If nominated, how quickly could Edwards build up his internet support?

[mot78]

If Edwards is nominated, he won't have the powerful online grassroots that Dean or Clark have, and his Meetup numbers are almost lower than *'s. Is there anyway we could instantly convert all of these internt grassroots blog and websites for Dean or Clark into pro-Edwards sites? Could we start a program to inform Dean supporters and Clark supporters to sign up for Edward's Meetup or transfer to his email list?

...BTW, I'm not as concerned with Kerry, because his grassroots online is in a better situation than Edwards.

[mot78]

1. Kick!

This thread was dropping like a rock admist the flamming.

[isbister]

2. If Edwards wins the nomination, I'm in

anything I can do to make sure the country is saved and Bush is kicked out of the country... oops, I mean the White House

[molly]

3. Most voters are not internet supportive - they like feely-touchie

in other words - they don't give a flying whatever about internet whatever.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

5. yep, the internet is vastly overrated

Edwards might just surprise everyone.

[mot78]

6. The internet is a source of rw lies, and a source of countering those lies

We need to have stronger grassroots support than *. I can't bear the thought of them dominating the internet like the they do tv and radio. At least we have somewhat of a lead on them now (until Townhall and FR get the funds to rival MoveOn)

[Dr.Phool]

4. About as fast as you can say "Howard Dean"

I'm a Dean supporter, and if Edwards takes the nomination, I'll become an Edwards supporter in a nanosecond and devote all of my energy to helping him win the election. Likewise if Clark wins, or Kerry, or Kucinich. I'm sure nearly every organization in the country will do likewise.

[DjTj]

7. Alexa ranks johnedwards2004.com second only to deanforamerica.com

Look at this graph:

http://pages.alexa.com/features/candidates.html

The analysis at the bottom is a few days old, but Edward's internet traffic passed Kerry, Kucinich, and Clark this week.

Also, check out http://www.winwithedwards.com, a site built completely by Edwards supporters.

[boxster]

8. A lot would depend on how "transferable" Dean supporters...

really are.

If Dean and his supporters openly back Edwards should Edwards win the nomination, he'd have a net base almost immediately.

[mikehiggins]

9. If Edwards wins he'll have the Clark people over night.

Everybody loves Johnny!

[Jerseycoa]

11. Yep

:)

[Bread and Roses]

24. me, too -

Clark
Kerry
Edwards

[pasadenaboy]

10. he has matching funds limitations

he is limited until the convention, unlike Bush who will have $200M tearing him down.

[DjTj]

15. After watching the stump speech on C-Span...

...I realized, how JRE would respond to this criticism.

John Edwards went to court as a young lawyer and sat across from lawyers from insurance companies who were paid million-dollar fees. Edwards had limited resources and people told him he couldn't win, but he beat'em and he beat'em and he beat'em again.

Then, he went up against an incumbent Republican Senator who had much greater resources and the benefit of the Jesse Helms political machine. People told him he couldn't win, but in 1998, John Edwards, a man with no prior political experience, was the only Democrat to unseat an incumbent Republican, and he did it in a Southern state.

Do not underestimate Johnny Reid Edwards.

[jenk]

18. it was very inspirational

wish I could've been there myself, he's on fire right now!

[anti-bush]

17. The main point here...

Is that it is only limited until the convention. Most people don't understand that the primary season and matching funds limitations don't translate into the general election.

[DjTj]

21. ...and if there's anything Edwards has proven...

...It's that he can catch fire when it's crunch time. It doesn't matter what Bush tries to pull during the primary season, he will bring a surge of supporters as the election approaches.

All those voters who are too busy working to pay attention to politics 24/7 will see that Edwards is their man. Bush can spend all he wants through the summer. Edwards will come out on top in November.

[mmonk]

12. He won't have a problem

We'll all be there. His internet presence will hum.

[AP]

13. This is a milestone post for DU. Perhaps first where someone probably...

..thought, hmmm, Edwards could be the nominee. Let me imagine what that'd be like?

Doesn't someone want to add to this something like, "he'd have a great VP web site!" Or, "my wife and I love him, but we think it's too soon for him to have an interent presense. Maybe in 2098 or 3002?

[boxster]

16. Yeah, and you'll notice how many responses this posting got compared....

to any and all "X is a loser because..." posts. :)

Maybe Edwards will surprise everyone and pull off a win in Iowa. Although I'm a Clark supporter, I really like Edwards and would LOVE to see him win there.

[Jerseycoa]

19. Her you go

"he'd have a great VP web site!" ;)

[AP]

20. Chears!

Like I said, I just don't think he's ready for a web presence until 2008 or 2012, though my dogs and cats love him!

[arewethereyet]

14. people vote and not over the internet

from a GE perspective its not a big deal.

[saltpoint]

22. If it turns out that Edwards is our nominee --

-- then I expect his internet presence will explode exponentially and rapidly.

Many Democrats -- with computers -- want Bush Jr. gone.

Some of the reports from Iowa this week tell of huge crowds for Edwards' appearances. They're bringing him coffee and sandwiches and offers of adoption. NPR described his appearancs as being nearly like religious revivals.

He either wins or places second on Monday night, I predict.

The web network will materialize almost instantly after that.

[anti-bush]

23. The interactive aspect of the web favors Democrats

Look at GW's blog. It is censored to heck, and does not foster a community atmosphere. The great thing about all of the Democrats' blogs are that they create a community that makes everybody feel empowered, and gives them a sense of importance in the politics of this country. Never before in our history has something like this been available. Before, people felt disenfranchised by politics, especially those who couldn't donate large sums of money. Now, I feel like I am actively supporting my candidate, more than I could ever have done in the past, and it has gotten me more involved in the grassroots effort.