In "Slatecard: Growing Republican Netroots," Michelle Oddis of Human Events has a large piece on the launch of Slatecard. The story is very well-placed on the homepage of Human Events that I hope you will check out.

Her comprehensive story does a good job of covering why we need Slatecard now (liberals have raised $30M through ActBlue), how the site works, and the importance of the issue badges (qualify the candidates). But of particular interest, Michelle is the first to report on the important role Slatecard will play with regard to "baby bundlers."

Slatecard.com attempts to use the same technique that has helped to advance campaign fundraising in record amounts for Barack Obama called “baby-bundling.”

Baby-bundling, All explained, is what happens when people support candidates in smaller donations, but by encouraging others in their network (by way of internet) to support their chosen candidates as well, accumulate larger amounts through these smaller donations.

“People are able to use our site to help bundle contributions,” said All “not everyone can contribute $2,300, or smile with the candidate at the picture in the photo line at the VIP reception, but there is a lower barrier of entry that Slatecard can help people get into and that’s to contribute 5-10 dollars.”

“Every month, or just once, whatever you can give -- every single dollar counts these days in politics -- and the fact that we are losing elections by less than 2% in many instances, it just goes to show that resources count,” said All.

The story of President George W. Bush's success in 2004 with regard to fundraising was his smart strategy to tap key mega-donors as "Rangers" and "Pioneers" who were asked to then tap their networks to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the President.

These days, Presidential candidates have not only followed our President's lead but are constantly finding ways to add new levels of support and new ways to find new support. For example, Rudy's network of fundraisers are broken down even further in to different price points and are termed "Pitchers," "Sluggers," "All Stars," and "MVPs." Among others, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have state-of-the-art software tools on their website specifically designed for fundraising through a supporters' personal network.

These state-of-the-art tools being used by the campaigns weren't cheap, free, or created in the basement. They are sophisticated tools to help expand their operation beyond their brick-and-mortar headquarters. And they're working because supporters can help raise money on their own time and they don't have to go to the local headquarters to make phone calls. Team Romney et al. can simply assign tasks, dollop praise often, and keep track of who is doing what all from the comfort of the Internet.

The distributed fundrasing network--the people-powered-movement--that is what I believe the story of 2008 will be. Sure, the Dean campaign will rightfully say that's just old news. But I tell you what, it's not old news on this side of the aisle.

The state-of-the-art technology which I talked about above -- that is the role Slatecard can play for all Republican races: Presidential, Senate, and House (and eventually state and local). Slatecard should be seen as a utility to help enchance and grow a candidate's campaign operation. It works, it's honest, and the issue-based data could be particularly helpful when folks are trying to figure out what appeals are working best.

We're glad to help fill this role.