WASHINGTON (CNN) – Barack Obama has spent a record breaking $60 million to run more than 100,000 political television ads in pursuit of the Democratic presidential nomination, a new analysis conducted for CNN shows.
In contrast, John Kerry ran a little more than 19,000 TV ads four years ago in his successful bid for the Democratic nomination, according to TNS Media Intelligence/CMAG, CNN’s consultant on political television advertising spending.
Kerry wrapped up the nomination in the first week of March 2004, while there is no end in sight in the battle between Obama and Hillary Clinton for the right to be the 2008 Democratic nominee.
Clinton, who trails Obama in fundraising by about $60 million, has run just over 60,000 TV ads in her bid for the White House.
“If it was not for Obama’s spending, Clinton’s would look pretty impressive,” said Evan Tracey, CMAG’s chief operating officer. “Clearly, the fundraising is being translated immediately into television buys.
Tracey added, “Regardless of the outcome in Pennsylvania it will be very hard to second guess Obama’s strategy. The money he is raising is being immediately translated into television buys in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Indiana.”
In Pennsylvania, Obama has spent more than $3.6 million, while pouring another $600,000 into North Carolina and $800,000 into Indiana for TV ads, according to CMAG. So far, Clinton has spent $1.4 million in Pennsylvania, just under $200,000 in North Carolina and just recently went on the air in Indiana.
Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain has run a fraction of the number of television ads aired by Clinton and Obama. In fact, two unsuccessful presidential candidates – Republican Mitt Romney and Democrat John Edwards – have run more ads than McCain, even though they both dropped their respective presidential bids more than two months ago. McCain has run about 14,000 ads, compared to Romney’s 37,000 and Edwards 15,000 commercials.
From CNN Politics
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Obamas fundraising – wow.
Well you know what they say about fools and their money...
In early 2007, Bill Clinton bragged that his wife would win the "money primary."
Now that they've been clobbered, they're trying to say it doesn't really matter.
Lies, contradictions, hypocrisy...that's what the Clinton campaign is made of.
...and yet Obama trails McCain and can't pull away from Clinton.
Obama donors should have invested in Bear Stearns. The money would have been better spent.
Barack Obama '08 – The Enron of Presidential Candidates
Of course some Hillary supporters will claim he is buying the election, which is ridiculous when his money is coming from individuals and not corporations (unlike Hillary).
We are proud of you Obama was running such a successful campaign. We trust you have spent the money as you saw fit. I will make some more donation to your incredible, clean campaign.
Obama for President of USA!
Its sad, he is really trying to buy the race, reform is needed....of course he sounds good and some poor people just don't understand how to actually look and research the issues he speaks about and if they did they would find out there is not background because he has very little experience. Do not vote for this man.
VOTE HILLARY
As Americans are losing their homes left and right, BO is buying an election...go figure.......
I'm going right now to dontate to Hillary......:)
So Oboma is running a more effective campaign than clintoon. We already knew that. This isn't news...
We believe you spent the money well to make yourself known to a lot of people who think without the Clintons USA is doomed. More donation from me is on the way.
Obama 08!
Wait he outspends her in every state and still can't beat her????? Hmmmmm
As Americans are losing their homes left and right, BO is buying an election...go figure.......
I'm going right now to dontate to Hillary......:)
A disgusting amount of money is being spent on this campaign with Obama basically buying his nomination. How pathetic he and his cult followers are - drinking their kool-aid and claiming fraudulent claims like "hope and change" when is actually not even the same - but worse - than most politicians - as he uses a cult mentality - as Hitler did - to brainwash his obamabots into worshiping him.
Must be all the money he's raising from those evil old rich white men.
Clinton began the primary with a $100 million dollar warchest and great name recognition. Obama's campaign had nothing. A record number of average income Americans are contributing to Obama's campaign because they believe in him. It is no one's fault but Clinton's that she cannot match him in donations. That in itself reflects the pulse of the country's support.
Ah yes, Obama has his hand on the pulse of America. The one that had American Idol shoved down their throats from all angles and wow, it got to be a hit show.
Americans become more ovine, that word means sheeplike) to all the "adult children" on this site.
Can Americans Be Bought?
I guess we will find out.
Funny how he has to spend so much money to beat Hillary. If he's so special he shouldn't have to spend at all.
He ( OBAMA ) Can spend all the $$$$$$$ He wants .
That will never be enought to Heal the wounds of HIS REV> WRIGHT ,
Waite till the full baggage is exposed.
OBAMA NOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo
THAT IS DEFINITELY ONE WAY TO STIMULATE THE FAILING ECONOMY!!!!!!!!!!1
GUYS, YOU SHOULD BE THANKING SEN. OBAMA
They're wasting all this money on tv. A more fiscally responsible candidate would spend this on lavish hotels and donuts.
I WOULD LIKE CLINTON TO BUY AN AD TO EXPLAIN FREE TRADE!
The Clinton campaign acknowledges that BILL CLINTON supports
the Colombia free trade deal, while Hillary does not.
(Yeah right and we are suppose to believe her.)
*******READ******READ***READ****READ*****READ*****READ***
The New York Daily News adds,
“BILL CLINTON VOICED 'SUPPORT' for a controversial
COLUMBIA FREE-TRADE PACT that his wife has
fiercely opposed - and HE ACCEPTED -–$800,000-- in speaking
fees from a group boosting the agreement, it was revealed
yesterday.”
****************************************************************************
SO HOW IS HILLARY GOING TO CONVINCE THE LEGISLATURE
THAT FREE TRADE NEEDS TO BE REVAMPED IF SHE CANNOT
EVEN CONVINCE HER OWN STAFF AND HER OWN HUSBAND
WHO ARE LOBBYING FOR IT AND TAKING THEIR MONEY?????
Go Obama, go. I'm proud to contribute to this campaign. As long as Obama can communicate to people, he will be able to win over Hillary who has name recognition only. He's our man! All the way to the white house!
Obama 08!
She IS answering the question! What do you want her to say?
With all that money he still lost Ohio and Texas,and he will lose Pennsylvania.
Talk about poor judgement! He likes to spend other peoples money and get few results.Is this the type of person we want for president?
Man, Obama is in desperate mode. All the sweet talking and underhanded attacks are not working so he's going all out to buy votes. Spending in some cases 5-1 on ads and mailings. The money did not buy him victories in Ohio and Texas and so I imagine it will not buy him victories in PA. By the way, the latest SurveyUSA poll in PA is showing HIllary ahead 18 points....just in case the media cherry picks the polls that will only favor their golden boy.....who's actually smelling like a rotten egg....hee hee.
If is message was SO great he wouldn't have to rely on TV ads... people would spread the message. However he is nothing but hot air and lies. He is weak under pressure, and cannot stand up to John McCain
This is the only reason he is in the lead; he is attempting to brainwash people into believing he is our Saviour. America lives on sound bites and that is all Obama gives to us. He has no national experience and if he wins the Democratic nomination, that will be as far as he goes because his ads have already been seen by most of us and in the General Election, he will need to show us more than talk and speeches, then he loses because we all know he knows nothing about WDC and its politics. All of his ideas are Hillary's (or from the Clinton Administration) which he changed slightly to appear as if they are his own.
HIs mob money makes it easier for him to spread his lies. Hillary gets her money the honest way. From the intelligent educated people thyat know she is the best, and only choice to lead this great nation back to the gloryy days we enjoyed when Bill was our greatest ever president,. She will br great too.
Its all about money. And they say elections cant be bought!! Shame on us for being fooled so easily.
If Hillary wins in Pa after Obama spends an enormous amount of money on TV ads, this definitely has to say something.
Wake up people – Take another look at Obama. He's not what he says he is. Media covering alot up.
As a Obama donor, I am glad to see my small amount going towards these ads. I supported him in Texas and will continue to support him throughout his campaign and in the general as hes the only canidate I will have ever voted FOR rather than the norm of voting for the lesser of the evils. I am 39 and white and have never been this excited in politics and for once in my life have a canidate who I can be proud to support.
Obama 08
And he still hasn't closed the deal yet?? What's wrong with this picture?
That is why OBAMA should be Democratic presidential nominer becuase he will have the money to bite McCain
OBAMA 08!!
GOd BLESS USA AND OBAMA
What everyone keeps forgetting is that Obama has to outspend Clinton because she is able to be in 3 places at one time thanks to President Bill Clinton and Chelsea. So it should be no shock to anyone that Obama has to spread himself out by using TV/Radio ads...duhh....it's really 3 against 1 1/2 since Obama's wife can only give so much time and continue raising their girls.
If this was Clinton, people would accuse her of trying to buy the presidency. Doesn't it concern any of you that he is outspending her 4-1 and still can't seem to seal the deal?
One more info missing from the above article is that Obama doesn't take a single dime from the lobbyist unlike Hillary and McCain (McBush)
Good for him. Obama really knows what he is doing.
Imagine if he run for president in November how much it will cost !!!!!!!!!!!!
Good product never need a big marketing
Let him spend all he wants he won't be able to buy his way into the general if he is the nominee, and the Hillary supporters cross over to McCain. If the DNC and media think that the Democratic Party will come together after a nominee is picked they are delusional. Michigan and Florida have to be resolved after these primaries are done and not on the convention floor. If the superdelagates swamp to Obama before this is resolved knowing that Clinton won big in Florida the general will be a piece of cake for McCain.
If Clinton by chance wins the nominee she will lose Obama supporters, but thats no big deal because she will mostly lose the young vote and gain back the middle age and elders that are supporting him so it will be a wash. Clinton has a better chance of winning the general plain and simple.
I have one questions – where is he getting all that money? Oprah?
With all the money being spent, I am surprised we aren't OUT of recession by now....
Good for Obama. At least the public knows where his money is coming from. His nomination is not beaing paid for with old time money, political agendas, lobbiests, and the usual suspects. The reson people are donating to Obama rather than Clinton is because the vast majority of the American people are voting for change. Senator clinton just doe not get the fact she is no longer the fresh faced innocent, but a large part of the rehtoric of business as usual.
Obama spent a ton of money in Texas and Ohio and it did not work there. Actually me and everyone else in Texas got extremely tired of seeing his ads on tv every five minutes and the radio. His ads were everywhere so much in Texas everyone I knew wanted to vote against him just to get him off the air.
Obama do what you have to do, no matter what Hillary says, you are the underdog, the reporters have offten said PA, is Hillary's state, so if you have to spend millions to prove her wrong, so be it, after all you're in this race to win, to loose it because you didn't spend enough to win, woulod be a shame, and a time you would prbably, " If I could , I should have" There is no time for second guessing now... continue to run a clean and honest campaign and you do alright...Leave all the dirty tricks in Hillary's camp..
I'm sure Clinton would do the same if she could afford it. But she can't.
And the winner is.... Obama? Clinton? No... the winner is... the TV ad agencies. What a boon for them!
Hence, my name: Disappointed.
Oh my gosh !CNN actually admitted he's out spending Clinton 4-1 and still can't catch her in Pennsylvannia .A new USA poll show Clinton still up 12 points .That ought to tell the news media the more they are bias and slamming Clinton and McCain all the time the more it turns voters off to Obama .With the amount of money he is spending in Penn he should be winning by a landslide just like he did in Ohio and still lost by double digits .
TOO BAD! He will loose PA as well despite the 3:1 ad spendings. Same in OHIO. PA is a CLINTON COUNTRY. No way he can overtake the CLINTONS. I have yet to see him win one big blue state to convince me that he can close the deal. Too bad, after PA, that's about it! Unless we count Puerto Rico as a blue state! Well, MI & FLA should have a revote. GO HILLARY!
Take it as a sign of who America wants running for the Dems - OBAMA. The avg donation is $109. That is a lot of donations.
One word: Impressive.
Is it just me, or does anyone else see a problem with a presidential candidate (Obama) wanting to have lunch with a country that supplies weapons to kill our soldiers. They are also deciding to enrich uranium for nuclear bombs, which is in part causing oil prices to rise. Wanting to get rid of Isreal. And Obama had the Audacity to set near General Petraeus and say we should do lunch and conversate with them. Why hasnt anyone else said anything about it.
btw i am a registered democrat
Trying to buy a presidency.
He is spending all this money-and still he isn't a viable candidate!
The questions remaining unanswered are what make Obama a candidate that is no longer viable!
The DNC clearly did not vet him; he will easily lose in a general election. The Republicans will use Rev. Wright and Rezko to bring him down hard, and we will hand the keys over to McCain!
We need to fly to Hillary's strengths-her Solutions for America if we are going to have a Democrat in the White House.
Ophra is really paying big buck to get her man elected!!
Big deal. With all the money that his campaign keeps bragging about, why hasn't he already clinched the nomination? That's the real bottom line.
It is absolutely fiscally irresponsible for Obama campaign to spend $60 million on ads alone, not to mention this is just primary. This is the so called "hope and change" candidates who calles for "changing the way Washington does business". He seems more competative than Bush and Cheny. What, he is pouring in another 3.6 million on ads?
The question is whether in the general election the American people would vote for a money-bought nominee?
And this ticker is relevant, how? Obama has the least name recognition of all the remaining presidential candidates. The purpose of fundraising is to spend. The campaigns are not profit-making organizations.
Over concern (like this ticker suggests) on where and how much Obama's campaign spends is dumb, especially when you compare how McCain and Hillary's campaign have been run over the past year.
Yep, that's right. I'll be sending my second donation this week. I don't mind putting my money where my mouth is.
**********GOBAMA '08***********
Barack, the best candidate money can buy!
It saddens me that the uneducated Hillbots or repugnents against Obama, figured out how to type on a blog:( What's next? Rove for President. After O wins, y'all will have to endure 4, likely 8, years as we anti-bush folks have had to
No stopping a revolution, OBAMA!!!!
I can not believe that there are so many dumb and blind people out there that are supporting the "Pied Piper". WAKE UP AMERICA!
The money spent in advertising may have an influence, but certainly is
not the only reason of HILLARY's decline in the polls.
PENNSYLVANIA 158 Delegates
DATE POLLSTER CLINTON OBAMA Remarks
April % ~Delegates % ~Delegates
--- ----– -- ----- -- ----– ---–
4/3 Insider Adv. 45% 82 42% 76
4/3-6 Quinnipiac 50% 84 44% 74
4/4-6 Strategic Vis, 47% 83 42% 75
4/5-6 ARG 45% 79 45% 79 out of range –out
4/5-7 Survey USA 56% 94 38% 64 out of range - out
4/7 Rasmussen 48% 83 43% 75
4/7-8 PPP 46% 82 43% 76
It is obvious that in Pennsylvania OBAMA is trying to deliver an K.O., to
force out HILLARY once for all. It is deplorable that SUCH AMOUNTS MUST BE SPENTONLYsuch amounts BECAUSE HILLARY REFUSES TO CONCEDE!!
ALBO
I hope Pennsylvania is smart enough to not vote for a guy just because you can't watch TV without seeing his face.
HILLARY CLINTON 2008
We have to ask ourselves: "Are we willing to sell our vote?" I hope not. I have alot more confidence in Sen Clinton's leadership abiliites than Obama's- Millions of $$$ is not going to change that.