By
Leroy Jones, Jr.
Political Commentator & Columnist
I would
have never thought that I would see the Democratic Presidential
Candidates raise more money than Republican Candidates in
my lifetime. It was a given that the deep pocketed supporters
of the GOP would always enable them to raise more money.
Something has happened
to change the playing field. The unpopularity of President
Bush and his policies, specifically, the War in Iraq has enraged
significant numbers of the Democratic Party faithful. It has
also inspired these individuals to not only give more of their
time, and but also their money.
Clearly,
the most interesting and monumental shift has been the ability
to go on the Internet, and contribute to a political campaign.
This simple task has changed the entire political fundraising
process. In 2004, Presidential Candidate Governor Howard Dean,
who is presently the Chairman of the Democratic Party, was
the first major party Presidential candidate to actively reach
out to both potential voters and donors on the Internet.
In
2008, campaigns have taken his model and shaped it to
fit their own needs. Most of the campaigns have been
able to focus on the increased political activism, and
not solely on the dollar amount given by any individual
donor. Right now, all the action is on the national
level, but I would suspect that political fundraising
on the Internet on all levels of politics is the wave
of the future.
With Senator Barack Obama leading the way with over
200,000 individual donors, many of them small amounts
given on the Internet, the political fundraising game
has changed forever. The Internet has made it possible
for candidates to promote and highlight their agenda,
while raising money at the same time. All of the Presidential
candidates have made large and impressive efforts to
involve themselves in this brave new world.
Let’s be very clear, the big money and deep pocket
donors will not become extinct like dinosaurs. They
are as much a part of the American political process
as apple pie. There is a new order sweeping through
the political process, and it is here to stay.
Importantly, increased participation in the process
helps to improve both our political and governmental
systems. Just remember, when folks put their money on
the table for any particular candidate it becomes personal,
that in itself could alter the way we all think about
politics in this country both now, and in the future.
Leroy
Jones, Jr., creator of PoliticalJones.com is a Political
Commentator and Government Affairs Consultant based
in Washington, D.C. He is the host of "The PoliticalJones
Report with Leroy Jones, Jr." on which airs every
Monday and Thursday on various radio
stations across the country. The PoliticalJones
Report with Leroy Jones, Jr. offers a new voice with
a unique perspective on the major political issues affecting
us today. Mr. Jones is also a regularly scheduled guest
on “The
Right Side with Shelley Wynter" daily radio
show on WAOK-1380 AM (Atlanta/CBS), XM Satellite Radio,
Blacknews.com and various other media outlets.
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