Hypothesis

Hypothesis

The 2008 presidential election has been shaped by online networks that seem grassroots but are actually coordinated [or cultivated] by sophisticated digital operatives working closely with the Obama and McCain campaigns. With their direction, these networks have brought in millions of dollars in small donations, coordinated disenchanted Clinton voters who now back McCain, and given a voice to Palin supporters confident of her ability to lead. They also provide the perfect echo chamber to highlight talking points and embarrassing viral videos that are often produced by people linked to the campaigns.

Notes...

I think the network analysis will help us narrow this down. For example, I think there is more to work with on the McCain side than Obama's. Obama's infrastructure for a grassroots network is more openly part of his campaign, whereas McCain operatives avoid direct links to the PUMA and pro-Palin Lipstick networks.

I haven't done too much work on the video part of this hypothesis, but I do have some fairly concrete examples that would have to be fact-checked as much as possible.