The Pew Internet & American Life Project has just released a report and a commentary about the internet’s role in the 2004 election. The report (.pdf document)is available by clicking here and is based on a post-election survey and documents how and why the internet became an essential part of American politics in 2004. Fully 75 million Americans - 37% of the adult population and 61% of online Americans - used the internet to get political news and information, discuss candidates and debate issues in emails, or participate directly in the political process by volunteering or giving contributions to candidates. And the commentary by internet-and-politics scholar (and their colleague) Michael Cornfield is available by clicking here.