign finance. Everyone knows Hillary Clinton already has money. But, is that going to affect her campaign finance? I can’t really answer that question, but news polls have said that she as in the lead for fundraising recently. Perhaps it will not affect her campaign strategies. However, we can see how Barack Obama is taking advantage of the internet to not only reach people, and take their money, but get them involved in the campaign itself. His website shows the goals he has set for donations, involvement, and that they have been reached. It also provides ways to get involved to campaign locally, and through the website. In my opinion the internet is still playing a significant role in campaigning, and will allow all candidates to set new records for fundraising online as well as getting involved in the campaigns.