Running for the presidency is a massive undertaking. To be successful, the candidate needs an enormous political network of supporters — contributors, volunteers, organizers, and many others. The first challenge any candidate faces when considering a run for the Oval Office is putting together a campaign organization. Serious White House aspirants begin this process within months after the conclusion of the prior election.

They focus on several key tasks, including raising money, organizing the campaign network, and establishing contacts with the media.

Raising Money

Raising money — and lots of it — may be the most critical function for a presidential candidate. Seeking the White House is a wildly expensive proposition. Most experts agree that a minimum of $20 million to $30 million is required just to build an organization and be viewed as a legitimate candidate. Professional fundraisers are extremely sought-after commodities. Candidates spend much of their time in the early months trying to line up proven fundraisers. It's almost a “contest within a contest” among the candidates (and with the press) to see who can sign up the biggest fundraisers.

Serious presidential candidates spend the majority of their time in the months leading up to the primary season crisscrossing the country in search of campaign cash — most spend upward of eight hours a day “dialing for dollars” and attending fundraising events. Every quarter, the candidates must file a campaign contributions report with the Federal Election Commission, detailing how much money they've raised and spent. The report is available to the press, which separates the serious candidates from the “also-rans” according to how much money they raised.

Lining Up Campaign Consultants

Just as candidates compete for prominent fundraisers, they also jockey for the services of campaign consultants. Candidates look to consultants to help devise strategy, organize statewide campaigns, produce commercials, conduct polling, provide issues and opposition research, and give counsel and direction to the campaign. Political consultants with proven track records at the presidential level are difficult to come by, and highly sought. The press looks to consultant signings as another way to separate the first-tier candidates from the long shots.

Creating State Campaigns

Because the nominating process and thus the general election are determined by state elections, candidates must have well-run state campaigns. One of the first things prospective candidates do is put together a campaign organization in the key primary states. In states like Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Arizona (the first four caucuses and primaries), there is an intense competition to win the support and backing of the governor, members of the state legislature, members of Congress, state party leaders, county chairmen, and even precinct leaders. It's not unusual for candidates to call and visit county chairmen, town leaders, and precinct captains directly to sign them up. In states like Iowa and New Hampshire, where “retail” politics (door-to-door campaigning) is considered an art form, organization is particularly important. Candidates rely on their state organizations to get out the vote on Election Day.

Courting the Media

During the early part of the nominating process, media attention is difficult to come by. Like everything else, candidates compete for press coverage, usually by issuing position papers, staking out bold positions, and making themselves available. National media coverage can make fundraising and organizing much easier, and elevate candidates to first-tier status.