Obama e-mobilises for the future

The US presidential election may be over but Barack Obama is staying in touch with his Internet legions and mobilising them for the future.

The Obama election campaign last week began a detailed e-mail survey of millions of supporters asking for their feedback to "help shape the future of this movement".

"Share your campaign experience and your thoughts on the best way to keep supporting our agenda for change," said an e-mail from Obama campaign manager David Plouffe.

The e-mail includes a link to a four-page questionnaire, which is also available at my.barackobama.com/whatsnext, which asks such questions as: "how would you like to see this organisation move forward in the months and years ahead?"

It provides the strongest indication yet that an Obama White House intends to continue to rely on the Internet base that helped him win election to help govern the country and pass legislation through the US Congress.

"You've built an organisation in your community and across the country that will continue to work for change - whether it's by building grassroots support for legislation, backing state and local candidates, or sharing organising techniques to effect change in your neighborhood," Plouffe said.

To participate in the online survey, respondents are required to provide an e-mail address, zip code and occupation. They can also voluntarily provide their address, phone number, gender and year of birth.

The goals include "helping Barack's administration pass legislation through grassroots efforts" and "helping elect state and local candidates who share the same vision for our country".

The survey also asks what issues respondents would be interested in volunteering for, or organising around. They include such things as civil rights, national security, education, election reform, global warming, healthcare, lesbian and gay issues, reproductive rights and the war in Iraq.

Obama relied heavily on the Web for this month's victory over John McCain - from organising volunteers to fundraising and communicating - and expectations have been high that he will use the Internet again to further his agenda once he takes office on January 20.

The official website of the Obama transition team, change.gov, also invites visitors to "share your story and your ideas, and be part of bringing positive lasting change to this country".

Change.gov will be a source of information as well as a place to participate in decisions being made about your government, the site advises US voters.