"I Gave On The Internet"

Washington, DC (PoliticalJones.com) -  I would have never thought that I would see the Democratic Presidential Candidates raise more money than Republican Candidates in my lifetime. It was a given that the deep pocketed supporters of the GOP would always enable them to raise more money.

Something has happened to change the playing field.  The unpopularity of President Bush and his policies, specifically, the War in Iraq has enraged significant numbers of the Democratic Party faithful.  It has also inspired these individuals to not only give more of their time, and but also their money.

Clearly, the most interesting and monumental shift has been the ability to go on the Internet, and contribute to a political campaign.  This simple task has changed the entire political fundraising process.  In 2004, Presidential Candidate Governor Howard Dean, who is presently the Chairman of the Democratic Party, was the first major party Presidential candidate to actively reach out to both potential voters and donors on the Internet.
 
In 2008, campaigns have taken his model and shaped it to fit their own needs.  Most of the campaigns have been able to focus on the increased political activism, and not solely on the dollar amount given by any individual donor.   Right now, all the action is on the national level, but I would suspect that political fundraising on the Internet on all levels of politics is the wave of the future.
 
With Senator Barack Obama leading the way with over 200,000 individual donors, many of them small amounts given on the Internet, the political fundraising game has changed forever.  The Internet has made it possible for candidates to promote and highlight their agenda, while raising money at the same time.  All of the Presidential candidates have made large and impressive efforts to involve themselves in this brave new world.
 
Let’s be very clear, the big money and deep pocket donors will not become extinct like dinosaurs.  They are as much a part of the American political process as apple pie.  There is a new order sweeping through the political process, and it is here to stay.
 
Importantly, increased participation in the process helps to improve both our political and governmental systems.  Just remember, when folks put their money on the table for any particular candidate it becomes personal, that in itself could alter the way we all think about politics in this country both now, and in the future.