President Barack Obama is headed back to town. On Thursday he’ll kick off his re-election fundraising efforts in Chicago. Obama’s 2008 campaign shattered all records – he raised more money than any previous candidate for the office. But some pundits predict he’ll outdo himself in 2012. He won’t be alone. Republicans can expect to cash in as well – helped along by a recent Supreme Court ruling on campaign finance.

For a preview of campaign styles and strategies – early and late – Eight Forty-Eight turned to a couple of experts. Carol Felsenthal has made a career of profiling politicians, and writes the Felsenthal Files for Chicago magazine. Scott McPherson is a Republican public affairs strategist and President of the Midwest Public Affairs Group.

Music Button: RJD2, “Let There Be Horns”, from the CD The Colossus, (RJ’s Electronical Connections)