CyberActivism at Work

Within minutes of the end of President Obama's speech on Health Care Reform, the following email was sent out to rally the troops (so to speak):

Friend --

I just finished laying out my plan for health reform at a joint session of Congress. Now, I'm writing directly to you because what happens next is critical -- and I need your help.

Change this big will not happen because I ask for it. It can only come when the nation demands it. Congress knows where I stand. Now they need to hear from you.

Add your voice: Ask your representatives to support my plan for real health reform in 2009:

http://my.barackobama.com/SupportReform

The heart of my plan is simple: bring stability and security to Americans who already have health insurance, guarantee affordable coverage for those who don't, and rein in the cost of health care.

Tonight, I offered a specific plan for how to make it happen. I incorporated the best ideas from Democrats and Republicans to create a plan that's bold, practical, and represents the broad consensus of the American people.

We've come closer to real health reform in the last few months than we have in the last 60 years. But those who profit from the status quo -- and those who put partisan advantage above all else -- will fight us every inch of the way.

We do not seek that fight, but we will not shrink from it. The stakes are too high to let scare tactics cloud the debate, or to allow partisan bickering to block the path. Your voice, right now, is essential.

See my full plan and call on your representatives to support it:

http://my.barackobama.com/SupportReform

Ours is not the first generation to understand the dire need for health reform. And I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Also, within minutes of the heckle heard 'round the world, the name, phone number, email address, website and Twitter information for Republican Congressman Joe Wilson was flung far and wide. Rumor has it that his website crashed from the load of disapproving messages. Within half an hour he had apologized. Shortly thereafter, his opponent in the next election, Democrat Rob Miller, started reaping fundraising benefits. He was as $6229 when I first went to ActBlue's site; I refreshed the page, the total was $8759. What is it now?