While the effect the Internet is having on elections has yet to be determined, its effect on politicians in the news media is changing the landscape of politics forever.

Take for example, the “grass roots” (I use quotes around grass roots there because the terms may seem contrary to high-tech, but in my opinion, isn’t) support given to small-time politician Ron Paul during the last few presidential elections.

Dr. Paul’s supporters built “tea party” websites asking small-time donors to all donate on specific days with great success, breaking several records for single-day campaign donations.

OpenSecrets.org has a page on Ron Paul’s campaign from 2008 that reports that 99% of his campaign funds (about thirty five million dollars) came from individuals. Impressive, huh?

I have no doubt that politicians will look intently to the Internet when trying to raise campaign funds for the next presidential election.