Add mobile communication to the ever-growing list of “must-have” applications for the forward-thinking political campaign. That’s the message being conveyed today at the first-ever Politics-to-Go conference, hosted by George Washington’s Institute for Politics Democracy & The Internet.

Companies with names like POLItxt, Mobile Voter, and Mobile Accord filled the room – all brand new firms banking on the profit potential of mobile communication to canvas, register, organize, vote, lobby, and solicit donations from voters with just a few clicks of the thumb.

Profits aside, mobile communication is quite possibly the future of political communication for the wired generation. Young voters are one of the most elusive groups for political and advocacy marketers. They’re the most likely to tune out direct mail, use cell phones as their primary method of telecommunication, contact friends and family using text messages, and fast-forward through commercials using digital video recorders.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is providing bloggers and blog readers with an exclusive sneak peek at their soon-to-launch redesigned website. For the next few days, the only way to see the new site is by clicking on one of their blogads or finding a link in a blog posting.

Now, I'm extraordinarily biased here, as I worked with the DSCC on the design and execution of this campaign, but thought it was worth pointing out. There's an open thread at FromTheRoots.org where they're seeking comments and suggestions.

The Washington Post reports today about anonymous blog postings and their influence on local races in Virginia.

According to the article -- and conventional wisdom -- although most blogs “draw only a few thousand readers a day,” in primary elections “where voter turnout is low and 'political junkies' who frequent such Web sites are more likely to vote, the blogs might have a real effect.”

According to some critics of the blogosphere, the problem with blogs is that they allow virtually anyone to post anything -- factual or not -- and start the wheels on the rumor mill running full steam ahead.

The anonymous blogger at the center of the piece -– who posts entries as “Not Larry Sabato,” a harmless dig at the Director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics who considers

Carol Darr from the Institute for Politics, Technology & The Internet (IPDI) kicked off the second panel on Internet Communications before the Federal Election Commission.  IPDI's comments to the FEC came under increased scrutiny after a blistering review posted on DailyKos.  Carol did a good job, though, of explaining what IPDI's comments were all about.

According to Darr, a hypothetically “broadly granted media exemption contains an absolutely unavoidable consequence.”  Specifically, she is concerned that corporations and unions could spend large amounts of money under the guise of being a blogger if the FEC crafts a blanket media exemption.

Marc Elias from John Kerry for President was also on the second panel.  Elias argued that if the FEC decides to regulate the Internet -- even if it's a mild regulation -- it will cause citizens to "pause" before engaging in online activities for fear of breaking the law.  Grassroots activism would be stifled.  Elias also noted that the focus should not be on everyday voters but on those who abuse current laws.  He gave the example of people who set up fraudulent websites that solicit donations from unassuming citizens.

The Federal Election Commission began two days of hearings on its
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Internet Communications this morning.

After brief opening comments from FEC Chairman Scott Thomas, Vice Chairman Michael Toner, and Commissioner Ellen Weintraub, the Commission quickly turned to the first set of panelists.

PDF Contributing Editor Mike Krempasky from RedState.org was the first to testify. Mike focused predominantly on the so-called “media exemption” which removes most press activities from the definition of contribution and expenditure.

If bloggers do not receive the press exemption from the FEC, many bloggers who incorporate for the purposes of limiting liability may find themselves making corporate contributions.

Mike said:

There is no doubt to that bloggers are media entities. Nor is there any doubt that the tradition of citizen journalists is a long accepted part of our national culture. From before the very founding of our country, individuals and relative unknowns have contributed to this great conversation…The Commission should extend the media exemption to bloggers and other online publishers with the broadest possible terms.”

John Morris from the Center for Democracy & Technology was up next. John had a very straight-forward message to the Federal Election Commission:
Keep It Simple.

Morris said that the challenge the FEC now faces is:

The Chicago Tribune writes today that: "Web loggers, who pride themselves on freewheeling political activism, might face new federal rules on candidate endorsements, online fundraising and political ads, though bloggers who don't take money from political groups would not be affected."

Check it out: FEC treads into sticky web of political blogs

Truth be told, I'm significantly more interested in the titles of recent FEC articles than their substance. I'm just uncertain which titles I like better.

Today, we were handed the "sticky web" by the Tribune. Not bad. But last week, MSNBC brought us the "thorny case." Together, we've got sharp edges and a sweet mess. Hmmm.

MSNBC's "thorny case" was actually a re-print of a Forbes.com article that also ran last w

The deadline to file comments with the Federal Election Commission regarding Internet Communication is exactly one week away. Sixty days sure fly by when you’re having fun. Here's what's going on and what you can do to help.

Marketers sit up and listen each time a new report emerges on the best day to send e-mail marketing to consumers and supporters. A difference in one or two percent in open and click-through rates can mean the difference between winning and losing, profitability and failure. Two reports in 2004, summarized at EmailSherpa, bestowed the “best day” award to Monday mornings.

Marketers responded, flooded our inboxes on Mondays, and response rates – both open and click-through – tanked:

[Source: MarketingVOX]

However, new research reported today in MarketingVox seems to indicate that there might not actually be a “best day” anymore. While open rates still fluctuate slightly based on the day of week, e-mails sent Monday through Friday seem to have fairly similar open-rates. Click-through rates have evened out, as well:

On the heels of Pew Internet & American Life Project’s announcement that blogs many not have had the impact we would have expected on the last election cycle, research compiled by eMarketer this week indicates that Pew’s numbers on “blog awareness” could be too conservative. According to four independent surveys, “blog awareness” could be as high as 63 percent. Pew pegs awareness at a mere 38 percent.

Here’s the data inverted:

At the same time, I couldn’t help but notice a recent Hewlett-Packard study that found that 10% of small businesses surveyed said they now include blogs as part of their overall marketing strategies. The survey was conducted last week and included responses from more than 400 small businesses. Small businesses, it seems, are way ahead of traditional advertisers when it comes to understanding the importance of blog marketing.

George Washington University's Institute for Politics, Democracy & The Internet, in collaboration with the Center for Democracy & Technology, have announced that they will host a panel discussion on the Federal Election Commission next Wednesday, May 11, in Washington, DC.

IPDI and CTD have invited three prominent election lawyers to help bloggers and citizens understand the ramifications of the FEC's recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Internet Communications.

In attendance will be:

- Ken Gross - Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and CNN analyst on election law.

- Robert F. Bauer - Partner, Perkins Coie, and Counsel to the Democratic Senatorial and Congressional Campaign Committees

- Don Simon - Partner, Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry LLP, and Counsel to Democracy 21