Got Internet Activists?

Published on Friday, February 01, 2008
ARTICLES

Over the past several months, a growing legion of supporters have invigorated presidential candidate Ron Paul's campaign. Independent of the official effort, numerous individuals have helped raise money through the internet, leased a blimp and more to help spread Paul's message of liberty and limited government.

State free market think tanks advocate the same principles that Paul spouts daily. Thus, the question arises, what can think tanks do to similarly energize their supporters?

Supporter Trevor Lyman created the now-famous internet Money Bombs to coincide with historical dates key to freedom. The first Bomb raised a record $4 million for a primary candidate, and almost broke presidential candidate John Kerry's record. Within a month, Paul shattered Kerry's one-day record on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party with $6 million in donations.

The congressman's dominance among internet activists extends beyond cash. YouTube.com is filled with Paul videos, more than 102,000 to date. His supporters slice snippets of his TV appearances, radio interviews and campaign speeches and craft them into snappy sound bites. To give an idea of the rabidity of the scallions behind Paul, Hillary Clinton is the next-closest online video candidate - with an anemic 30,000.

Paul, when asked by fellow politicians how to mimic his internet successes, responded that the results came not from the politics, nor the person, but the principles.

The Paul campaign has listened to the independent internet activism. Words suggested by his supporters have crept into his debate comments. This has created a cycle where internet activists create messaging, then see results when Paul responds with this messaging. Energized, internet activists once again create more online content with refined Paul sound bites.

There is a great similarity between this political campaign and state think tanks: Both are based on the principles of liberty. That said, it's possible that the differences between a campaign and a think tank mean limitations to attaining the level of activism the Paul campaign has enjoyed. Campaigns have a clear timeline and goals and are more like a horse race. In contrast, a think tank usually works toward educational ends over a longer period.

Nevertheless, at a minimum, state think tanks should reach out to local Paul supporters. Just as importantly, institutes should study the volunteer-driven internet "un-campaign" and plant seeds in the minds - and hearts - of their supporters about how they can assist in spreading the message of liberty and limited government, especially online.

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Nicole Williams is the management & technology advisor at SPN. Write her at williams@spn.org.