Online politics in the mid-aughts centered on anti-Bush sentiment and Obama

Evidence

“Online politics” of the mid-aughts, journalist Ben Smith observed, “was basically synonymous first with opposition to President George W. Bush and then with the name of a young senator from Illinois, Barack Obama.” At just forty-six years old, Senator Obama was known for a rousing 2004 speech at the Democratic National Convention and his unambiguous opposition to the Iraq War. Unlike most politicians of his era, Obama combined youthful charisma with powerful oratory, making him a hero to the burgeoning online liberal movement known as the netroots. The Huffington Post endorsed Obama early, reflecting the digital groundswell of support. He became the first “hip” candidate in decades; Terry Richardson photographed him for the cover of Vibe magazine. — W. David Marx, Blank Space, 201