Internet changes US presidential campaign

THE INTERNET has changed the game in this year's US presidential election campaign, former Democratic candidate John Edwards told the crowd at a New York politics and technology conference Monday.

Edwards returned to his home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and was surprised to find his wife Elizabeth being interviewed via Skype video by conference promoter Andrew Rasiej. Mrs. Edwards' flights to attend the conference in person had been canceled due to weather.

Asked about the Internet's impact on US politics and whether it's "changing the course of history," Edwards said that it's making a big difference and has changed the dynamics of likely Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama's campaign. Edwards is backing Obama.

"It is the only reason that Barack Obama is not taking public financing," Edwards said, "'cause he has a fund-raising base that's more grassroots, more smaller donors." He echoed his wife's earlier opinion that Obama has already proven himself as a grassroots political candidate, so he doesn't need to make that point again by accepting public campaign funds.

Before Edwards walked in, his wife had conducted an extensive conversation with Rasiej, discussing the role of the Internet versus traditional media in delivering campaign news and analysis, how well major candidates have used new media (not very well so far, except for Republican Ron Paul, said Mrs. Edwards), Obama's decision not to accept public campaign financing, and her expectations about the upcoming general election campaign prospects.

What strikes us as revolutionary is that Elizabeth and John Edwards conducted this video interview impromptu and online over Skype, not from a television studio. Eat your hearts out, US television networks. µ

L'Inq
Wired