On July 23rd, both Google and YouTube along with CNN will be the media sponsors for the first DNC sanctioned debate down in Charleston, SC.  Last week, MySpace and YouTube both announced online town hall meetings with the Presidential contenders, scheduled for January of 2008.  MySpace plans an online primary to its users during the same month.  The trend is clear.  From Social networking sites to video hubs, these companies want to play a role in the 2008 election.

These internet companies open a new door into presidential campaigns, but this door opens into a world of uncertainty.  Campaigns are realizing they must abandon 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 the people combined with the power of the Internet, who believed they could change the country.