Internet engaged people in '08 election, survey shows

WASHINGTON -- More than half of all adults — 55% — got their political fix online during the 2008 election, using the Internet not only as a source of information but also to share information and get involved in campaigns.

A new study by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project found that social media platforms — blogs, video-sharing sites and sites such as Facebook — played a key role. "Voters in 2008 were not just passive followers of the political process," said Aaron Smith, a Project research specialist. "They used a wide range of digital tools and technologies to get involved in the race."

As a candidate, Barack Obama capitalized on the online phenomenon — raising money, gathering supporters, spreading his message. He continues to do so through Organizing for America, a website run by the Democratic National Committee. The site guides supporters to MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and a host of other online sites where they can learn more about Obama's work in Washington and pledge support. On Tuesday afternoon, the group's Facebook page showed more than 6.2 million supporters had signed up.

By a roughly 2-to-1 ratio, Obama's online supporters were more engaged in the political debate than those of the Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain, according to the survey.

Pew found that among Internet users:

• 45% watched online political or election-related videos.

• 33% shared political content by e-mail or through various online sites and applications.

• 52% of those with a social networking profile on a site such as Facebook used it for political purposes.

The report was based on a survey of 2,254 adults Nov. 20 to Dec. 4. The survey had a margin of error of +/–2 to 3 percentage points.