The political press is beginning to notice the technological shift that has begun to shape campaign technology, the tool box of modern American democracy. In National Journal’s Congress Daily online bulletin, writer Mark Wegner noted that the momentum in Congress to require documentation of bundling of contributions to candidates for federal office could be accommodated by sophisticated data and software systems that service the political campaign industry. “…Even before the bill got mired in pre-conference fights over earmark restrictions, technology had long since overtaken the congressional debate. Dean Phillips, president of Aristotle Inc., had already rolled out Aristotle 360, new political software that did just what Congress was debating: It followed the money. ‘Within our software, you track that closely. You really do know who these people are, because they are critical to the success of your organization,’ Phillips said.”

Other excerpts of Wegner’s insightful report include:

"Aristotle Inc. has been part of a quiet revolution in political campaigns and fundraisers over the past quarter-century that has helped presidential candidates post the multi-million-dollar fundraising tallies they have reported in the past week. Political software doesn't create the same buzz that products like the Apple iPhone and Windows Vista do on the street, but the technology has become a fact of life for Washington's money men and women…"

"Befitting its anonymity and political impact, the company's offices are just a gavel's throw from the Capitol in non-descript offices above Burrito Brothers on Pennsylvania Avenue.  Phillips founded the company in 1983 with his brother John, after the latter lost two underdog Democratic campaigns for a heavily Republican House seat in Connecticut. The failing campaign attempted to gain an advantage by writing software that allowed the tracking of supporters and the issues that motivated them..."

"Lobbying campaigns can use its grassroots tools to boost the reach of Astroturf lobbying campaigns. Advocacy organizations or industry PACs can use the software to locate members, donors or potential supporters in key states…."

Readers with a CongressDaily subscription can view the full article available at: http://nationaljournal.com/pubs/congressdaily/am070718.htm#14