Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) used ActBlue to raise $900,000 in 2006, doling it out to Democrats nationally. Candidates also use ActBlue to operate their online fundraising. [John Edwards] makes heavy use of ActBlue, having raised $1.07 million so far in his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has raised more than $288,000.

In many instances, individuals set up pages on the ActBlue site and recruit friends to contribute, via credit card, to candidates they tout. ActBlue transmits the money to the selected candidates.

ONLINE ACTIVISTS: "We're trying to make political participation a normal part of people's lives," says [Ben Rahn], left, with [Matt DeBergalis] at ActBlue's office.; PHOTOGRAPHER: Josh Reynolds For The Times