Those who need money are often more receptive to Internet fund-raising.

With the incendiary combination of huge government contracts, Internet fund-raising and appeals based on mass disasters, the charity business has entered a new age.

You can't just power your way through March 7 on Internet fund-raising and 'a message that's caught fire.'

And the next evolution of Internet fund-raising and activism - combined with old-fashioned discipline - might resuscitate the dark horse.

Although Howard Dean set the pace during the primaries, raising roughly $20 million, no one capitalized more on Internet fund-raising than Mr. Kerry.

"I don't know how much we can generalize about Internet fund-raising in the future from this single experience," Mr. Rohde said.

Mr. Bush's campaign treasury received a significant boost by the campaign's new emphasis on Internet fund-raising.

The aides working on Internet fund-raising also intensified their efforts, and launched a drive to raise $10 million in 10 days.

Mr. Kerry has in recent days broken records Dr. Howard Dean set for Internet fund-raising.

He and a few other young men rented a modest suite in an office park and prepared for months of Internet fund-raising, video production, and takeout pizza.