Word inside the Beltway is that Al Gore can "buy" the 2008 election with his Google money. I dispute that notion. Al Gore can buy loads of advertising and a great staff with his Google stash, but he can't literally buy an election. He can buy awareness, but being aware of Al Gore will not necessarily drive people to vote for him. In fact, one could easily argue that the more aware of Gore you are, the less likely you'll vote for him. It's the Ross Perot effect. Sometimes people are better off keeping their traps shut and letting the voters fill in the blanks. That's what Herb Kohl has successfully done in Wisconsin for years. Kohl's motto has been "Nobody's Senator but yours". Note that this motto says absolutely nothing about Kohl's political beliefs. He's never run on issues. He's run on the fact that he's so rich that he doesn't need to raise money to run for elections. Al Gore doesn't have that option since he's spent the last 6 years acting like a moonbat. All advertising is going to do is remind people of that.

People are jumping to conclusions (hey, wouldn't make a great mat?). The New York Yankees buy the most expensive baseball players, but they haven't won the World Series since 2000. Every year, tycoons spend millions on thoroughbred yearlings, but the most expensive horse rarely wins the Kentucky Derby. Movie studios spend millions marketing their films, but that doesn't mean people will show up at the box office. Flops happen all the time. Spending lots of money doesn't mean make your desired result a fait accompli.

I think it's time for a quick review. Here's what money can (and cannot) buy:

Political advertising	Political agreement
Sex	Love
Goods & services	Entry to heaven
Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co.	Fair treatment
Good press	Good taste
Well-bred racehorses	Man O'War
Steroids	The public's affection
J Lo's shoes	J Lo's love
Clue	A clue
A green dress	Peace of mind