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The MoveOn Effect

7/9/07, 5:08 pm EST

Plus seven percent. Wow.

Abstract: One of the hallmarks of the 2004 presidential election was the unusual emphasis on face-to-face voter mobilization, particularly face-to-face mobilization conducted within neighborhoods or social networks. Unlike previous studies of face-to-face voter mobilization, which have focused largely on nonpartisan campaigns conducted during midterm or local elections, this study assesses the effects of a multi-state campaign organized by MoveOn.org, an organization that allied itself with the Democratic Party in 2004 to aid presidential candidate John Kerry. A regression discontinuity analysis of 41,654 voters in nine swing states demonstrates that neighbor-to-neighbor mobilization substantially increased turnout during the 2004 presidential election. Contact with MoveOn volunteers increased turnout by approximately seven percentage-points. This finding corroborates experimental findings showing the effectiveness of door-to-door canvassing but contradicts results suggesting that such mobilization is ineffective in the context of high-salience elections.


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The Sound and the Fury | 7/9/2007, 5:15 pm EST

Thank you for all your help MoveOn.org!

From your friend,
President Kerry

PS. BTW, yes, I HAVE received your last 2437 solicitations for donations.

Move'n On | 7/9/2007, 8:10 pm EST

I went to a MoveOn.org pic-nic/BBQ on Saturday for Live Earth. I have to admit it was kind of cool to be hanging out with a bunch of old rich people that wanted to talk about politics and the environment (spirituality got discussed as well).

It was also amazing–as a communications major–to see the evolution of Woodstock. Instead of hippies in a field getting muddy, you have a global audience watching on television, or live at the concert, and talking on their computers, cell phones, and even face to face. I think MoveOn.org had something like 10,000+ pic-nic/BBQs in over 120 countries.

What an amazing event! I think Al Gore even out did the Princes.

Anonymous | 7/10/2007, 1:14 am EST

“I think Al Gore even out did the Princes.”

Estimates from the UK press say that the Gore/Iphone commercial fest audience was only a third of the Diana concert. I think the old rich hippies put something in your BBQ.

DELTA WILDMAN | 7/11/2007, 3:58 pm EST

WELL, WHEN DID SMOKING A JOINT GO OUT OF STYLE?? GOOD GOD, I WENT TO LIVE EARTH,, AND FOR A HIPPY CONVENTION, WHERE WAS ALL THE WEED??
I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED..
IT ALL KIND OF WENT DOWN HILL FROM THERE,,
POLITICS ASIDE,,,,,,,, UH..
WHAT WAS THIS SUPPOSE TO BE ABOUT??
GLOBAL WARMING?? BUT SOMEONE FORGOT TO BRING THE STUFF..
I SHOULD HAVE FIGGURED AS MUCH,, JOHN LENNON WOULD LOOK UPON THIS WTH UTTER CONTEMPT!!!!

DELTA WILDMAN | 7/11/2007, 3:58 pm EST

WELL, WHEN DID SMOKING A JOINT GO OUT OF STYLE?? GOOD GOD, I WENT TO LIVE EARTH,, AND FOR A HIPPY CONVENTION, WHERE WAS ALL THE WEED??
I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED..
IT ALL KIND OF WENT DOWN HILL FROM THERE,,
POLITICS ASIDE,,,,,,,, UH..
WHAT WAS THIS SUPPOSE TO BE ABOUT??
GLOBAL WARMING?? BUT SOMEONE FORGOT TO BRING THE STUFF..
I SHOULD HAVE FIGGURED AS MUCH,, JOHN LENNON WOULD LOOK UPON THIS WTH UTTER CONTEMPT!!!!

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