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Draft Wesley Clark

Draft Wesley Clark

One of the most successful netroots movements in American history, DraftWesleyClark.com helped launch the candidacy of General Clark, taking him from 1% in the polls to 22% (and first place) in less than six months - before he was even running.

$1,875,518 pledged

During the course of the draft effort, DraftWesleyClark.com raised nearly $2 million in pledges for a Clark candidacy.

Local organizations popped up everywhere

The effort contained a powerful "offline" component as well, with MeetUp groups in over 100 cities, and the second largest MeetUp membership of any group.

Launched in March 2003 as a simple website by GRE's John Hlinko, DraftWesleyClark.com went on to become one of the most successful grassroots movements in American political history - all through the power of viral marketing. Over the course of six months, the site generated nearly $2 million in pledges for a Clark candidacy, engaged tens of thousands of volunteers through word of mouth marketing, built the second-largest "Meetup" community, and earned worldwide media coverage.

Most importantly, the site took Clark from 1% in the polls to 22% -- and spurred him to declare his candidacy.

The effort was honored in three Pollie Award categories, and received the 2004 "Golden Dot" for "Best Breakout/Impact Internet Movement." For his efforts, Hlinko was honored as the "Rookie of the Year" by the American Association of Political Consultants, and one of the world's top 25, "individuals, organizations and companies that are having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics," by the World Forum on e-Democracy.