So it is not shocking that D’Amboise led all comers in fundraising, gathering $609,830 as of the last report, with most coming from wealthy out-of-state donors. That is also not a surprise. As popular as Snowe has been in Maine, she is unpopular in some conservative circles where she is labeled a RINO — Republican In Name Only.

What is surprising, though, is how most of the money has been spent.

D’Amboise hasn’t used the resources he collected to communicate with Maine Republicans who will vote on June 12. He hasn’t bought ads on TV or done the other things that connect a candidate with the electorate.

Mostly, he has rented mailing lists that give him access to the wealthy out-of-state donors who don’t like moderate Republicans.

It’s hard to see how D’Amboise benefits from such a strategy. And it’s equally hard to see how the donors benefit when they are giving money that just results in them getting more mail asking for more money.

The direct mail company is a clear winner, but the same can’t be said for Maine voters, particularly Republicans. They are not learning more about D’Amboise or getting a better understanding about where his opponents stand, which is the kind of political speech that makes campaign finance such an important First Amendment issue.

The principle thing that Maine Republicans are learning is that some people around the country don’t like moderates. The real result of a campaign like this is a general ratcheting up of the cost of campaigning for everyone.

Campaigns should not spend most of the money they raise raising more money.

That is not the free speech the Constitution protects, but a make-work project for campaign professionals.

It’s legal, but it shouldn’t be, and candidates like D’Amboise should stop doing it.

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