Since 2008, the GOP has seen a complete transformation in the way campaigns use the Internet. John McCain’s campaign was way behind the Obama camp in all facets of Internet campaigning. 2009 saw GOP campaigns embracing new media, online advertising, and several other technologically advanced practices to help close the gap.

The Scott Brown for Senate Campaign took Internet campaigning a step further with cloud computing (something that isn’t getting a lot of attention). Cloud computing is basically an online collaboration, in which information is stored remotely on the Internet, so it can be accessed by multiple users.   Brown’s web guru, Rob Willington, said “Obama’s campaign was powered by hope, we were powered by Google.” Every piece of information gathered by field directors, communications staffers, and new media personnel was stored on a Google platform, thus making the info accessible from anywhere with an Internet connection. Cloud computing made the Brown campaign quicker and more efficient, both on the Internet and on the ground, which contributed heavily to their dramatic victory.

By using Google, the campaign didn’t have to develop or test new software or databases, or worry about someone’s computer crashing and losing all of the information. Google’s infrastructure has gone through rigorous testing and been modified multiple times, making it a reliable and efficient place for campaigns to house their materials. Google also features numerous tutorials in both print and video for their applications, making it quick and easy for staffers and volunteers to learn the system.

Cloud computing through Google is clearly the future of campaigning. Google’s Elections and Issue Advocacy department has been growing rapidly since 2007, and we expect them to continue pushing the boundaries of campaigning – a Google specialty.

–Chris Walling, Political Editor