Considering that many political candidates are embracing the power of popular video-sharing Website, YouTube, it has evolved as an essential component in the upcoming 2008 US presidential election.

According to Reuters, about 2.5 million people have visited the I’ve Got a Crush…On Obama video since it was posted last month (see below). Other related activities involve holding polls to gather insights for the political campaigns as well as making some important announcements.

“In the past, the campaigns sort of stuck their toe into technology and innovation — it was a small detail of what was going on. The difference in this election is that technology has become fundamental. Every campaign has figured out ways to use YouTube all the time,” said PoliticsOnline founder Phil Noble.

Earlier, YouTube and CNN teamed up for video style presidential debates entitled The CNN-YouTube Debates.

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5. YouTube, PBS is asking you to “Video Your Vote”