"Not too many people tell Bob what to do," one Democratic operative said.

Democratic operatives said Wednesday that they were doing nothing wrong.

It started organizing early and has sent veteran Democratic operatives to coordinate local field efforts.

He is a well known Democratic operative in the state of Tennessee.

One prominent Democratic operative said his firm is currently negotiating with four pharmaceutical companies.

But some Democratic political operatives say it could work.

Republican and Democratic operatives accused each other of trying to influence the vote.

"Party leaders were totally committed to his race, right up until the end," one Democratic operative in Washington explained.

"It's a dangerous and treacherous game," one Democratic operative said.

And when Democratic operatives got a look at his political schedule last week, they could hardly wait to seize on its symbolism.