Having a successful strategy is imperative for any campaign. Thinking through the political, finance and communications aspects of your campaign will help you to determine the best path to victory. And if you think your campaign’s success is determined exclusively by your standing in the polls in the beginning of your campaign – you have most likely already lost. Inevitability is not a successful strategy, but rather a symptom of a lackluster campaign plan. In the end, there is no substitute for raising money, connecting with a message, and building grassroots momentum for Election Day.