A recent BBC news story discussed Barack Obama’s 5-million member strong e-mail list and its potential for everything from fund-raising to pushing through a legislative agenda.

The US FEC (Federal Election Commission) has been stymied in its attempts to track and register his contributions because 1.5 million people have contributed more than $200 million dollar, at an average of $100 each. So powerful has been his use of grass roots fundraising, that the day after clinching the nomination, Obama announced through the DNC (Democratic National Committee) that no DNC member will take any lobbyist or PAC (Political Action Committee) funding for any of the races this fall. If lobbyists are held at bay by Obama and Co. imagine how different the political landscape will be.

The power of YouTube has not escaped the notice of Number 10 and those wishing to occupy it. The two year run-up to the 2010 general election has seen large Conservative (Tory) gains in local elections and PM Gordon Brown and the Labour Party are in a fight to survive after dominating UK politics since summer of 1998 when John Major and the Tories were swept from office by Tony Blair and “New Labour.”

The UK seems to be suffering from the same Labour “fatigue,” as befell the Bush, Clinton and John Howard (Australia) dynasties. Pendulums swing, cycles run their course of highs and lows and it would appear the Tories have a temporary upper hand with their young, hip, vibrant new leader replacing a string of effective but bland and colourless party bosses.

Labour is not lying down and this past week their beleaguered Prime Minster, Gordon Brown introduced his new video response – Prime Minister’s Answers. Said Mr. Brown: “I am here to answer your questions. Politicians get the chance in Prime Minister’s Questions. I think it is time the public had a chance.” The deadline for the first questions is June 21, and Mr. Brown promised to respond “at some point soon”.

Not to be outdone, Tory leader David Cameron launched his own e-blog, WEBCAMERON. As with most things of late from the Tories, it seems a bit too forced an attempt to play everyman. It was though funny to watch the scripted questions.

Brits detest smooth. It is hard to see how the UK will go back to the Tories but like the US election in ’04, there may be too many people voting AGAINST Labour rather than FOR the Tories and that backfired giving Bush a second term.

Of course it rather telling that this outtake scene of him stopping his young child from interrupting received 5x the number of YouTube viewers as the more dry, staged political commentary and, he insisted quite publicly, he did not spank his unruly, attention demanding child.

Oh if only Gordon Brown would respond to a light tap on the bottom by crying and going away he’d probably get his way a lot easier…