Social networking site MySpace will hold a Presidential primary on January 1 & 2, 2008, before any official state primaries. Every user will be asked to vote for their favorite candidate.

Publicity stunt? In part, probably.

Will it influence the official primaries? Likely.

What's key now is recognition that MySpace isn't just for kids any more:

• The majority of MySpace's 165,000+ users are of voting age and have a higher engagement rate for civic and social activity when compared to other Internet users.

• Nearly 65 million Americans visit MySpace every month

• More than 85% of them are of voting age. (1)

• MySpace users 18-years of age or older are nearly three times more likely than average Web users to interact online with a public official or candidate. (2)
  

• MySpace users are 42% more likely to view online video relating to politics or public affairs, 35% more likely to research politics and campaign information online, and 44% more likely to listen to online audio/radio related to politics/public affairs. (2)
  

(1) comScore Media Metrics

(2) Nielsen//NetRatings