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.
Originally posted on May 4, 2007 @ 8:47 pm
I am for Mike Gravel!
Mike will fight back against the candidates funded millions by corporations! GO MIKE
I’m for Gravel, 100%! Let’s make it happen
He’s the best candidate out there! Go for it Mike!
Mike gravel is a candidate I am proud to support!
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.
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.
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.
You *cannot* stop this train. Gravel 2008!
Mike’s got my vote and my family’s and all my friends too!!!Keep it Mike!!!PEACE!!
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…