A Democrat trying to follow Lott had better get funding first

The Clarion-Ledger Editorial, 1/10/8

The caucuses and primaries have begun. The political outcome is yet to be known, but there was one substantial impact in Iowa. TV stations there took in about $40 million from ad sales to Republican and Democratic candidates, nearly double what was spent four years ago. Overall spending to lure the favor of approximately 350,000 caucus participants was $65 million.

What’s that got to do with anything? It shows that for all the hand-wringing and lawmaking for the past 30 years centered on how campaigns are funded, money has not become less crucial to the process. Indeed, it may be doubly crucial.

In Mississippi, it boils down to this: Newly minted Sen. Roger Wicker will have all the funds he needs to win a special election to serve the remainder of former Sen. Trent Lott’s term. Wicker’s fellow Republicans, including Gov. Haley Barbour who appointed him on New Year’s Eve, will see to that. Also, in seven terms representing District 1 of Mississippi in the U.S. House, Wicker has established Washington connections and has the inside track on raising major money.