• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, December 8, 2008

Now that the election is over, what will happen to the Obama campaign's huge email list (and social networks) that helped it raise some $500 million?

"It's such a huge asset and it's not being taken lightly, but the final decision is really Barack's in terms of what's going to happen," said Stephen Geer, director of email and online fundraising, for the campaign.

Geer said the debate continues, but the answer will be in one of two directions:

1) Have Obama take it with him to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to incorporate within his presidency.

But that comes with the eventual loss of control. While the White House could use the it to drum up support for initiatives such as universal health care and overturning the ban on stem cell research, the list would then become the property of the federal government -- and could be used by future administrations.

"I think it's highly unlikely that will happen," Geer said.

2) Use the list and social networks as a basis for creating a standalone, organizing community such as MoveOn.org.

Such an an Internet-based advocacy organization could come under the umbrella of the Democratic National Committee, where it could serve as a viral marketing apparatus for Obama and fellow Democrats going forward.

Geer said that MoveOn's database pales compared to Obama for America's.

"We are so much larger and so much more active that if we moved into their space that would be seismic," he said.