It's interesting that McCain was vastly outspent on TV by Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani, and yet is on the cusp of the nomination.
I have a new piece in the Nation on new organizing models that have emerged since 2004. It takes the angle of looking at the technology of field, but the larger story is that we are seeing the first significant change to the architecture of politics since direct mail in the 1970s. There are an interrelated series of improved technologies, activist networks, new institutions, and better talent that has rejuvenated progressive politics. But a lot of what is happening is that broadcast TV is dying; senior field people kept telling me that the focus of politics is moving to targeted word of mouth communication and away from 30 second ads.
This shift is hitting a good deal more than Presidential campaigns or even political campaigns in general, it is tapping into all of politics, including issue fights and legislation. So it's interesting to see Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani getting torched in a fight even though they are the broadcast TV champs.
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