"Obama rides personal, national political wave"

[BluegrassDem]

Obama is consulting with some experienced political strategists. Among them are Chicago-based David Axelrod, a senior adviser to John Edwards’ 2004 presidential campaign; David Plouffe, a former aide to House Democratic leader Richard Gephardt, and Steve Hildebrand, who ran Vice President Al Gore’s campaign in Iowa in 2000.

‘He can attract the talent’
Political operatives and fundraisers predict that a candidate who wants to be credible as a presidential hopeful must have at least $20 million in the bank by June. Obama is a proven fundraiser, amassing nearly $15 million in his 2004 Senate race and more than $4 million for his political action committee.

“If he decides to run ... he can put the money together and he can attract the talent,” Axelrod said.



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11442713/