WASHINGTON: Spread John McCain's message online and you could win valuable prizes. That's the essence of his campaign pitch for supporters to join an internet effort with "reward points" akin to those offered by airlines and other businesses.

Senator McCain's website invites visitors to "Spread the Word" about the Republican nominee by sending campaign-supplied comments to blogs and websites under the visitor's screen name. The site offers sample comments ("John McCain has a comprehensive economic plan …") and a list of dozens of suggested destinations. Just cut and paste.

For years, activists and political operatives have used volunteers or paid staff to seed radio call-in shows or letters-to-the-editor pages. It is known as astroturfing; like fake grass, the messages look like they come from the grassroots but are ersatz.

People who sign up for Senator McCain's program receive reward points each time they place a favourable comment on one of the listed websites (subject to verification by his webmasters).

The points can be traded for books signed by Senator McCain, preferred seating at campaign events, even a ride with the candidate on his bus, known as the Straight Talk Express.

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