Just got of the air with celebrity talk show genius Roland Martin. If you haven't heard him on air in Chicago you probably have seem him on CNN. He is one of their most solid and energizing political contributors. We discussed the internet and the role it's playing in the election. Bottom line: the internet ha leveled the playing field for sure in the 2008 election. Look, big money campaigns that can buy big media days are over (like analog tv-that's a story for another day). If you were to choose the nominees based solely on the internet popularity of each candidate the results would be: Democrat = Barack Obama and Republicans = Ron Paul with a strong lead and the most money raised online than any other Republican candidate.

These are truly interesting times, I mean nowadays watching a primary with live tickers and play-by-play instant-live blogging updates - watching politics is like watching ESPN. I mean people are at bars with net-connected computers watching 50 inch screens and blogging! Will this translate into newer audiences, will this type of activity translate into new votes?

Your thoughts? Will the online momentum die out, does it have the power to bring out new non-voters to the booths - hit us up with a comment below!

PS-some of the websites I shared on Rolands show today are:

www.techpresident.com,   www.politico.com,   www.opensecrets.org 

Could the youth change the 2008 election and for once be recognized as a voting population that can make a difference in today's political process? It seems that some candidates are going the "tried and true" route of reaching to the obvious age groups and demographics. But this race has forever changed how elections will proceed in the future. With YouTube, Facebook and sites with college focused blogs on Politico.com. We might actually see a new group of voters at the poll booths. That brings up the next point. Below is a video from will.i.am front man of Black Eyed Peas & Jesse Dylan (son of Bob Dylan) they spent $30,000, pulled together 40 artists, musicians, atheletes and in 48 hours had a fully video produced and on the web inspired by the New Hampshire Obama speech. It has received close to 2 million views online. With 18-29 year olds saying the "web is their #1 source for campaign news" and 25% of Americans using the web for campaign news regularly (doubled since 2004 according to Pew Research) you can't deny that now may be the time for youth to really understand the issues and get out to vote. MTV tried with Rock the Vote and P Diddy is back with more than "Vote or Die" but it may be the silent, organic web that may be the ultimate influencer this go 'round!

One thing is for sure regardless of who you are voting for you can't argue the power and energy you feel from the video below (at least that's my opinion). You view and post a comment on your feedback.