2008: The Year of the Blogger

In 20 or 30 years, history may point to the 2008 presidential election as being the first time that candidates used the Internet as a vehicle to determine the legitimacy of their candidacy.

In 2000 and 2004 the presidential candidates used the Internet much like a child suspiciously plays with a new toy that they don’t understand. However, what we’ve already seen is that the current crop of candidates is savvy about the Internet and using it in new and exciting ways.

John Edwards and Hillary Clinton announced their candidacy through prerecorded messages on their Web sites, almost all of the candidates post to "personal" blogs on their Web site, and many candidates have begun placing campaign ads on various Internet sites.

Like the 1952 contest between Dwight Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson, 2008 may be looked on as a turning point in political campaigning. The candidates finally seem to understand how vital their Internet presence is to their overall campaign, and the mature blogging world is already trying to make a difference in the 2008 elections.

Al Gore, inventor of the Internet and patrician of all things digital, may ironically become the first candidate whose decision to run is decided online.

The recent discovery of Gore’s exorbitant heating bills has quickly become one of the hottest topics in the right-wing bloggosphere. Conservatives are using this story to desperately stunt a grass roots effort to keep the ultra-popular darling of the Hollywood circle on the sidelines in 2008.

However, liberal blogs such as the Daily Kos, are ignoring the seemingly obvious paradox and trying desperately to encourage Gore to run in 2008. Currently, more than 45,000 people have signed the petition to "draft Gore" for the 2008 election.

The resulting debate which will play itself out online may decide which way Gore decides to turn in 2008?

For years Bloggers have demanded legitimacy and yearned to make a difference in the world. 2008 appears to finally be their title shot.