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This article looks at the near end of the science of political consulting in the U.S. It attributes the scenario to the observation that the quality of voter data exceeds the means to reach these voters. It notes that the challenge for consultants is returning to the art of politics. It suggests to use modeling to predict voter behavior with 90 percent accuracy.

The author reflects on three main issues facing U.S. political consultants in 2009. He questions whether ban on scientists from helping other countries build nuclear weapons apply to political consultants from exporting their knowledge that would make U.S. enemies elected. He also asks whether political consultants embody the characteristics of lawyer Mark Geragos or the baseball team Washington Nationals' mascot Screech. He advises candidates to hire consultants despite the emergence of technologies that can be used in campaigns.

The author reflects on the increasing diversity in the field of political consulting in the U.S. in 2009. He states the retirement of first wave of political professionals. He attributes such development to the growing rate of retirements, campaign technology that reduces the barriers to entry and to President Barack Obama. He cites some of the political professionals in the country and their contributions to the industry including Amy Gerskhoff, who helped establish the first analytics shop, and Michael Bronstein and partner Matthew Weaver.

The author examines certain areas that will define the political industry in the U.S. He says that statewide races have adopted Distributive Networks' text messaging strategy from the previous campaign of U.S. President Barack Obama. He cites the cost of delivering calls which allows for the creation of a two-tier political telemarketing industry that is comprised of live calls and less expensive robo-calls. Also noted is the view of the international community on the U.S. as the biggest market of political advice.

The author talks about the upcoming 2009 elections in the U.S. He notes that attention is being directed to the 2009 election instead of the first 100 days of President Barack Obama. He adds that the Democratic Party aims to prove in the elections that the success of Obama was not an accident. He also mentions that the Republican Party is ready for its search for the next big thing from its roster of technologically-apt consultants including Patrick Ruffini.

The author reflects on the impact of the Internet and other communication technologies on political campaigns in the U.S. The author reminisces the fresh smell of mimeographed papers on a warm, spring morning and still send handwritten notes, despite the advent of Blackberries and Palm Treos. He adds that experienced political consultants are also adopting these technologies including Becki Donatelli and Joe Trippi.

The article focuses on the annual seminars of "Campaigns & Elections" in the U.S. There are 40 sessions scheduled for its June 2006 seminar. The publication has been collaborating with the American Association of Political Consultants to attract professionals to speak at the seminars. Winning Non-partisan Local, State and Judicial Elections is one of the panels that will be presented in the June seminar.