I'm sorry you're not familiar with him. But most in political circles are well aware of who he is.
I know who he is, the problem is the apolitical, middle of the road voter we have to carry to win has never heard of him.
So9
Who in the "normal" world had heard of George W. Bush prior to his '98 re-election? He was just that "other brother" and "other son of the President." He didn't start gaining public recognition until approx. Jan 99 - well within two years of his election. But he already had established some strong political connections - as has Allen.