< Back to Front Page Text size +

Obama swamping McCain on TV

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor October 24, 2008 01:41 PM

Nielsen Media Research today put some numbers behind Barack Obama's huge edge in campaign ads, fueled by his gargantuan advantage in fund-raising.

In seven key swing states -- Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia -- Obama ran more than double the number of ads between Oct. 6 and Oct. 22 than Republican rival John McCain, 53,049 to 21,106.

Obama has been most active on the airwaves in Florida, where he ran 15,887 ads during that period compared to 4,662 for McCain.

But the Associated Press is reporting that Obama is spending so much that even his record-shattering fund-raising isn't keeping pace.

Obama spent more than $105 million during the first two weeks of October, according to new campaign finance reports, but reported raising only $36 million during that period, about half the pace in September when he brought in a record $150 million.

McCain's spending is constrained by his decision to accept $84.1 million in public money for the general election. He had about $25 million left as of Oct. 15.

  • CommentComment
  • EmailEmail
.

Obama isn't trying just to win. He's trying to run up the score.

Posted by Kevin October 24, 08 02:21 PM
.

Wow - a Democrat spending more money than is coming in? How novel... Isn't that the typical way they do things?

Not that the recent Republican administrations have been any better, but at least McCain has demonstrated spending restraint. Just another case of Obama not walking his talk - he agreed to only accept public funding, and instead has spent money hand over fist that might have been better allocated to some of our nation's less fortunate. Oh wait - Democrats only use *tax* money for the less fortunate.

Posted by Andrew October 24, 08 02:30 PM
.

Hey Andrew, That's a misinterpretation of the facts. He spent more during the last 2 weeks than he brought in during that same period. He's got plenty left in his war chest. I hope he does run up the score.

Posted by Gobama October 24, 08 02:56 PM
.

Andrew, the election is like a Monopoly game. You're not trying to create a sustainable economy because the whole game goes away in November. If the other guy goes bankrupt you win regardless of your financial situation.

Posted by mkb October 24, 08 03:09 PM
.

WHITE FLAG!!!!!!

Posted by John McCain October 24, 08 03:11 PM
.

So was the 700 billion for the Bail out of US Banks or the Obama Advertising campaign Banks

Posted by Bob October 24, 08 03:11 PM
.

Andrew...what's your thoughts on the Republican Party spending 150k on Palin's wardrobe and hair? Do you think that money could have been used towards the less fortunate? Are you going to criticize them for their irresponsible spending or are you just so brainwashed by your party that you only criticize what Barack does and not your beloved McCain?

Posted by Frank October 24, 08 03:31 PM
.

Victory is sweet, but humiliation is delicious.

Posted by Anonymous October 24, 08 03:33 PM
.

Not "running up the score" so much as making sure that so many people decide to vote for him that it will not be possible once again for the Republicans to steal the election.

One advantage of the early voting in some states is that it has already shown that some of the voting machines have already been compromised and that in some areas polling places grossly inadequate even for the EARLY voters are in place.

Posted by EdA October 24, 08 03:37 PM
.

I agree with EdA. Obama has to be far enough ahead that the Supreme Court wouldn't dare try to give McCain the election.

Posted by Carolyn Britton October 24, 08 03:52 PM
.

"he agreed to only accept public funding, and instead has spent money hand over fist that might have been better allocated to some of our nation's less fortunate."

an obvious mischaracterization andrew. obama promised to accept public financing if mccain would too, and if he also promised to disavow any 527s spending their unlimited money on his behalf. mccain didn't, so obama didn't.

in addition, the fec has very specific rules about how campaign funds can be used and spending it on "our nation's less fortunate" isn't one of them. mccain DID take taxpayer money that could have been used for the less fortunate. obama only took money that millions of eager supporters donated to him of their own free will.

in the immortal words of ali g: "booyakasha!"

Posted by bane108 October 24, 08 04:59 PM
.

The RNC just announced that Sarah will donate her makeup kit and her traveling beautician to charity.

Posted by J Fogg October 24, 08 06:45 PM
.

I see you all have not lost your fight :

GOOD! Because we have a lot to do. You! (the American people) are going to have to take back control of your elected government at every level, and set your government back on the right path of service to you, and the greater good of the World.

Barack Obama and the democrats are your best hope of doing that now. Tell your family, friends, and everyone you know to support them as best they can. Because the Bush McCain vote fraud, vote cheating, vote buying, vote manipulation machine is already hard at work to cheat you again. And we all know what a disaster that has been the past 8 years of Bush McCain.

Barack Obama and the democrats will need all the power you can give them at every level of government (Federal, State, County, and local City elected governments). Obama and the democrats will have an enormous mess to fix for the American people, and the rest of the World. A mess caused by the corrupt Bush McCain administration.

You see, starting back in 2000, and before 911, it was mostly the Republican governors, Republican legislatures, and county elected Republican officials that conspired with the corrupt Bush McCain administration to raise college, and university tuitions by the fastest, and highest rate increases in American history. Some state tuitions went up by as much as a WHOPPING! 30% in one year.

The reason the Bush McCain administration did this was to force struggling working class kids into the military to pay for the sudden jump in tuition. Which was forced on them by the corrupt Bush McCain administration, and their corrupt Republican Governors, and republican controlled state legislatures.

See, Bush McCain had plans to get us into all these immoral, foolish, criminal, and unnecessary wars from the start. So they could use these wars to seize power, and later to get reelected. But, for their evil plan to work they needed more volunteer soldiers struggling to pay for an education whose blood they could spill to help them seize more power. Remember Bush McCain's "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!" theatrics.

The exploitation, and lost lives of these finest Americans is despicable, disgusting, immoral, corrupt and criminal. And it makes me SICK, and ANGRY!

You will have to vote for Obama, and the democrats in overwhelming numbers to overcome the Bush McCain vote fraud machine. Vote early if you can. Then help your fellow Americans cast their votes now, and on through election day. Vote for Obama, and the democrats like your life, and the lives of your loved ones depends on it. Because it does. You will not survive 4 more years of "Let Them Eat Cake" Bush McCain, and their republican allies.

Just look at the mess we have now.

You can fix this mess with your votes for Obama, and the democrats. And REMEMBER, no matter which of us may stumble or fall, the rest of you must continue to surge forward for Barack Obama, and the democrats, and for your-selves most of all. The children, and the World are counting on us.

It's in your hands now. And I know you will get it done.

God bless all of you.


JACK SMITH - WORKING CLASS... :-)

Posted by jacksmith October 24, 08 10:36 PM
add your comment *(If you put a URL in your comment, it must be relevant )
Required
Required (will not be published)

This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.

About Political Intelligence

Reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors about the transition to the new administration and other national political happenings.

Send your comments to masspolitics@globe.com

News from the Washington Bureau

Democrats, Obama disagree on F-22 spending

WASHINGTON - From the economic recovery plan to healthcare reform and creating clean-energy jobs, Representative Paul Hodes has been among President Obama’s staunchest supporters in Congress. (Globe Staff, 7/12/09)

Mass. health overhaul offers lessons for US program

WASHINGTON - A fear that employers will drop private coverage and dump their workers onto federally subsidized health plans is a major concern among lawmakers crafting healthcare legislation on Capitol Hill, leading House Democrats to propose stiff financial penalties for businesses that don’t contribute to employee premiums. (Globe Staff, 7/10/09)

Liberian’s war-crimes testimony may shed light on Plymouth jailbreak

WASHINGTON - It has been a mystery for more than two decades how Charles G. Taylor, Liberia’s former president, broke out of Plymouth County Correctional Facility in 1985, starting a journey that ultimately made him one of Africa’s most notorious strongmen. (Globe Staff, 7/10/09)

In health bill, billions for parks, paths

WASHINGTON - Sweeping healthcare legislation working its way through Congress is more than an effort to provide insurance to millions of Americans without coverage. Tucked within is a provision that could provide billions of dollars for walking paths, streetlights, jungle gyms, and even farmers’ markets. (Globe Staff, 7/9/09)
Reporter's notebook

To a young reporter, McNamara was a plain-spoken observer of US affairs

WASHINGTON - To a reporter fresh out of college hired to cover the Pentagon for a little-known newsletter, Robert S. McNamara was nearly a mythical figure. (Globe Staff, 7/7/09)

More female veterans are winding up homeless

WASHINGTON - The number of female service members who have become homeless after leaving the military has jumped dramatically in recent years, according to new government estimates, presenting the Veterans Administration with a challenge as it struggles to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. (Globe Staff, 7/5/09)

Healthcare overhaul could limit tax breaks on benefits

WASHINGTON - For the secretaries and environmental engineers, game wardens and van drivers who work for the state of New Hampshire, surgery is free, even at Boston’s top teaching hospitals if it’s necessary. So are MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays. (Globe Staff, 7/4/09)

Consumers likely to face increased bank costs

WASHINGTON - An array of government-created insurance agencies - which have long charged bargain-rate premiums to banks, credit unions, and brokerages - are seeking to make up for massive shortfalls in their insurance funds by raising fees and premiums, many of which are likely to be passed on to consumers. (Globe Staff, 7/2/09)

Obama confronts skeptics on healthcare, pledges action

ANNANDALE, Va. - President Obama, pledging to overhaul healthcare this year despite divisions in Congress and the public, took on his skeptics directly yesterday, seeking to assure patients that their costs would not increase and that they would not be victims of a “government takeover.’’ (Globe Staff, 7/2/09)

Supreme Court rules in favor of Conn. firefighters

WASHINGTON - A sharply divided US Supreme Court ruled yesterday in favor of a group of white firefighters who accused the city of New Haven of racial discrimination, potentially making it much harder for employers to bring racial balance to the workplace, while handing ammunition to critics of high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on the eve of her confirmation hearings. (Globe Staff, 6/30/09)
archives