Is offline GOTV going to become obsolete?

Will the internet and its many uses in political campaigns ever fully replace traditional offline GOTV efforts? I personally do not think so. Frank Watkin's article does a great job of describing how computer technology may be applied to a political campaign - in the case of his example, an Illinois congressional campaign - specifically, how this technology can be used to target potential voters. In my experience on the campaign trail, I have seen such targeted techniques used in campaigns. They are quite fascinating and effective. Even James Verini and Matt Bai offer up descriptions of the Bush campaigns effectiveness utilizing technology and marketing techniques to get out their vote on election day in 2004. There is no doubt these techniques are important, but they must exist in addition to offline activities as well.

For example, the well disciplined and organized Bush effort in 2004 would not have been a reality if it were not for the actual people on the ground month and weeks before Election Day. Victory would not have been a relality without actual people on the ground implementing the targeted approaches these new technological advantages provide for modern campaigns. I also do not think that Americans will ever really tolerate not being personally and physically involved in the election of their leaders. If classic GOTV techniques were ever to become the exception to an American political campaign, rather than the rule, something of the campaign would be lost. While these new technologies will help in voter targeting and marketing for campaigns, the classic campaign characteristics of workers passing out literature, volunteers going door-to-door and candidates making personal appearances and pleas for support at local events and locations, will and should never die.