Evidence of Mr. Bush's desire to kill a prospective political gnat with a howitzer is seen in his hot-dogs-at-$2,000-a-plate kickoff dinner to raise as much as $200 million in campaign funds -- which would be twice his record take of $100 million -- for a primary election period in which he doesn't even have an opponent.
By not accepting federal funding for this period, Mr. Bush will be free of spending limits imposed on the Democrats who accept it under federal campaign finance law. Under the same law, however, whatever he raises can only be spent up to the Republican National Convention, which starts Aug. 31, 2004. So in that period, from January through August, the Bush campaign can be expected to bombard the eventual Democratic nominee with an unprecedented assault of negative advertising while bolstering an already solid organizational base.
Reminds me of what Gray Davis did in California--bought himself the weakest possible opponent by intervening in the Republican primary. Will Rove do the same?
Looks like 2004 will be the ugliest election money can buy. Brace yourselves. And get ready for plenty more photo ops from President Codpiece.