gop://theinternet.ohno

Watch out, everyone! Republicans have discovered the Internet!

There have been a couple of stories in the past few days about how the GOP is starting to acknowledge the burgeoning power (read: potential for political risk exposure) of the blogosphere and the internet. I knew they were behind Democrats in technological machinations, but I didn't realize the gap was this pronounced.

Take, for example, this story on the immigration debate and its many ups and downs. Of note and worthy of the reader's attention is that fact that Karl Rove has pushed for the GOP to make "more use of the blogosphere on immigration than it has on any issue since President Bush took office."

Is it really news that they're talking to bloggers for what seems like the first time? Sure, Republicans have blogs, but they aren't nearly as pervasive in the culture as they are in Democratic politics. A fundamental technological clumsiness (and a huge political mistake) contributed to George Allen's eventual defeat when he was YouTubed during the Macaca debacle, and I don't know that I see nearly as much involvement by actual elected officials in blogs on the GOP side as I do on the liberal side. This is mostly because they don't care or don't think blogs are important. Or at least, they haven't until the last six months or so.

So I take a little ironic enjoyment out of the issuance of "Guidance On How To Avoid Ending Up Like George Allen," in which the party organization encourages outreach to bloggers and recommends videotaping every. single. event. Not just yours, mind you — the opposition's, as well.

We have had the lead in online activism since its inception. Kos and MyDD lead an army of liberals with email addresses and smartphones who liveblog their candidates from anywhere. With these new developments, it would not surprise me to see droves of corporate-funded campaign camera crews stalking after Democratic candidates in 2008, non-union workers covered in sponsorship stickers for Home Depot and Wal-Mart who constantly heckle, have nationwide wi-fi, and know how to take a punch. The GOP may not have to fight for the lead in grassroots online activism and blogosphere penetration. They may simply purchase the Internet and install Internet Explorer on Channel 2 of every HDTV, with two choices for a homepage: NewsMax or the Drudge Report.

Update: I just saw this: Not only are they discovering the internet, but now McCain has discovered the wonders of claiming URLs, as is evidenced by the many many variations of MITT VS FACT his team recently registered.