There is no doubt that the Internet has changed the political world that we live in. This year so-called online bloggers reported back from the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, providing readers with personal, behind-the-scenes accounts of the two parties' campaign pep rallies. But perhaps even more noteworthy, political organizations were able to use the Internet to disseminate a strongly progressive and anti-war message that had been mostly absent from corporate, mainstream media. In addition, these groups were able, for the first time, to raise significant amounts of money - nationally and in a short amount of time - in support of their campaign efforts.

by Shedon Rampton

Whoever wins the 2004 presidential election, it will be remembered historically as a watershed moment in American politics. The Internet, whose transformative potential has been predicted for years but never fully realized, has finally become a powerhouse organizing tool for political activists.

An Internet-centered campaign strategy enabled Howard Dean to emerge from nowhere and become a serious contender in the U.S. Democratic Primary. At the beginning of 2003, Dean had virtually no money and no name recognition outside his home state of Vermont. By the end of the year, his fundraising had not only outpaced his rivals but had set new records for presidential primaries. More importantly, the money was coming from sources that previously had not been able to participate meaningfully in campaign giving. Dean received 97 percent of his contributions from individual donors, with 61 percent coming from donors who gave $200 or less. Only 11 percent of Dean's money came from big-money donors who gave $2,000 or more. (By comparison, the Bush campaign has received 53 percent of its money from donors in the $2,000+ range.)

by Sheldon Rampton

Since its launch in September 1998, the MoveOn.org Web site has become a fundraising and organizing powerhouse, attracting more than 2 million subscribers and raising tens of millions of dollars for liberal causes and Democratic party candidates. Its success has surprised even its founders, computer entrepreneurs Joan Blades and Wes Boyd.

Before venturing into online politics, Blades and Boyd were the cofounders of Berkeley Systems, an entertainment software company known for the flying toaster screen saver and the online game show "You Don't Know Jack." After selling the company in 1997, they became concerned about the level of "partisan warfare in Washington" following revelations of President Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky. They launched MoveOn.org initially to oppose the Republican-led effort to impeach Clinton. Initially called "Censure and Move On," the web site invited visitors to add their names to a bipartisan online petition that stated, "Congress must Immediately Censure President Clinton and Move On to pressing issues facing the country."

by Sheldon Rampton

Vermont governor Howard Dean only won a single state, his own, in his campaign to win the Democratic nomination for president in 2004. Nevertheless, his campaign was remarkable for its extensive use of the Internet to reach out to its supporters. Dean and his staff frequently "blogged" while on the campaign trail and even delegated important campaign-related decisions to the outcomes of polls conducted on his Web site. By soliciting contributions online, mostly in small donations from individuals, the campaign shattered previous fundraising records for the Democratic presidential primary. Dean has thus been credited with being the first national candidate to play to the strengths of the Internet, in particular by engaging the American public directly in the political process.

by Diane Farsetta

It was mid-July, and at least one conservative group was worried. "Move America Forward has obtained a list of the speakers at the Democrat [sic] National Convention, and it is rather apparent that this political convention will be nothing more than a 'Blame America First' pep rally." Move America Forward (MAF) warned that convention speakers would include prominent Democratic Party members Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Ted Kennedy and Al Sharpton. "These individuals have used some of the most irresponsible language in seeking to advance their liberal political goals by trying to divide our nation and erode support for our military and the war effort," MAF wrote.

The Center for Media & Democracy celebrated the Center's 10th anniversary on June 18, 2004. CMD staff and nearly 200 friends and supporters gathered at the hip Club Majestic in Madison, Wisconsin. Attendees heard talks by the evening's special guest Demcracy Now's Amy Goodman and the Center's founder John Stauber and his co-author and CMD research director Sheldon Rampton.

by Bob Burton

For over two decades, a Virginia-based organization has been quietly working as the Johnny Appleseed of conservative think tanks. With a modest $4 million budget in 2003 and a staff of eight, Atlas Economic Research Foundation is on a mission to populate the world with new "free market" voices. In its 2003 review of activities, quaintly titled its Investor Report, Atlas boasted that it worked with "70 new think-tank entrepreneurs from 37 foreign countries, including Lithuania, Greece, Mongolia, Ghana, the Philippines, Brazil and Argentina," as well as with several American groups.

In 1984, the Atlas Economic Research Foundation helped set up a think tank in Venezuela called the Center for the Dissemination of Economic Information (or Centro de Divulgación del Conocimiento Económico, CEDICE). But contrary to Atlas' emphasis on independence, CEDICE has received U.S. funds to support the failed attempts to remove Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez from office. In its Summer 2004 Investor Report, Atlas writes, "Venezuela is not California, so no matter what happens with the recall referendum . . . the country will continue to face a daunting populist menace. All those involved with CEDICE . . . have been an invaluable and courageous voice for freedom, peace and prosperity."