Tonight I am taking part in a PhIMA panel discussion titled Election '08: Can the internet influence voters enough to determine the election? Here are the details:

The internet has established itself as a credible medium for mobilizing activists and raising money, but is this just a soap box for preaching to the choir?
The election of 2008 may well be decided by whether a candidate can engage the Web's younger demographic (traditionally apathetic to politics) and drive significant numbers to the polls.
Join NBC's Steve Highsmith and a Blue Ribbon panel as we explore and deconstruct the role that online has played in the past, as well as industry predictions for the internet's impact on the 2008 vote.

Panelists include:
J.J. Balaban - Political Consultant, The Campaign Group
Alex Urevick-Ackelsberg - Blogger, Political Activist
Brian Donlen - Web Consultant
Joe Weinlick - Chief Brand Strategist, VP, Brownstein Group
Jonathan Karush - President and Founder, Liberty Concepts

When: Thursday, August 9th from 6pm to 8pm, FREE admission! Refreshments will be served.
Location: The Independence Visitor Center, ballroom and terrace 6th and Market Streets, Philadelphia, PA

It should be a great discussion, though the framing seems a bit off to me. I'm not sure what role "online" can play (is it a medium? a state of being? a set of interactions?), and the internet affects people and society on so many levels, it seems like the discussion could go all over the place.

But anyway, it should be a great discussion, and I hope to see you there!