The Internet Association is seeking to "revolutionize political fundraising" with the debut of a new online platform allowing Internet users to interact with political candidates and potentially donate to their campaigns.

The website allows users to watch both pre-recorded and live video interviews with candidates. Users can ask questions and, if they like a candidate's positions, donate to the candidate through the site.

The site is modeled after crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo, with running tallies of how much has been raised in contributions for a candidate. Currently only one candidate is listed— Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)—and the site had raised $4,910 for her campaign as of noon Wednesday.

"Just as our member companies have done for countless industries, the Internet Association has set out to revolutionize political fundraising," Internet Association CEO Michael Beckerman said. "This fundamentally internet-based approach will democratize political giving—a process traditionally characterized by exclusivity and an overall lack of transparency—and convert it to a public forum that provides everyday internet voters with the ability to participate in a meaningful way."

In a statement, Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the watchdog group Center for Responsive Politics, applauded the association's "innovative approach" to political fundraising.

"Money by itself isn't inherently evil, but some aspects of modern political fundraising are antidemocratic," Krumholz said. "If this platform leverages technology to reduce the ‘cost' of giving, facilitates more timely disclosure and brings more citizens into open dialogue with their representatives in Washington, it will have enhanced the democratic process."

The platform is located at action.internetassociation.org

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