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Internet Puts the 'e' in Recall Moreover, the Internet creates an echo-chamber effect, amplifying political noise across various forms of media. Most talk-radio shows now have an online component, and they use their Web sites as repositories to get information to their fans and listeners. Fans of the "John and Ken Show" can go to http://www.JohnandKen.com , where they'll be fed news and information of the recall. And Web logs — "blogs" — the increasingly popular online diaries, are fast becoming another recall tool. PrestoPundit.com and similar sites have a small audience, but they have outsized influence because journalists and news junkies spend a considerable amount of time searching blogs for story ideas, commentary and political dish. When an issue catches fire in the blogosphere, it can boost the buzz and prolong the life cycle of a story. Just ask Trent Lott. Of course, it helps that the recall effort has that traditional political power source: tons of money. And that Davis has presided over terrible economic times. But no one doubts that technology has greased the process. Back in February, when the idea was first floated, most folks thought a recall would be a joke. Four months later, most observers think that enough citizens will weigh in just in time to yield the magic number — 897,158 valid signatures — and force a vote. And the recall forces attribute 20% of the response to e-mail. But although technology can generate wide support and signatures, that doesn't necessarily translate into that other kind of political action: voting. Downloading a form and putting a stamp on it are one thing; it's another thing entirely to motivate citizens to go to the polls. And Davis' enemies should know that actual voter mobilization plays right into the governor's political strengths. He and his allies are launching a $4-million campaign to fight back. But no matter what happens with the recall effort, Davis is probably rethinking his enthusiasm for the Internet as a political tool, even if he was right. It's on the verge of transforming the way Californians govern themselves.
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