Follow the Money and Wait for the Call

I believe it was All The Kings Men where I first heard “follow the money”. Ol’ Deep Throat had a point then and today he would sound brilliant as pundits went nuts over the release of first quarter fundraising numbers from wanna-be presidential candidates.

Hillary Clinton lived up to the prowess suggested in her surname with a record-breaking $26 million dollars. To put that in perspective, seven years ago during the ’00 election $6 million was considered earth shattering. Do keep in mind though that she came in with about $4 million from her Senate campaign and – let’s keep it real – homegirl has been running for President for six years.

Mitt Romney showed and proved with a surprising $23 million. Again, for perspective, stand outside on the corner and see how many people you have to ask before you find one who knows who Mitt Romney is and where he is from.

Yeah.

The Obama camp, in a crafty PR move, decided to keep mum and give the day to Clinton and Co. However, some are suggesting he is in the $20 million range. Perspective check: he has refused donations from lobbyists and PACs. No one else in the race can say they turned away money.

But what does all of this mean?

Well, it means that size definitely matters. Here, the apparatus on the line are war chests – the amount of cash each campaign has to buy the all important airtime to worry the hell out of us between now and next year.

It is also a mental game. Everyone wants a piece of a potential winner so coming out early with returns that say “these many” think you can win, encourages others to jump on board.

It also generates press and that elusive “buzz”.

I expect that Obama’s campaign will announce tomorrow and the figure will be enough to have Hillary spanking Bill’s bare bottom. Things were not supposed to happen this way for the junior Senator from New York.

Barring one dazzling DNC speech and an amazing grassroots effort she was supposed to be coasting to the nomination.

Competition, though, is good – if only for the American people.

I don’t mind the money so much. Hey, I got five on Obama! My first monetary political donation EVER.

I do mind being taken for granted. If nothing else, each candidate now has to work a little bit harder to reach, not just across the party line, but also to the assumed “party faithful”.

I am expecting my first call any day now.