The widening campaign money gap

Rather than having offices in four or five cities, a candidate with enough money can rent offices in 20 communities, a valuable asset in a state where personal contact is crucial to voter turnout. "There is no question that the more paid organizers you have, the more people you reach and organize who can help get you votes in the caucus," Carrick said.

The cost of organizers in Iowa ranges widely, from a per diem payment and a few thousand dollars a month to $15,000-plus a month for the most sought-after strategists. All those workers need cellphones, cars, computers and a place to sleep. TV advertising -- even at Iowa's comparatively low cost -- can run about $1.5 million for 10 days. "It all adds up fast," Mamet said.

A well-funded candidate also can afford extensive polling and research, testing themes and campaign advertisements before voters get a glimpse. "You don't have to guess whether an argument's going to work," said Tad Devine, a Democratic adman who has been involved in presidential politics for more than 30 years. "It gives you a tremendous leg up."

Another boost: Well-heeled candidates can foot the bill for private jets, rather than rely on commercial flights to crisscross the country. That not only saves time -- one of the most precious commodities in a campaign -- but avoids mishaps.

In March, for instance, Sen. Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut failed to show at a labor rally of Las Vegas culinary workers when his commercial flight from Washington was delayed. Fellow Democrats Clinton, Obama and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson made it on time and addressed the crowd.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of having ample cash is the ability to target numerous states, which will be important in this front-loaded primary season. In years past, there was often the chance between early contests and later primaries for candidates to replenish their bank accounts. But this time, the voting in Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina will be quickly followed by what is effectively a national primary Feb. 5.

For all the talk about Internet campaigning, GOP strategist Scott Reed said, "it still comes down to blocking and tackling, motivating supporters with television and getting them out to vote." He suggested that a serious contender needed to spend $15 million on TV advertising alone in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, the most hotly contested of the leadoff states. That figure may prove beyond the reach of all but a handful of candidates.