Follow the Money

Bill (Gillhespy) - Thanks for your input, Bill.  I disagree.  What has Mrs Clinton accomplished other than her campaign ? That is not just a comment on her - I have written that I feel the background of a Senator is of questionable use for an executive position - and we have three to choose from.  So, I am impressed with Senator Obama's campaign from the standpoint of fundraising, innovation, campaign decisions and strategy, organization, management, compliance, getting candidates for delegate on all ballots and goal setting.  I feel that Mrs Clinton, in comparison, has done a poor job of management for the smartest woman alive - as the media used to call her.  I think the comparison is very relevant. 

(but I will vote for McCain anyway.)

Bill (Burress) - I hate to disagree with Karl Rove - that is a low percentage bet - but McCain has the opportunity to place paid media prior to the conventions if he has the money.  What I was actually referring to in my post is that the fund raising limits and accounting are separate for pre-convention and post-convention.  The short run to the election from the convention will help McCain stretch his money if he accepts federal funds and  therefore accepts limits too.  (I think the number is $31 million for fed funds). In the normal election cycle there would be an extra month after the July or August convention.  This year the Republican convention is the first week in September. 

At the moment the Democrats are getting negative publicity with the negative campaigns of the candidates.  As long as that continues, the more polarized the party may become - and the more bitterness may remain after the final decision - which may come at the conventions if Hillary continues to fight over Florida and Michigan.  So I apparently disagree with the master (Karl Rove) twice - I think the more they tear at each other and the more the supproters of each candidate become vested in their guy (or gal) - the more benefit to the Republicans.  Right now McCain should be trying to reach the conservative base to get fundraising.  After the convention - he will need to go after independents, moderate democrats and disaffected democrats who feel they got robbed at the convention when their candidate lost. 

The other wild card is the presence of third party candidates.  Bob Barr (former rep from GA) as the possible standard bearer for the libertarians - which has not occurred yet, could be a big problem for McCain and could elect the democrat (I assume Obama).  (Ralph Nader could help McCain - but not as much)  Joe Lieberman speaking at the Republican convention may be a real plus in pulling those in the center toward us. 

THanks to all for stopping by

 

Rich - glad to see you.  Feel free to stop by any time.  The costs of the campaigns certainly would dismay the founding fathers.  But rough and tumble politics for the Presidency have always been a feature of the American Scene.  In the arena of politics, the money guarantees the ability to express one's opinions.  But current spending levels by all parties is staggering.  I favor the fewest possible controls to assure freedom for political speech - but would favor much more stringent and prompt disclosure of all contributions.

Simon - neither has she.

[UPDATE]

In the day following the expected Clinton win in Pennsylvania, her campaign reports ten million dollars raised on the internet.

 

< sigh >

 

run a political campaign or rebuild New Orleans... now let me see.

Thanks Mary, you voice an opinion shared by many

You are in good company, Mike.  Many feel that Senator McCain should pick and announce his running mate sooner rather than later.

I am concerned that the dynamics of the race after the conventions will be different depending on the candidate  who finally makes the cut on the Democrat side.  So the selection of a running mate may be different depending on whether we are running against the liberal socialist from Illinois or the liberal socialist from New York.  I have been one to express the thought that he keep his powder dry until we know who he is running against.  But then I complain about lack of fund-raising.  I see the inconsistency in my position.  I also note that I do not recall such an abbreviated  general election season with the conventions scheduled so late.  So you may be right on this one and I may come around in my view soon.  But not yet.  I will let the Dems feed on themselves for a while more.