How New Media Leveled The Playing Field For Presidential Candidate Mike Gravel
It goes without argument that the Internet will play a big role in the 2008 presidential election, but I don’t think anyone expected that an Internet based grassroots campaign could effectively level the playing field for unknown candidates like former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel. But that’s exactly what is happening. Over the course of a few days, a candidate unbeknown to virtually everyone has generated buzz on the Internet like we’ve never seen before.
As the graph above shows, Mike Gravel’s website now rivals that of the top tiered candidates in the race in reach, traffic and page views. What’s even more amazing is that this happened in just under a week’s time, and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Now of course this is only representative of Internet popularity, but with the new media on the Internet beginning to rival and even influencing old media mediums like television, this news is significant.
Update: As of May 3rd there has been a significant pitfall in traffic to Mike Gravel’s website, which would normally indicate that he’s lost all momentum, but in actuality the traffic is merely diverting to Students For Gravel, a new website that is devoted to building a grassroots campaign of students supporting Mike Gravel. Here’s an image of the graph as it appears today.
Related posts:
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- US Presidential conversation goes global with LiveJournal
- Mike Rundle Interviewed at BloggerTalks
- Secure Our Future launches site for 2008 presidential candidates
I am for Mike Gravel!
By BigMike on May 5, 2007 12:20 am
Mike will fight back against the candidates funded millions by corporations! GO MIKE
By Richie Rich on May 5, 2007 8:42 am
I’m for Gravel, 100%! Let’s make it happen
By Keith Burgun on May 5, 2007 11:15 am
He’s the best candidate out there! Go for it Mike!
By treebu on May 5, 2007 12:05 pm
Mike gravel is a candidate I am proud to support!
By James Hurt on May 5, 2007 1:27 pm
America is tired of feeling more like Orwell’s 1984 day in and day out. The difference between the “more of the same” candidates and genuine guys like Gravel, Kucinich, and Ron Paul is like night and day and only people who can’t see it are those who are AFRAID to see it.
By Todd Whitesel on May 6, 2007 5:01 am
I agree, Gravel is better than most of the candidates, however he still has a lot of socialist-leaning ideas. I’d rather see the government shrunk the way Ron Paul (the Republican anti-war candidate) advocates.
By Pat on May 6, 2007 2:19 pm
Mike Gravel presents us with the new future of America. His progressive ideas will bring us out of the horrendous system we are now living in.
By Adam on May 6, 2007 2:52 pm
[...] presidential elections in the US, the hopeful candidates are making use of new media. 901am has this excellent example of how new media is slowly leveling the playing field. It goes without argument that the Internet [...]
By by Froodee on May 6, 2007 3:06 pm
You *cannot* stop this train. Gravel 2008!
By Kalibre on May 7, 2007 1:21 pm
Mike’s got my vote and my family’s and all my friends too!!!Keep it Mike!!!PEACE!!
By Michael T.Leonard on May 7, 2007 2:20 pm
I had never heard of Mike Gravel until watching the Democratic Presidential debate. Immediately I was astounded when listening to him speak. He is real. He is not fake, polished, or dumb. He is brilliant; he has a heart; he is an elder; he is a respectful person. And he’s funny…the potted plant…
By Trevor Madison on May 7, 2007 9:49 pm