From CNN Internet Correspondent Abbi Tatton

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In testing the presidential waters, Mark Warner's use of technology and his courting of the online community went above and beyond the outreach of other 2008 Democratic hopefuls.

Even before leaving the Virginia governorship, Warner signed prominent liberal blogger Jerome Armstrong to be the Internet director of his political action committee. In June of this year, Warner not only attended the liberal blogger conference 'Yearly Kos' along with other potential '08 candidates, but threw an extravagant party for attendees - complete with computer-shaped ice sculptures, Elvis impersonators, and a chocolate fountain.

Warner's web outreach occasionally bordered the bizarre: in a political first, a virtual Mark Warner appeared in the popular online community 'Second Life' to be interviewed ... by a virtual reporter.

Prominent liberal blogger Markos Moulitsas of DailyKos.com called today's announcement a 'shocker' and questioned where Warner's online support will now turn. A number of bloggers say that John Edwards - another young, Southern Democrat with a significant web presence - has the most to gain from Warner's announcement today.