Four years ago at this time, the early adopters among us were just starting to get used to the regular flow of email from the Obama campaign. The missives were actually exciting to get, because they seemed less like appeals for money than a chance to join a movement.
In the end, no matter how many hail mary passes McCain throws, there's no substitute for the energy, enthusiasm, and organization of Obama and his campaign's ground game.
The gathering here is an example of the way politics is changing, as supporters both use and bypass mainstream media and traditional political groups, mixing online networking with old-style street demonstrations.