How Did the Internet Affect the Health Care Battle of 2009-10?

[Commentary] With the year-long debate over health care reform now entering its denouement (or a new chapter), how do you think the Internet affected the course of the political battle? The Internet forced the process much more into the open. The relatively open process fueled a lot of passionate engagement on all sides, with rightwing blogs, GOP outfits like Freedom Works and Tea Party protesters along with leftwing blogs, Democratic efforts like HCAN and OFA, and MoveOn and the PCCC all turbocharging their efforts by using the latest tools for connecting, coordinating, collaborating, raising money, and moving messages and troops. The overall effect was for many more voices to speak effectively in the process.