Analysis of Ron Paul's use of the Internet
From digmovements
[edit] Ron Paul and the Internet
Ron Paul managed to destroy the one day fundraising record by amassing an unheard of 6 million dollars on December 16, 2007. [1]The majority of these donations were obtained online. Without Paul’s embracement of the Internet, he would not have been able to start such a successful grassroots movement, which is virtually unheard of in these days of questionable big money donations and corrupt lobbyists. This utilization of the Internet allowed a candidate, who had been virtually shunned by his party due to his highly classical conservative views, to fare rather well in the primaries, even managing to come in a respectable second to Mitt Romney in the Nevada primary. Ron Paul began as the republican dark horse; no one thought he stood any competition at all. While Paul was still unable to receive the Republican nomination, his revolutionary campaign tactics allowed him to garner considerable support and outdo nearly everyone’s expectations. Instead of utilizing the traditional methods of receiving donations (such as fundraisers, expensive dinners, etc…), he embraced the advancements of the Internet to fund his campaign. He avoided the traditional way of gaining support (news shows, expensive commercials, etc…). He started a grassroots movement using the Internet. If you go to Ron Paul’s website you will see how much different it is than most candidates. Paul’s website serves as an interactive hub for his campaign. The site is constantly updated with new information and provides the viewers with many ways of getting involved in his campaign. Additionally, the site provides all sorts of information ranging from personal information about Paul’s life to his stance on the war on Iraq. Paul’s site is set up to make you feel like you are a part of something, not just a supporter of Paul, but it offers virtually anyone to get involved with his campaign. [2] Furthermore, Paul has another site, http://www.ronpaul.meetup.com/, which allows Paul supporters to organize with fellow Ron Paul supporters in their area and unite to work on making a difference.
[edit] Mobilizing Voters through the internet
Perhaps the most important part of Paul’s website is all of the options he offers for getting involved other than donating. Paul’s campaign was run to make his followers a part of his campaign and not merely just supporters. This gave Paul the ability to start a grassroots movement with his supporters because his supporters felt more attached to his campaign since they could and even were a major part of it.[3] In addition to the innovative interactive set up of his web site, with one simple click on the donate button you could donate anywhere from $1.00 to $2,300 by simply answering a few questions and entering your credit card information.
- ↑ "Ron Paul, a Republican Outsider, Sets Fund-Raising Record." Herald Tribune 18 Dec. 2007. <http://www.iht.com>.
- ↑ Ron Paul 2008: Hope for America. 2 June 2008. <http://www.ronpaul2008.com/>.
- ↑ Feldmann, Linda. "T's Behind Ron Paul's Huge '08 Fundraising Haul." Christian Science Monitor 99 (2007): 2.
