CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Democrats dominate campaign ad spending «

February 5, 2008

Posted: February 5th, 2008 07:22 PM ET

Sen. Hillary Clinton emphasizes economic issues in one of her television ads.

NEW YORK (CNN) – Democratic White House hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have spent more than $21 million on television advertising in the past two weeks, outspending the remaining Republican presidential contenders by more than 3-to-1.

Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Ron Paul have spent slightly more than $6.3 million since January 21, with McCain and Romney accounting for most of that amount. The new spending totals, compiled by TNS Media Intelligence/CMAG, CNN’s consultant on political ad spending, also shows that Obama is the new overall leader in television ad spending.

Obama has laid out more than $31 million for campaign commercials - $12 million since January 21 - in his battle with Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination. Romney, who was the spending leader on ads for the past year, has invested more than $30 million on campaign commercials, $3.5 million in the past two weeks.

Clinton has spent $24.6 million this election cycle on television ads – more than $9 million in the past 14 days.

“He is putting his money to work,” Evan Tracey, CMAG’s chief operating officer, said of Obama’s use of campaign funds to pay for television advertising. “He has turned up the volume, not only in the February 5th states but beyond.”

More than 20 states are currently holding presidential nominating contests on what is being called “Super Tuesday.”

The campaigns are already looking beyond Tuesday in what is expected to be an extended battle for the presidential nominations.

In the Republican contest, frontrunner John McCain has spent more than $8.5 million on television campaign ads ($2.4 million in the last two weeks), while Mike Huckabee has put slightly more than $2.9 million of television ads on air ($300,000 since January 21), and Ron Paul has spent a total of $3 million (more than $166,000 in the past two weeks).

So far, more than $169 million has been spent by candidates and special interest groups on television campaign ads this election cycle – an all-time record.

– CNN’s Mark Preston and Rebecca Sinderbrand

Filed under: Political ads

17 Comments | Permalink


Doc Ellie		February 5th, 2008 9:18 pm ET Here's what I'm seeing: that it is a lot harder to come up with a really good idea than to blast a really good zinger at a candidate we've decided to stop liking. It's not a sport, people. Could we all be just a little more thoughtful and constructive?

Christian, Tampa FL		February 5th, 2008 9:08 pm ET TV exposure for the Democrats will help them in the general election. Whoever is the nominee for them will be able to use the overwhelming excitement generated during the primary season to their great advantage, especially as the Republicans continue to flounder in bitter fighting.

mr.fair tax		February 5th, 2008 8:43 pm ET WHAT SHAPE WILL THE MILITARY BE IN WITH THE DEMO'S IN OFFICE?? WHO WILL JOIN?? WHO WILL FIGHT??

mr.fair tax		February 5th, 2008 8:41 pm ET DEMOCRATS WILL BREAK THE COUNTRY WITH EXPENSES AND TAX US TO DEATH, OH THOSE CRAZY HILLARY PROGRAMS!!

Anonymous		February 5th, 2008 8:22 pm ET This is very good news for Obama.

OBAMA SUCKS		February 5th, 2008 8:13 pm ET rafael shut up!!! hillary has just as much experience if not more than you stupid candidate! I think a housewife has more experience to be president than obama!!!

keith Franklin, Tn		February 5th, 2008 8:06 pm ET Bronx Latina What do mean Democrats spend other people's money? You must have had your head stuck in the sand for the last seven years while a REPUBLICAN President and a REPUBLICAN controlled Congress spent a huge surplus and put us so deep in debt...China may have to buy us some day. Your comments come from someone who has chosen to stay "blind" to the obvious. Is Karl Rove your hero? I am a moderate who will vote for change and yes if I want to spend my money I will.....I sure won't trust any Republicans to "save" a penny. Check the budget!!!!!

P.FL		February 5th, 2008 7:53 pm ET CNN why are u posting that idiot rafael stupid comments?

rafael		February 5th, 2008 7:40 pm ET IA for Hillary, Exactly what experience are you referring to? seating at the wallmart board,wife of a governor? wife of a president?

rafael		February 5th, 2008 7:37 pm ET yeah california independent is a vast right wing conspiracy... you sound just like ur candidate LOL! and hillary thinks lobbyists are working for the real people.... Oh and her money is 73% from Lobbyists

Bruce Jackson		February 5th, 2008 7:37 pm ET No special interest money in play here! I'm sure special interest groups are donating money at record rates to both campaigns and don't expect anying in return. Must be all the "change" I'm reading about.

IA for HILLARY		February 5th, 2008 7:36 pm ET I think they should ban political commercials. That's the only reason Obummer and Romney are even mentioned – because of money. VOTE FOR EXPERIENCE – VOTE FOR HILLARY CLINTON!!

Bronx Latina		February 5th, 2008 7:36 pm ET I thought that Democrats wanted to get money out of politics...looks like they are spending a ton of money to buy your vote... Typical democrats, spend other peoples' money...getting no results.

California Independent		February 5th, 2008 7:31 pm ET I won't even touch this one.... I tried to post the $12.5 million in special interest money that Obama received and CNN killed it. I won't even bother to provide the link to the govt site that tracks the bundling etc, but it's out there if you are interested.

Marge Hibbing Mn		February 5th, 2008 7:31 pm ET I thought that results couldn't be revealed until ALL THE POLLS are closed. Or does that just apply to other states and not ones Obama is projected to win.

Wayne, Greenville TX		February 5th, 2008 7:30 pm ET It takes money to counter the free propaganda being diseminated on behalf of the Republicans by the likes of Rush Limabugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Laura Ingraham, etc.

Duop Wuol, Colorado Springs, Colorado		February 5th, 2008 7:27 pm ET The reason is very simple. The public is favouring Democratic candidates over Republican candidates–which I think will ultimately result in Democratic victory on November 6, 08.
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