Memo to the media: This campaign is about more than money

It has become typical for the mainstream media to focus more on the horserace during campaigns than on actual issues. It is somewhat understandable, since campaigns start so far long in advance of election day, and they need to keep it interesting. However, that does not make it excusable.

There is more news today focusing on the expenditures and fundraising of the Brunner campaign. It seems that the media in Ohio and across the nation are only able to talk about this race for the Senate in terms of money. It is getting exhausting.

Let's state some facts:
1. Lee Fisher has raised more money than Jennifer Brunner.
2. Rob Portman has raised more money than anybody.
3. Jennifer Brunner parted ways with her old finance team.

I know these things because they have been reported over and over again. But come on people, it is October. Money raised now is not going to decide a primary in March or an election next November. Money is important, but it is not everything. Think back: Hillary Clinton outraised Barack Obama early on. Hillary Clinton's donors maxed out. Barack Obama's donors were nowhere near maxed out. What happened?

It is the classic story of the establishment's candidate trying scare everyone else out of the race with their war chest of money. But the establishment always ends up having a problem when the candidate that is actually "more impressive on the issues" or "more accomplished" doesn't get scared.

I don't blame Lee Fisher. He has no choice. He is up against a very impressive candidate, and is tied to a Governor that is becoming increasingly unpopular. But if he can't get Jennifer Brunner out of the race soon, he is going to be in trouble when the voters have their say.