Internet fund raising in politics has come of age. While the current democratic candidate appears to be the forerunner, we expect that both parties will adopt this approach in the future. According to L. Sabato, Direct of the Center of Politics at the University of Virginia,
“AnObamaMinute.com calls for pledgers to register a donation within 60 seconds, at 1pm on Apr. 21. Could the site be interpreted as just another stunt in an environment where $1 million isn’t what it used to be?
There is certainly an element of theater,admits one member of Obama’s national finance committee who’s familiar with the project (the campaign is participating to make sure all contributions meet federal giving requirements). But, it is also another ambitious fund-raising effort in a political season marked by campaigns that have aggressively pushed the boundaries of raising money, both offline and on. – Business Week
This is another wrinkle, another innovation that confirms the Internet’s potential.
In some ways, the Internet connects Obama supporters better,adds Sabato.Clinton and McCain supporters are generally older, and this kind of high-speed fund-raising may not exactly be the way they think.The irony, of course, is that Pennsylvania primary voters tend to be older, comprising exactly the demographic that might not be attuned to such online events. His war chest well-funded, Obama’s biggest hurdle is to convince more white, working, and lower- and middle-class voters to back him.”