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The Washington Post describes the Obama movement in this must-read article...
Obama's movement began online, at least according to supporters such as Friedberg.
It was online that she first gave $100 to his campaign last year, followed months later by another $50. It was on Obama's Web site that she studied his stance on issues: health care, Social Security, the environment, education. It was on YouTube that she watched his speeches and found Will.I.Am's "Yes, We Can" viral video hit.
Ask Friedberg about the moment, the exact moment, she realized she was voting for Obama and all she can tell you is, "I don't know. I found it all online." She only turns on her television to watch DVDs.
Friedberg isn't alone. Like-minded supporters have largely funded Obama's campaign, allowing Obama to top the prodigious Clinton fundraising machine and push his movement-style message in ads, in mailers, through door knockers and the like. A few days ago, Obama crossed the millionth online donor mark, a feat that Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee, barely achieved before the convention.
Then there's his popularity on social networking sites. Not just on YouTube and Facebook but also on LinkedIn, the soc-net of choice for many higher-income professionals, and BlackPlanet, the MySpace for African Americans. Online, a movement formed by a diverse electorate has grown.
And then there's his own Web site, which adapted Howard Dean's 50-state strategy to garner support not just from reliably blue states but also from traditionally red ones. On Texas.barackobama.com, the biggest grass-roots volunteer groups (Austin for Obama, San Antonio for Barack Obama, etc.) were created on Feb. 10, 2007, the day Obama announced his White House bid.
Check out the accompanying video too...
Sign up for My.BarackObama.com if you're not already part of the movement.
If you're from Texas, find your polling and caucus locations!
Folks from around the country, we've got a few hours left to make calls into Texas. Our moment is now. My.BarackObama.com/call.