Though I think that there were many other elements contributing to Obama's success (his grace, his intelligence, smart advisors, Howard Dean's National Democratic Party strategies, the destruction(s) of the past 8 years), I agree with your assessment of the lessons to be learned related to new technologies and community development within his campaign. Fundamental change occured in the United States of America on Tuesday, November 4 2008. However, that change wasn't just because of Obama's campaign - it's been a long time coming. I am hopeful that Obama will be able to move forward with the changes he spoke of in his campaign, but that will require new strategies, perhaps, and different lessons. Aren't the lessons you refer to here specific to an election campaign, and not to governance, in general? Effective governance - will that be possible through creative use of the new technologies and a focus on community organising strategies?