ABSTRACT
As campaigns have become more complex, the role of the campaign organization has also evolved—particularly at the presidential level. The campaign organization serves as the vehicle by which the candidate communicates with voters, both through the mass media and on a one-to-one basis. The organization may be a close-knit small circle of friends and advisers, an informal collection of volunteers committed to a candidate, or a nationwide hierarchy that includes volunteers and political professionals. Large or small, professional or amateur, that organization becomes the public interface for the candidate's message. Successful campaign organizations fulfill multiple functions that include financial, legal, and communication elements. Large campaigns may involve a number of individuals with well-defined roles, each one handling a key function. In smaller campaigns, functions may overlap, with a single person handling multiple duties. Either way, the functions must be fulfilled.
