Democrats carp over Clinton’s campaign spending http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2006/11/democrats_carp_.html

When Sen. Hillary Clinton was burning through $36 million in a Senate campaign she couldn't’t lose, the reasoning was that the resulting landslide would build momentum and attract contributors for a 2008 presidential run.

She’s also being criticized for how the money was spent: about $1 million each for her pollster and communications strategist. Then there’s the $13,000 for flowers and $27,000 for valet parking.

To revise the OZ line, “we’re not in Arkansas anymore”. (not quite the same ring but hey). On the other hand she hasn’t got to NH or Iowa yet either. A lot of money to raise and roads to travel to the big house on Penna. Ave. In that scenerio, what does NY get out of it? Can anyone still name her opponent?

Maybe the story won't be the campaign but the money.

Venture a guess on the pollster and strategist takes next go-a-round. Obama, are you paying attention? And is there anyway she can bypass the cumbersome nomination process? - 'Why bother with the nomination, why not just ascend to it?'

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/11/22/141137.shtml?s=ic

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006

Edwards, Obama Campaign by the Book

By the NewsMax.com Staff

Both Edwards and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama insist they have yet to decide whether they are running for president, but both are drawing big crowds as they follow the modern script of a White House candidate and head out on nationwide book tours.

Is this it, what we are left with to inspire campaigns, book tours? Shudder to think of Gingrich and his ordeal. Pop one out before campaign and one even while serving the public. All par for the course in politics 101 today.

"Book tours have become a basic staple of the presidential process," said Chris Lehane, a Democratic strategist who has worked on several presidential campaigns. "At some level, the success of these books is a gauge and a measuring stick with how popular these candidates are with the public, as if it were a primary."

When do we start “electing” by NYT bestseller list?