Opebo--
well depends .. I knew people int eh russell campaign and so I could have had a paid position if I wanted it but my other career is flourishing more now, so just decided to volunteer for convention.
Generally you need to go and get involved in some events and volunteer and just get out there and meet some people, local and also statewide f you can go to a convention. After you make yourself know a bit you can then get hired on with a little experience ina state house race or then a congressional one. I am also sure that MO will have a big staff for Bush and so maybe you can get in their. So start by going to events, send letters and resumes to state and federal officials and start by volunteering and then work up to paid.
Just don't have a lot of contacts in MO after Ashcroft left. Did have a guy on his Senate staff as a friend.
Is it normal to have lots of paid campaign workers in the US? I have only done unpaid volunteer work in the campaign I have participated in, but we were out-spent 10-1, so there was good reason...I felt that unpaid workers were often more dedicated than those who had been hired.