I think there is a difference between a media hatchet job and political pros, who know how to conduct campaigns, saying that you simply can't wait this long IF you don't already have an organization in place. That's the problem.
People around here act like an army of volunteers is going to run out and join up. Join up where? The organization needs to be in place to enlist them, get information on them, organize them, get them on phones and walking streets with materials (which means up-to-date maps and registration lists), etc. I've worked campaigns---Bush in 2004 had phenomenal organization. People were contacted six months before the general (remember, he was already in office and already had the organization): they had detailed maps with incredible info; armies of walkers with cell phones; and so on.
All of this was PLANNED months before, and the organization was in place months before so it appeared that the volunteers just "showe up." Nothing was further from the truth. I don't think Fred's people have come to grips with this.
1.
(CNN is the Amtrak of News)??? Does that mean that we taxpayers are subsidizing CNN with ridiculous amounts of money???
2. This 'fad' of running for 2+ years for an election as well as the race to be first with their primaries will die a quick death... States and candidates will both question if it is really in their best interest to run out on that limb before the dust and dirt settles.
3. I think candidates will find that tapping so much of their financial resources so early will force them to spend more and more time trying to wring out every cent to just keep their long campaigns going. Not good for candidates, and not good for supporters.
