This past December, Keith Emis created a video on YouTube telling the tale of Arkanasas Governor Mike Huckabee's release of convicted rapist, Wayne Dumond. Upon Mr. Dumond's release, he went to Missouri and murdered a woman, Carol Sue Shields. In the video, Ms. Shields' Mother, Lois Davidson, who blames Governor Huckabee for her daughter's death.
The video garnered so much attention, and received so many donations, Mr. Evans formed a non-profit 527 group, Victims Voice 527, which was able to buy advertising time during the South Carolina Republican debates. The ad that was run was a re-shot version of the original YouTube video, and it was hoped it would assist in diminishing Governor Huckabee's lead in the polls for that state's upcoming primary election.
With the final election for the United States President still 11 months off, and this video garnered so much attention in just over a month's time, will we see more occurrences such as this? The original video was shot on Mr. Emis' own money, and gathered enough support to end up being a nationally run commercial during a major debate. Perhaps the common man does finally have a venue that allows their voice to be heard at every level of the United States political process.
(via Wired)
It should prove to be an interesting political cycle, that's for sure.