Ron Paul’s Internet Director and Finance Director spoke to George Washington University students about online fundraising.  Ron Paul’s campaign has provided a excellent case studies in raising money and organizing people online.  But has yet to translate the digital success into the real world. 

Paul has broken online fund-raising records without media support in a field of more prominent candidates.  He wins almost every online poll and even had a rally in the multiplayer video game World of Warcraft.  For all his successes, Paul’s candidacy has failed to translate into votes.  While he did beat out once front-runner Rudy Giuliani, Paul’s fourth place finishes in early primary states kept him out of serious consideration.

Paul has raised $28 million to Mike Huckabee’s $9 million.  Both are still in the race, but Huckabee has won several states and Paul barely registers.  His online models should be studied, but viewed in the context of how successful his campaign actually was - and remember money doesn’t win elections.

The GWU speakers criticized Barack Obama’s online strategy for its top-down operation.  The candidate’s official website has links to grassroots efforts.  In theory this sounds like a good criticism, but the reality is Obama is winning votes and raising tons of money (online especially), so what exactly is he doing wrong?  He’s not adhering to the strict definition of grassroots?  Who cares? 

The truth is maybe Obama has taken Paul’s internet efforts the step farther by guiding the grassroots efforts so they help the campaign.  Obama continues to attract thousands of supporters to rallies and clobbers Hillary Clinton in caucuses because of his enhanced organization.  While Paul has proven he could win President of Digg, he can’t even get news networks to take him seriously.  Maybe the next lecture can talk about how to get beaten by a candidate with a third of the resources - Religion trumps Technology could be the title.

Republican presidential candidate and apparent internet god Ron Paul will likely be remembered more for his power over Digg than his policy.  The Republican underdog has achieved a rare following of online fanatics who help the candidate raise money and promote him like no other, pushing articles about the candidate to the top of Digg and social bookmarking sites.  For another first, Paul supporters are holding a rally for the candidate in the uncontested land of Azeroth.  Supporters will march through the Whisperwind server on New Year’s Day at 8:30pm EST.

It is unknown if the candidate himself will or can appear (does he have a character and is it a high enough level?).  Regardless, this rally marks another crossover between the real and virtual worlds that Second Life so pretended existed.  People might actually attend this one.

Second Life has been a focus for politicians, with Barak Obama and John Edwards both building campaign centers even with no proof advertising in the social world works (it most likely doesn’t work).

But World of Warcraft offers a different environment for social promotion.  The game encourages constant involvement through monthly subscriptions whereas Second Life is free.  Nine million World of Warcraft subscribers means a good portion actually play the game.  Further, the game offers rewards not only for addictive level play, but for teamwork and socializing - the best way to win battles and gain loot. Second Life is simply a trip to the mall - more fun with friends but just as easy to do alone.

I doubt World of Warcraft can be manipulated by Madison Avenue advertisers in the same way as Second Life - it is a fantasy world and its citizens will not want Coke advertising there.  But World of Warcraft has on paper the potential to be a valuable social networking tool.  But what advertisers will probably forget is Azeroth citizens will network themselves.  Ron Paul didn’t initialize this rally.  His supporters did - true evangelicals for the cause.  And that’s the best kind of promoter anyone can ask for.