POLITICIAN AS TV PROP CAN DEFEAT TIVO.

Byline: ANDY COWAN

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AS the 2008 presidential dog-and-pony show stockpiles more money than ever, conventional wisdom dictates that those with the largest purse strings -- not a gender reference for the Hillary fans out there -- will make it especially difficult for the financially challenged among them to not be labeled "dead men running." If we can't bear witness to enough costly messages they approve and pay for, we could very well forget they exist or, heaven forbid, resent them for forcing us to read their position papers.

But before we declare the "also-running" also-rans, maybe it's a more level playing field than we realize, thanks to our beloved DVRs.

As more of us become the heads of our own network of TiVo'd favorites, greater numbers are approaching commercials as the spots where a maximum-speed 4 can erase the time between "We'll be right back" and "Welcome back" to a few blinks of an eye. If burgeoning numbers are whisking past the campaigns of soap manufacturers, what makes anyone think they'll slow down to watch yet another politician campaign on a soapbox?

There could also be the law of diminishing returns. Some say "Dreamgirls" may have over-hyped its ultimate prize-worthiness to potential Academy voters with too many ads singing its praises. Who's to say America's voters won't become resentful after the hundredth ad "for our consideration" hyping dream tickets?

Whether watching fewer commercials, or resenting the onslaught of ads the well-heeled will be sending our way, TV fans could very well make it necessary for candidates, rich and poor, to figure out another way into our living rooms. Enter product placement!

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" could mark a sublime opportunity for the candidates with the lowest poll numbers. Picture a chalk outline around a corpse that looks suspiciously like Dennis Kucinich. Wait ... it is Dennis Kucinich! What better way to take on a larger-than-life status than by leaving this life behind, at least figuratively? The sympathy vote, alone, would pay for itself.

If NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly can land a nonspeaking cameo pit stop in "The Office," why can't aspirants to the office that's oval follow in his footsteps? Imagine Sam Brownback or Chris Dodd blending into Dunder-Mifflin's anything-but-flashy woodwork. It's not all that difficult.

Mike Huckabee's underexposed alter ego could land a piece of prime TV real estate on "American Idol." Picture a pitchy warbler in front of the iconic mural images of Kelly, Reuben, Fantasia, Carrie, Taylor ... and Mike, brandishing his bass guitar in that band of his, "Capitol Offense." And you think Simon looks dyspeptic now?

Mitt Romney could carve out his own niche on "Desperate Housewives." Who else could convincingly pair up with a first lady, second lady, third lady and fourth lady?

Once presidential product placement kicks into high gear, candidates will at least be free of the production expenses of slick ad campaigns. More importantly, the TiVo-tees out there, who've added more hours to their lives by eliminating commercials, will add yet more time when they start zapping through the programs, not just ads. Especially after Howie summons the junior senator from New York with, "Hillary ... Open the case."