(CNN) – Presidential candidates are sold in much the same way a new product is: with an expensive, flashy, and ubiquitous television campaign.
And according to advertising figures provided by Campaign Media Analysis Group, CNN's consultant on ad spending, Barack Obama's campaign has spent more money selling its candidate on television than most major brand name companies do selling their products.
The Illinois senator's campaign is projected to have spent $250 million on ads in the last four months - a number that is equivalent to $750 million in a full year. Only AT&T, with a yearly advertising budget of about $1.3 billion, and Verizon, which shells out $950 million a year on ads, spends more than the Democratic presidential nominee.
But most major companies spend far less than Obama, including McDonald’s ($588 million), Sprint PCS ($482 million), T-Mobile ($404 million), Target ($388 million), and Wal-Mart ($335 million).
John McCain is projected to have spent about $110 million since the general election began.
"This advertising spending by Obama is big, and not just in terms of presidential politics but in terms of all commercial advertising – he has spent enough to be a mega-brand," CMAG's Evan Tracey said.
Obama's massive advertising budget is also a stark reminder of just how much it costs to finance a modern presidential campaign — and, predicts Tracey, it could just end the era of public financing.
"If Obama wins it is clear that the days of being on public financing are over and anyone thinking of running for president in four years will have to ask themselves one question before jumping in – Can I raise $600 million?" said Tracey.
From CNN Politics
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**LIE–LIE**
Did anyone see the lady who claimed she was attacked by someone who saw her McCain sticker on her car and carved a "B" on her face MADE IT UP? Wow.......
so what? that's why we donated money.... is CNN gonna whine about Obama's money like old McCain does?
it's better spent money than paying for Palin's makeover in designer clothes....
The AD"s are not McCain's big problem.The problem for McCain is himself. All the spin and hype aside. We all have our good and our bad sides. Before he was shot down in Vietnam, McCain was known as a hot tempered, self centered spoiled punk. Then he was taken prisoner which brought out his best side albeit temporarily.
Thus fate made him a hero. Then after the war he reverted to type and was an adulterous leche who abandoned his faithfull wife for a young millionair heiress. He put on a pretty good show in the Senate for awhile but now under pressure we once again see the angry, bitter, shallow, small man that John McCain really is.
Early voting is the way to go.
Registered Republican "voted" Obama/Biden 08
That's why we gave him the money you idiots, to get him elected! What the heck are these idiots going to complain about next, that I put too much money in the collection plate for children's welfare at my local grocery store and so now children everywhere are becoming healthy & cared for and its all my fault???
well , at least its not going on make-up and designer clothes
Millions of dollars to lie. Wow! Incredible in these very low times. Tells you exactly what type of president he will be. Spend, spend, spend.....only it will be my money.
Please report that the hate-crime reported a McCain volunteer is false an that she admitted to making it up. Please repot the truth because the lie is in the ticker below.
Does CNN ever have anything positive to say about OBAMA
Oh you mean AT&T and Verizon, the two companies that put up cell phone towers for free on John and Cindy McCain's property in Arizona BEFORE he was even the Republican nominee.
VOTE-OBAMA-BIDEN, LANDSLIDE VICTORY!!!
With Republican sentiment down so low, I'm not suprised that the Democratic party has received a $700+ million dollar bailout. But this time, it _is_ from the American public and not Congress.
I voted for That One!
If you have to spend then spend it on winning.
Obama 08'
Yes, most major companies spend less, ONCE THEY ARE ESTABLISHED.
When a new brand hits the shelves they hit the market with an advertising blitz. That's just the way things work.
Obama is a different kind of politician selling a different kind of politics. He's got to hit the ads hard to get a majority share of the already established market.
*shrug*
We, the donors who are giving him the money to advertise, understand this. We continue to support him because we understand this.
That is why we donated to his campaign. The message needs to get out in order to keep McCain and Palin out of the whitehouse.
Before casting a vote for McCain, please read PNAC and McCain to determine his connections before it is too late.
Obama/Biden 08
Go Obama Obama you got McCain where you want him. Broke McCain Broke McCain. Go home Go home and don't come back, and don't come back.
So what
Time for McCain to come out with more lies & attack ads !!!
No Republican has ever won the White House without lying in ads & portraying the Democrat as unpatriotic.
McCain needs to lie more, e.g. tell Americans… Plumbers make more than $250K/year, so Obama will tax plumbers heavily. Americans are dumb; (they will not know that the average plumber makes only $41K/year) they will believe you, especially those living in the rural areas.
Your VP-choice is also a Far Right Extremist. She is driving away moderates to Obama
So spend more money on clothes & lipstick, to put on your pit-bull, so she will look more like a hockey mom.
--NEOCONS FOR MCCAIN--
*** More war years
*** More tax-cuts for the Rich
*** More freedom for Wall Street
*** More Spying on the American people
*** Better healthcare for the Rich & Healthy
*** More Drilling opportunities for Exxon-Mobile
*** More tax-cuts for companies that ship jobs abroad
*** More Guns in our homes and streets (McCain is Pro-gun)
McCain will attack and obliterate Iran in his first year ….and His girl will kill Rove V. Wade
This has been a joke of an election! All nations are laughing at us and at our ignorance that needs to be compensated by advertisements to win elections!!!! Wow, this is sad for our country and our nation!!! Obama may win the Presidency afterall, but it sure looks as if he "bought" it with the weak $ we now own!!!! Good job Obama for making a satire out of our election and our people!!!
.•:*¨¨*:•.JOE.•:*¨¨*:•.THE.•:*¨¨*:•.PLUMER.•:*¨¨*:•.IS.•:*¨¨*:•.AMERICAS.•:*¨¨*:•.
………….....•:*¨¨*:•.MODERN.•:*¨¨*:•.DAY•:*¨¨*:•.SUPER.•:*¨¨*:•.HERO.•:*¨¨*:•………...
…………………………............•:*¨¨*:•.VOTE.•:*¨¨*:•.FOR: .•:*¨¨*:•.TRUTH.•:*¨¨*:•............
……………………...……....•:*¨¨*:•.MCCAIN .•:*¨¨*:•.PALIN:
.•:*¨¨*:•………………………….
……………................................•:*¨¨*:•.PEACE .•:*¨¨*:•.......................
We Obama supporters will make sure he has enough money to fight the nasty smears of the republican party. We will continue sending money so he can stay on top of the hate filled McCain campaign and their dishonest lies and misconceptions.
Next, McCain and Palin will be calling Senator Obama a communist. Wait and see.
Some of that money was mine, and I think it's money well spent.
We freely gave our donations; the campaign is using what is necessary to win. The campaign is not using the donated money to make money; the campaign is using the donated funds to better the United States of America, by working to get our candidate elected.
Great, I had just donated again to the OBAMA Campaign. Glad to see it is being used well for his campaign rather than spending it on clothes and accessories. BTW: $4000 for a Louis Vuitton bag for her daughter...wow, dod the RNC pay for it as well........
That is truly impressive and gives us a big heads up as to what it will be like under a tax and spend Democrat. All you well wishers out there are going to pay for all the programs Obama wants to implement and Joe thinks you should do it with a smile on your face.
So, prepare to paste on your smile suckers!
Wish I had $150,000 to spend on clothes. Or even $520 for a pair of shoes.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha
Good, he's using my money for the purpose for which I sent it.
If you have enough support to win, and enough savvy to set up the operations, you will raise enough money from voluntary donations to run your campaign. If not, why should the taxpayers be forced to fund a loser whose supporters aren't enthusiastic enough to stand behind their candidate with ten bucks? Never could understand that one.
Obama: Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee.
Knock 'em out Obama!
Stick a fork in the Moose and the elephant...they're plenty roasted.
Nothing like buying an election. I wonder where he would be in the polls if he wasn't as visible as he is. Too bad we can't rely on him like we can on AT&T and Verison. The next time the Dems want to accuse Bush or anyone else with "buying" an election, they should just remember Obama.
This is only the start for Obama. If elected Obama will ruin a lot more in this country than just the political process.
The McCain camp is jealous!
What do you expect if you have to defend yourself from lies everyday.
Obama's great campaigning and fund raising shows his leadership abilities and intelligence.
It also shows that he has the judgement to surround himself with smart hard working, good people in his campaign.
He will do the same as President!
Where did he get all that money ? HMMMMM...from US the citizens- because we are desperate to change Washington and the effects of the last 8 years.. He represents HOPE unlike other candidates. People have given him their money in the HOPE that the U.S. will recover its Consitution trashed by Bush and Cheney, its world standing, its economy, and bring our soldiers home from a war we should never have been in.
Congratulations, Obama. You promised to play on a level playing field, but broke that promise. I hope it feels good to use citizens' much-needed income to buy your way into the Presidency.
Obama continues to inject more dollars into the economy than John McCain
Obama/Biden '08
The idea is to win. and I'd rather see my contribution to the Obama campaign spent on the message that this country needs real change, and not just a wardrobe change from Saks Fifth Avenue.
Hahahaha–even McLame's supporters are turning to desperation!! The 'attack' and 'backwards B' carving on the student in Pittsburgh has been debunked as a hoax.
A hoax. A ruse.
Kind of like McCain's campaign.
Desperate, desperate old man.
Obama/ Biden 08
Sen Obama is an exordinary, one of a kind politician.
No one else will ever do what he has done.
John McCain is the worst. He's not the subject of this article, I just wanted to exhale.
I Baracked my vote on Oct 4, Go out and VOTE early!
If this had been John McCain who lied about taking public financing and then went back on his word and raised hundreds of millions of dollars all the Liberals would be crying that he was buying the election. What a farce this is. Obama should have a 20 point lead on McCain considering he has 10 times the money and the policitical atmosphere favors Democrats. He only has a 1-5 point lead because he is the single worst candidate the Democrats have ever nominated and he cannot seal the deal with the country
Obama is a arrogant ,bias prick. He has more BS. than anyone ever walking the earrh. His supporters are nothing but hateful naive morons. America is headed for the worst fall if this media, greenhorn moron gets elected. Obama has his supporters in a fantasy world of empty promises. They are so naive and idiotic they believe everything he says.Here is some schooling for you morons. There is only two things quarenteed in life, paying taxes and dying. Think about it you morons.
I've been trying to follow the presidential and vice presidential campaigns pretty closely, but have not been able to determine if the candidates have been asked if they plan to reinstate the military draft if they're elected. I suspect Senator McCain will reinstate it almost immediately, but am not sure about Senator Obama. Will someone try to find the answer to this question for me?
Concerned Mom in Louisiana
An as a Obama supporter, the decision of how he spends his donor money is left up to his campaign managers and him. He has run a brilliant campaign so far. I trust his judgement completely and will continue financially to support him. I am not at all interested in criticism by the MSM. They have only their own interests in mind. I have no respect for their opinions when it comes to anything they have to say about Obama, especially CNN.
...this story appears to be fluff. It is almost nonsensical; a candidate for president, especially one that is not as well known as others, spends an insane amount of money in a short period of time before an election, and whoever wrote this story magically multiplies the amount so it would be consistant during the whole year, $250 million somehow becomes $750 million?
Please, please, please... our media needs to be objective AND critical. Please do a better job.
Just donated another $25 bucks. Wish I could make it to the party in Chicago on Nov.4!
GOBAMA!!!!!
Well, he's done a lot more for the economy with his version of public financing than "that other ticket".
But back to the real issue of today regarding the latest McCain attack ad: can someone kindly explain how being a jet fighter pilot on a Navy ship during the Cuban Missle Crisis or being a POW in Hanoi equates to "tested" regarding today's world geo-political dynamics.
A heroic and noble military serviceman – absolutely. But a national leader – absolutely not.
McCain Volunteer Who Claimed "Carved B" Attack Confesses To Making Up Story
What a Joke! 750 million.
And you wonder why the American Economy is hitting the dumps. Soooo much waste and greed. The real people who should be running your country never even get a chance. Americans need to relook at how your elections are run and the length of time to run them.
Why is anyone spending time and dare I say money to calculate this information and then distribute this information to the people? What could this information possibly do to help me decide who will help get this country back in good standing on foreign issues, economic stability, job security, financial security and the ability to give my family a good quality of life in what is the greatest country in the world? Please please please stop with the suppositions, probabilities, and useless comparisons. If we are constantly criticizing the candidates (McCain in particular) for negative campaigning, why on earth do we bring up issues that would only serve to stoke the fires of the bad campaigning?
Give it a rest, we only have 11 more days before we have to elect someone to help ALL of us out of this mess. Please stick to relevant issues. Otherwise let the infamous, famous, non-existent "Joe the Plumber", who is not a plumber, who is not a business owner, who is now part of the McCain campaign trail, be a spokesperson for being a "concerned American".
Obama need to spend the money to counter all the lies and distortions being thrown out there by the republicans.
The economy is in shambles and four more years of failed republican economic trickle down theory will not work, we need change.
The country needs a democratic sweep to right the failed economic theory of the republicans as even Alan Greenspan can't explain what went wrong with the trickle down mess. Well giving the wealthiest people in the world tax breaks and tax credits to invest in cheap labor while the rest of us go bankrupt is not a sound theory for the majority of Americans.
Let's face facts.
Obama is buying the presidency, plain and simple.
Can you raise $600 million? If you are talented, gifted and people believe in you...yes you can. If you are McCain/Palin...No, you can't!! Because you suck and are a disgrace to the human race!
We are the people, who paid for those ads, and we approve this message!
He has to get the truth out someway. The issues that people realy care about are addressed in his adds the tax plan the education plan the health care plan. And then he has to defend against the LIES spread by McCain and Palin.
I think the American public should be horrified by the amounts that Obama has spent. Just think of all the other uses that money could have gone for especially in this type of economic situation. I think we need to take a close look at how much should be allowed to be spent in these elections and all envolved should only be allowed a certain amount. It may help open the door for other types of candidates beside the main two political parties to be on more of even playing field. Enough is enough!!!
he has to be on tv as much as he is, he has to drown out the voices of the smear campaign. let's feel sorry for mcbush, he hasn't raised as much money as obama. the gop wants to cry about the difference in money between the two campaigns. here is the simple answer, more people believe, and have given to the obama campaign. is is that hard to believe that most americans have lost faith in anything the rebulicans have to say, or do?
He is buying White House and people are falling for it. We know that a bad product if advertized well, can be sold very well.
He is a big spender and he will do anything to buy white house. He knows it takes time to get the details of donation money. US population 300 million and he raises $150 million in one month. That's fishy.
Democratic party known for spending and he is carrying the batton very well. I haven't seen a single dime of that money going to Ike but to sell himself.
Meanwhile his half brother lived in a Kenyan slump.
Obama has raised so much money because he has inspired so many people (may I say so many average Joes and Janes).
I do think we will expect our candidates to inspire us, get us involved and ask us for support. However, you focus so much on the money being raised, but you haven't focused on the large number of volunteers. I have never seen so many volunteers (young, old, black, white, hispanic, etc..) getting together to go door to door or make phone calls.
He raised it, he can spend it. McCain has spent a lot of money also, if he had raised more he would also spend more.
As usual, the ethnic minority has to do more and do it better than his majority counterpart just to be competitive, even when it is obvious to us and the world that he is the better man for the job.
But that's okay, at least he is spending campaign contributions in a way that they American people supporting him appreciate. The objective is to win the race and set our country back on the right path–not to outfit his wife with nearly $200,000 worth of clothing the average Joe couldn't even think about affording.
Cool! I am an Obama donor and I am so pleased with the way the campaign has allocated its resources. This is the best investment I've ever made.
He's buying himself the presidential office. A time when we are struggling to put a roof over our heads and food on the table and this person spends like their is no limit. And he says he understands our problems..............yeah right!!
This will force people to think about how to truthfully run a fair campaign. Presidential nominees should have equal time on the TV and it should be free. In other words, in exchange fro an FCC license to broadcast TV, you must provide a certain amount of airtime every 4 years for Presidential ads.
Also keep in mind that the money collected by the candidates is also diverted to get out the vote efforts and other organizational efforts.
Whatever he's spent, it will be well worth it to have an honorable person of integrity as our President. Also it might indeed keep folks like McCain who really don't have a leg to stand on beyond 'history', a second thought before they throw their hat in the ring. Funny that the RNC had $150K to fund the wardrobes of Palin AND her family, when they can't somehow figure out a way to get John more air time. Reason? They know their dog won't hunt!
OBAMA/BIDEN '08 & '12 YES WE CAN, YES WE CAN!!
I ABSOLUTELY don't blame Obama's campaign for this after so many robo-calls and very negative FULL OF SMEARS, trying to link and exaggerate his relationship with "shady" people... Obama is just trying to secure this election. If THOUSANDS of his supporters gave him the money it is because they believe in your cause... WHY NOT USE THE RESOURCES FOR THE CAUSE THAT THEY BELIEVE??? Lets finish this, a get Obama elected!
This is not to poke fun at either side of this race but the thought here should not be to show how either side has spent the money but to question why would either have to spend so much money.
IF Obama was a white candidate would he have had to spend so much on advertising?
IF Sarah Palin was a man from Alaska running would her party have spent the money for a wardrobe upgrade?
I am asking these questions because there is definitely a double standard and while several Amercians think that there is no racism or sexism existing my two questions make you think long and hard.
The woman who claims to have been attacked by an Obama supporter has a backwards "B" carved on her face. Emphasis on the word "Backwards" (Kinda like an idiot trying to carve the letter "B" in their face while looking in a mirror huh???
It sure is mighty neat for someone who was being pinned down by a black man, and carved on with a "dull" knife… She didn't try to turn her head or anything??? Or was he holding her down, both of her hands, her neck (to keep from swiveling) and her face to keep her still. He must have had 8 arms…lol
What a farce…
AND? Is there a point to this information? If McCain could raise that kind of money then it would be o.k., right?
Maggie, VT
Good, glad he is. Better than spending all that money for new clothes, makeup, hair, shoes and whatever else they did
The McCain-Palin's SENIOR staffers already see the clear writing on the wall. If, Sen. Obama wins PA or Indiana, it's OVER for the McCain camp.
John McCain is more than likely kicking himself silly for picking Sarah Palin and hiring all those BUSH CRONIES to run his smear, fear and racial baiting campaign. When you lay with DOGS you get fleas!!!
Alrighty...let's see some tears from the Republicans just because the Dems had more funding than they did for the first time in history. CRY FOR ME!!! YOUR TEARS SUSTAIN ME!!!!
SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At least he is creatin jobs and ordinary folks are making money from it...
Sen. McCain tell me why Palin's pregnant daughter is being paraded around?
I've donated to the Obama/Biden '08 Campaign and intend to give more.
It just goes to show how much the people really care and believe and
want to move in a positive direction.
Now perhaps she can get off her self-righteous butt and take care of her children. She has a special needs son that she parades around to get lingering sympathy votes and a teenage daughter due to give birth in December. The country will be just fine in the hands of Obama/Biden so she should refocus her energy on her family. The GOP should allow her to keep the clothes as a consolation prize. She was runner-up for Ms. Alaska now she will be runner-up as V.P.
SO, WHAT'SM TEH PROBLEM.
GO OBAMA / BIDEN!
No matter how he is packaged and how many lies are told. He is still a Socialist who hangs around terrorists, spends money from the public coffers to "spread the wealth, has less than 3 years experience in his current job and has spent the last 18 months trying to become President. He spent 20 years in a church and never seemed to hear what the preacher was saying, and still believes we can tax our way into prosperity. His supports financially has come from a convicted felon and Joe Biden has concerns about his being tested by terrorists around the world in the first 6 months of the next term. I may not like McCain as much as my first choice but he is sure a great deal better than Obama.
Corrected: I ABSOLUTELY don't blame Obama's campaign for this after so many robo-calls and very negative ads FULL OF SMEARS, trying to link and exaggerate his relationship with "shady" people... Obama is just trying to secure this election and fight back If THOUSANDS of his supporters gave him the money it is because they believe in his cause... WHY NOT USE THE RESOURCES FOR THE CAUSE THAT THEY BELIEVE??? Lets finish this and get Obama elected!
It looks like Obama and the democrats have plenty money donors from the muslim countrys to advertise. I know it cannot be from all them welfare people and college kids who claim they cannot afford a six dollar ID Card to prove who they are. By the way democrats have you heard that Acorn lied and did not register 1.3 million new voters as reported by them and the liberal media. Only 400,000 remain on the the list with the rest being disqualified and a lot of them are being scrutinized for fradulent registers. It looked good to the media to portay them new democrats so that it would discourage republicans and indepedents from voting. By the way what do you think about that lawsuit a voter brought questioning Obama's Birth certificate. Apparently a Federal Judge issued a supeona to Hawaii for it to be made public and handed over but Hawaii does not want to comply. I figure Obama is over there trying to get a fake one. He knows with this lawsuit he cannot be sworn in as president without it if hia election is questioned. (WHOOPS) I bet he could show that Kenyan birth certificate real quick.
Wow shocker he has bought the election.....On the bright side Obama supporters VP Palin has promised additional help for special needs kids so you will all be in good hands.
McCain08
Go, BO, Go!
STOP WHINING JOHNNY BOY!
YAWN!!!!!!!
if he wins, it will have been well-spent. and look at all that money being injected right back into our struggling economy.
This would be a major concern for me if his money wasn't all coming from college students and other average Americans, donating an average of $86 per donation to the Obama campaign.
The fact is that if you can rally people, lead them to believe in America again, they will provide all of the resources you need to compete.
I think this is a heroic point in America – we have spent more money giving to Obama than McDonalds or WalMart spends trying to sell us their toxic garbage. We are buying our future by helping Obama to the White House. This is a good thing.
Desperate is the one that felt it needs to spend $250 million on ads.
Obama is so into “spreading the wealth” can you imagine how many Joe the plumber family the $250 million could have helped.
Can you imagine how many lives could $250 million CHANGED?
The hypocrisy of the Obama campaign is undeniable.
Let's be honest...neither McCain or Obama can get America out of this economy within four short year. The question is who has a better vision and a better reinforcement (vice prez)? Obama.
Palin knows jack!
So! Who cares about how much Obama is spending. The Republicans have such poor candidates this year, including Guilliani (especially him), Romney, Huckabee, and the Law and Order guy, no wonder they could raise enough money. Bush outspent both Gore and Kerry because of all the big oil money and even T.Boone Pickens paying for the 527 ads in 04. Now, TBoone Pickens doesn't seem to be backing anyone, but concentrating on the energy crisis.
Obama just also seems to be running a much smarter campaign than the GOP. McCain has a new plan ever couple of days and can't seem to focus on anything but McCain First, so where do you put your money?.....in clothes and makeup of course.
Is it their fault for spending so much money? Or is it simply due to the drastic changes in how information is distributed? You have newspapers, magazines, handbills, signs, television, internet– The potential reach of the candidates has grown significantly, they'd have to spend money to properly utilize the media available to them.
I'd like to see an ad asking McSame's campaign a few questions like -
Why did you spend $150 K, tax payers money on Miss Payless's clothes and make up..
Why did you spend that money on dressing her kids to parade around with her to every event when BO's kids are not out there on the campaign trail signing autographs..
When is Sarah Payless going to release her medical records and what is taking so long.. Is she hiding something..
Did the McSame camp leave their hearts behind when they hit the campaign trail? McSame camp tried to compare BO taking his camp plane to see his ill grandmother to them spending $150 K on her clothes. If the rolls were reversed, (and first of all they would not be because they BO camp is not as heartless) he would have said it is not the place for that kind of talk just like he did when he said family was off limits... I guess John McShame will stop at nothing to fill Bush's shoes.
It's unfortunate but I would imagine that he would have spent less if he hadn't had to combat all the smears that the McCain campaign was throwing around. And look at what McCain is doing with his money, not talking about his platform, his policies, just a bunch of negative ads. That's not what this country needs in today's hards times. John McCain is living in a totally different world than the rest of America.
Obama/Biden 08
It's not over yet. Don't take anything for granted. Send McCain and Palin packin. We do not need them in the whole of North America never mind the USA
That is fantastic, I will continue to give my average $86 donation today!
Keep up the momentum, and don't forget to VOTE!
Then people wonder why he is "winning" and has so many people who know about him and his positions. If ANYONE had spent more money than McDonalds they would be as known and quite possibly as popular.
I don't even want to hear it from the Repulicans because if they raised that much money they would be taking it willingly and spending it too, as they have been for years now. Many, many republican candidates for political offices have outdone their democratice challengers because they simply have much more money to spend. People may call me a racist but I still believe that it takes several times more money and more advertising to convince many Americans to feel comfortable with having Barack Obama as president that it would any white male candidate. If that's what it takes to get his name out there and get people to get to know him and trust him than so be it, let's make history.
I'm so tired of hearing about how much he spends on ads like it's a bad thing. I personally think it's a GREAT thing. Every cent he spends was donated for his campaign to spend in whatever way they see fit in order for him to win the election!
McCain backers whine about how he's being out spent. He CHOSE his own funding route. Maybe if the Republicans were willing to put their money where their big fat mouthes are he would be doing better in the advertising area.
I would like to know how much Obama spends for his suits please
?? I am one of the many internet donors, to Obama..so whats the big deal ? Just people "fed up" with old government ways trying to support Obama and a NEW way of doing things..so sorry McCain wasnt able to do that too..NOT...and every time I see another dirty swipe at Obama, I will donate more...takethat republicans..we dont want you anymore...
Texas
Apparently, it is ok to buy the presidency. This is a sad, sad day.
And to think the American people are financing it and not lobbyists. That's the way it should be done. Now we have a stake in this election.
That is Obama's first reform. If you want to be elected by the people get the support of the people. Let the people build the government they want not some one with lots of money pushing it down their throat.
I would also like to add that after this election anyone thinking of running for president in four years will have to ask if they have the ablility to run a clean campaign and give strengh and hope to the nation and inspire it from bottom up approach.
With Obama as President I see a Glorious future for our country.
This is why we donated to him - so he could win. Get a clue CNN. This is a people-powered campaign and we support it.
it takes a lot of money to defeat a group of weathy war profiteers. i'm proud to have been sending obama money for a year and a half.
I'm a Republican, but this year I'm going to have to vote Democratic. I think Barack Obama can bring the kind of unity we need in this country. It's sad he has to spend so much on advertising, but if it works, it work.
The power of the people and all of our donations.
As a good steward (like he will be as President), he's shown he is wise in terms of how he manages money. No deficits on this train.
POOOOOOOOOR JOHNNY!
LOSER!
EVEN YOUR STEPFORD WIFE'S MONEY CAN'T BUY YOU THE WHITE HOUSE.
IT'S OVER OLD MAN!
I am not certain what the point is of this report by CNN. Obama has managed to raise as much money as he has because of his positive message, compelling personal story, his expressed concern for the average American, his eloquence, his intelligence, and stated agenda of putting America back on track economically and repairing the damage perpetuated by the Republican Party on America's image abroad. But for these things, Obama would be in the same boat McCain is currently in concerning the presidential race – specifically, up the creek without a paddle.
It's a certain disappointment that it costs so much to be President of the United States anymore. I vote we go back to the old days before there was television and see how the electoral process is run. No internet rumors. No "robo-calls". No television "smears" and right-wing or left-wing news broadcasts and commentary. Let's see the heart of the candidates as they were meant to be seen: In a cross-country speech platform. I bet we'll see a heck of a lot more issues being discussed, less slander, and we'll be presented with better candidates to choose from.
But that will never happen.
I am proud to say that I voted for Obama today!
Get out and vote early, everyone!
As long as large amounts are not coming from large corporations and PACs, I'm for Obama's strategy of private financing. Fed could use the 170 millions on something else ...
In fact, I just donated $30 to Obama campaign ... The reason – I just heard Tucker Bounds on CNN telling the anchor, "the purpose of McCain's negative ads is to create FEAR among voters" .... This is not right. It takes a lot of positive ads from Obama to counteract a single negative ad.
Obama is still using the Public Finance System, just in a different way. He's received small donations from over 4 million people and NO CORPORATION MONEY OR PACs. The public is financing his campaign.
I don't know why the media is so concerned with Obama's ad spending. I completely agree with the frequency and intensity of Obama's ad spending. Obama has to make the case to the American public that we can trust him and that we can be comfortable with his leadership. Obama has the money from donation (not taxpayers) so why not out spend his opponent on ads and make McCain compete in some of the red states that he is taking for granted.
CNN SO WHAT? Is this really news… Obama spending more, what is becoming of CNN and their senseless stories that make news? Do you realize we are headed in a recession? Obama out smarted McCain and now he's mad.
BOO WOO! We have bigger fish to fry than how much Obama is spending… Give me a break! At least it's on campaign ads and not of a wardrobe and traveling for the kids…
Give me a break!
Americans are angry and scared right now. I see my coworkers having heated arguments, and I'm sick of it. I have always been a registered democrat and have always voted within my party. However, this election I just can not vote for Obama/Biden. Heck, I only voted for Kerry because he wasn't Bush. Give me a break, America! Stop with the whining about McCain being racist. Obama has made a point of playing the race card, and McCain until recently has walked around on egg shells. I'm glad to see McCain grow his pair back, and I will be voting for him and Palin come November 4th. Whatever you do, democrat or republican, don't believe for a minute that it isn't worth voting for since Obama will win anyway. Remember: Obama just spent a lot more money on campaigning than McCain. I'm sick of every time I open my home page I see Obama's face. Sick,sick,sick!!! That's what is shameful. Enough already.
Vote MCCAIN/PALIN
P.S. My friend, John McCain, I hope to see you next week in Fayetteville. We want to give you a good, old fashioned NC welcome and thumbs up!
It's an air and ground war and we're winning both. I htought McCain was the soldier. HA!!
OBAMA/BIDEN 08
Obama's spending is proof you can buy the election.
Remember when Obama promised to take public financing alone? Yeah, who cares as long as he wins, thats the attitude of the MSM. This election coverage has been a sham from the beginning if McCain flipped on this and out spent Obama 4 to 1 the cry form the Dems and the MSM outlets would be he bought the election, how unfair, how greedy, how corrupt, etc. etc. etc.
I hope McCain pulls this out because after the riots in the streets the liberal MSM will have to deal with the realization that their influence is sinking more and more.
This just goes to show what a fabulously organized campaign Sen Obama has run from the start......and folks keep saying he's not ready.....not a leader......PLEASE!!!!!!
McCain has run such a negative and nasty campaign and wonders why folks are leaving his sinking ship in droves......no honour there McCain and I doubt you'll leave this campaign with a shred of dignity!!
Sarah Palin has been USED in this campaign as well, but that was her choice.....she will also have to live with herself after this.
$100 of it is from my wife and me - first-time donors. I feel it is money well spent. And I have been a life-long Republican.
Obama is buying the Whitehouse and it is sick...
The only reason that 95% + of people benifit from Obama's plan is because over 35% do not pay taxes and will get a free check for doing nothing. So he is in essence buying the presidency by getting all these people to vote in order to get the free money.
It is a smart winning strategy, however it is not right and I am shocked not 1 person in the media is calling him out on it (that I have heard of anyway)
And my response is: So what? Further, he clearly needs to spend the money to counter the sheer SLIME of the F A I L I N/McSAME campaign.
Further still, he is getting much of his money from very ordinary people like me who cannot afford some basics but who can afford to have SLIME in the White House even less. Further still, remember, his is a limited time spending, to end around 4 November. Greedy corporations do this year in and year out
Advertise baby Advertise. We gave you the money to win. Now lets win.
EVERYONE GOOGLE "JOHN MCCAIN & PNAC" BEFORE YOU VOTE!
IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN ESPECIALLY! PLEASE RESEARCH JOHN MCCAIN'S CO-FOUNDING OF THIS RADICAL EXTREMIST ORGINIZATION!!!
JOHN MCCAIN HAS A CHILLING PLAN FOR YOUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE!!! 5 WARS & NEVERENDING SYNTHETIC WAR ON TERROR!!!
PURCHASING THE PRESIDENCY...
I never thought we would see the day when a candidate could BUY the presidency. Obama has raided the coffers of the American people at a vulnerable period in our history. And he and his wife beg for more! How much is TOO MUCH! Also, don't talk to me about Palin's $$ spent on clothing. Look at the dollars spent on Obama and his team. Unprecedented. And we are the fools.
Yep thats Obama's new way of spreading the wealth is spreading himself all over the place. If this guy becomes President I wonder if he is going to do for the small guy all that he is preaching. He is sure spending a mint to sell his image.
Because he wants to win. Duh!!
Mccain Is Almost Out Of Cash! Today I Will Donate Another 20 Dollars To Obama To Help In The Home Stretch!
I think I am OK about the advertising money for Obama...after all, it's not a Big Mac or Cell Phone he is selling! He's running for the President of the USA and our country is in big trouble.
AS A SUPPORTER OF OBAMA'S, IF THE REPUBS CAN BE DENIED THE WHITE HOUSE, AND HOPEFULLY THE CONGRESS, SO THAT THIS COUNTRY CAN BE SAVED FROM FURTHER DESTRUCTION, IT WILL BE WORTH EVERY CENT. GOD PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON ALL AMERICANS AND THE WORLD, AND LET US ELECT THE DEMOCRATS, BECAUSE WHEN THINGS HAVE GONE SO WRONG BEFORE, THEY HAVE BEEN THE ONES TO CORRECT IT.
OK, What's your point CNN?? At least he's not spending on himself or people in his campaign to LOOK GOOD! Stop trying to change the subject from what the real issues are facing Americans everyday! You are just as bad as "Fixed News" sometimes!
OBAMA/BIDEN -08!
Polles show a lead but there is really only one poll thta counts and ht one is on 4 Nov 08. Obama wants to fight to help get the USA on track. He nneds your help
VOTE FOR OBAMA
"Millions of dollars to lie. Wow! Incredible in these very low times. Tells you exactly what type of president he will be. Spend, spend, spend…..only it will be my money."
He's spending the most because he's raised the most. I'm going to donate some more right now. Obama 'O8!
McCain campaign has brainwashed his followers! They are now lying about attacks in the hopes of dividing a state along racial lines to win an election. How sickening! Send him and his cronies back to Arizona. We had had ENOUGH! Time to move forward with a dignified leader, and that leader is Obama!
You people are so silly on the Republican side to call it tax and spend. Considering how much your party has spent over the last 8 years, with the Biggest Government ever, and even McCain admitted that just yesterday. Get your facts straight before you criticize what you think Obama will do. Again~ hypocrisy at it's finest.
Maybe instead of crying around about what you think will happen in an Obama Aministration, you should move your party to a more moderate stance, and quit letting the far Right Neo-Cons have so much control of your party. Your Far Right, Religious fanatic, neo cons that have warped your entire party. No wonder so many in your party are jumping ship.
At lease Obama is spending his money on trying to win this election instead of the McCain campaign spending $150,000 on getting clueless airhead Palin some new clothes so they can lose this election in style.
OBAMA/BIDEN '08
So, Obama is spending $250 million to put our country back on track after W and his boys just cost us over $700 BILLION to bail out their cronies. I'll take the Obama model any day!
What lies? McWarmonger & Palin are repeatedly caught lying by factcheck and now can only resort to hate, smears, and fear mongering.
KC, son. If you've sent money to the McCain campaign, or if you've been unlike your buddy Joe-the-fake-plumber and you've actually paid your taxes the last few years, then you have already had your money spent, spent, spent, on a lost and wasted cause. But I truly cherish the thought of you wasting your money on the LOSERS you want elected to office.
After Obama buys the election, the socialists will kill capitalism, bankrupt Joe the Plumber, erase God from every public place and teach abortion as a method of birth control. No wonder people of Islamic faith hate Americans. I'm sure Obama will appease the terrorists when he starts retracting support from Israel. Maybe that's what Biden was talking about.
NOBAMA 08
As long as he keeps them truthful. I'm weary of smear tactics. And even Obama's campaign has placed some questionable "facts" into a few ads. On the other hand, the republican smear tactics campaign is what is turning many Independents and "swing voters" of both parties to vote Obama/Biden.
correction: We have had enough!
well, we are donating to his campaign for him to win, not for him to be economical. What do you want him to do with the money, CNN, take Biden out to Sax Fifth Ave for a shopping spree?
Which one has a more negative campaign? One man trying to buy the election. Nice job. Love that the man who wants to save us all money can spend so much of it campaigning. nice tactics..
Never heard the voters that send $ to Obama complaining /know that is what I donated for was a WIN .
My thoughts were to end sending our men/woman to this Bush,Cheney.Mccain war that was started with lies to the public we dont need 100 more years of war or another 4 more years of MC Bush / If it takes donating to accomplish electing Obama and to put the country back on track I AM ALL FOR IT 100%
That was the purpose of donations.
I think it should be worth noting that John McCain's campaign has spent as much a Wal-Mart by that same standard if you extraplolated his spending over a year as was done for Obama. That also doesn't include the money spent by the RNC on McCain, which far outweighs anything the DNC has contributed to the Obama campaign – if any. I'm also curious as to whether the $250M Obama spent includes money donated to the DNC for helping other senators/congressman in their elections. Lastly, I believe that too much emphasis is given to how much money he has raised rather than to how he was able to rasie so much money. Obama is a candidate that so many people believe in they are willing to put their money behind him – even in one of the worst economic meltdown's ever in US history. This says mor about the candidate than the fact that he is spending the money to help him get his message across to undecided voters.
Funny how Republicans want free market and small government but complain about Obama raising $700 million $86 at a time from regular people like myself. $700 million is nothing compared to the priceless looks on the faces of rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity on the morning of Nov. 5 though. Can't wait to turn on Faux News after the election.
This is as it should be. Most of the funds available to a candidate should be directly related to how much interest they can garner from the population. Obama has inspired millions of Americans and many, including myself, have given money to a campaign for the first time. He deserves every single solitary dollar that he has raised.
Obama's supporters (millions of them) have given him donations to win this race. Obama needs to make sure he uses all of his available founding to win on Nov. 4th. I don't see why this would be an issue.
Obama – Biden 08/12
I am proud to have contributed to Obama's campaign.
CHANGE IS COMING!!!
What republicans aren't getting is "we the people" have spoken with our pocketbooks and "we the people" will be YELLING WITH OUR VOTES!
I imagine to some the amount spent by Obama is obscene. But to me, it reflects what is needed to overcome the venmous politics of the Extremist Right.
What makes this all the more satisfying is that the money needed to finally bring down the Republican Party was accumulated by millions of Americans making small donations. I donated and donated close to the limit – all to see this vile administration go down. ..and I would do it again.
Long live America!
McCain is desperate and pathetic. Just look at him...he's miserable and frustrated. He has nothing to offer the American people except lies. No vision, no ideas, no plans. He's a zealot and a fraud.
I will bet you anything that the tables were turned; the McCain camp would be spending it also, after all they dropped 150K to dress Palin and her family.
So I say Obama if you got it flaunt it!
Nora Palmer
Wonder where all this money is coming from during "our worst economic crisis in our lifetime." Wasn't it the Republican Party supposed to be the party of the rich???
Well Mccain must be spending all he has here in PA...I am sick of the ads, that are all based on lies, and thinkging we are stupid and not informed.
What many of Sen. Obama's ardent supporters seem to be missing is the question "…is their candidate up to the challenge?" What if Sen. Biden is correct? What if a major international crisis is brought to bear? Is Sen. Obama up to the challenge? That is where EXPERIENCE is, in my opinion, critical. And, judging by Sen. Obama's lack of foreign policy knowledge/experience, statements made about who to sit down with and under what conditions, his lack of understanding of how to best use the military, and his willingness to openly commit to strategies as campaign rhetoric, he IS NOT the one to be sitting in the Oval office. Sen. Clinton had it right when she asked "…who do you want answering the 0300 phone call."
Obama has been brainwashing voters with all the advertising. And, his supporters criticize McCain's ad campaigns, as negative campaining and unhonorable. Double standard, no doubt. Somehow, all Obama's ads are accept able, but his supporters can't take it as they give it. If Obama is elected, I object to his spending habits...and they criticize a meager $150 on wardrobe, compared to millions to buy votes...
Obama is playing it smart. Leave IT ALL on the field. Don't think there was just one more thing you could have done come Nov 4.
When you go out there to vote you better pay good attention and double check your vote before you summit it. In some state if not all the republicans fix the machine up. If you vote straight democratic they fix the machine so your presidential vote go for McCain instead of Barack. So you might think you vote for Barack and the machine was fix and it goes the other way. So pay good attention to make sure your presidential vote goes to your choosing candidate. These are disgusting tactics that the republicans are using right now in some part of Texas and may be nationwide. We need fair and free election so rigging these machines is nothing but disgusting tactics. Also when you go to the polling place no political T-shirt because they will turn you away.
Senator Obama has inspired more people than ever before to contribute to a single campaign. These people expect Obama to spend their money on this campaign.
Obama's campaign is successfully telling the honest story of the policies that his administration will enact. Obama's campaign has only critiqued McCain/Palin regarding their policy weaknesses and their lies and smear ads.
And the US Presidency goes to the highest bidder...Obama! It has become all too apparent that the Liberal Media has once again sold its soul for a quick buck like the w h o r e that it is!
And I will continue to donate to keep it so.
I'd do the same if I wanted to sell snake-oil to our couch-potato nation. We're going to get what we deserve this election. I only hope that the liberal gloating dies down before Christmas.
Why is Obama spending so many millions of dollars on ads? Pretty simple. Because he can. He was smart enough not to be tied to public campaign financing, which is woefully inadequate, and he has inspired so many voters around the country that he continues to get donations. I think, after the 2000 election and the Florida debacle, there is a lot of paranoia in the country concerning a possible theft of this election. So Obama is going for a knock-out at the polls, rather than a split decision. I can't say I blame him. The Republican machine has a long history of shenanigans at the polls and voter intimidation. Obama is wise to keep the peddle to the metal.
If some of you WANT TO BE REPUBLICANS would stop and go tot he OBama Tax calculator and let it show you how much more tax relief his plan offers you might understand how silly your comments have sounded all this time. By the way in a resession like the one we are in it sometimes is wise to spend money to get it flowing again. Famlies without money do not buy new cars, or go out to eat, or go on vacations, or buy a new computer. They need to be sure they have a JOB, and money coming in. It is wise to spend money to build roads, bridges, invest in new energy programs this gets money back in the system and flowing so th Joe's can go out and spend it and get the economy moving again.
In my opinion Obama did use a form of public financing: we the public who believe in him financed his campaign.
Are John McCain and Sarah Palin deaf, stupid, or just dishonest (and I guess we can rule out deaf)? First, Joe Biden NEVER said Barack Obama was any more likely to be "tested" than John McCain. He was making that point that the NEXT President (and he feels that will be Barack Obama) will be tested. Why does the McCain campaign feel that they need to distort people's words? Is it because they don't have any messages of their own?
Also, John McCain says that he has been "tested". I agree. He has been tested throughout this campaign and FAILED. He selected a running mate that is clearly unqualified for the job, has not had a consistent and clear plan for putting this country back on track, and has shown that he will do little to repair America's standing in the world community. While I respect his service to this country, that was over 30 years ago and nothing in his current record shows any proof that he will be able to lead in a time of crisis.
I wish the American people would get real. All our money has already been spent. We have borrowed hundreds of billions from other countries to fight two wars, live beyond our means and now we have to pay up. This fight over who is going to raise our taxes and who is going to give tax brakes is B.S. . We have spent the money, now we have to pay up !!!!
I am pleased at the way the Democratic campaign has been run – economically and ethically. If this is an indication of how the US will be run under Obama's administration, what else could we ask for?
Make no mistake, it will not be easy but I will do my part to contribute to society.
Give me a break! The millions of PEOPLE who've donated to his campaign have given him that money precisely for him to do exactly what he's doing. I suppose the Republicans would have been more than happy for him to have sat back like Kerry did and do nothing while they tar and feather him with smears. Of COURSE he's had to spend so much more than other candidates. Like most minorities in this country, he had to work twice as hard to get the same recognition. Has everyone forgotten that Hillary was all but a shoe-in when the campaign started? It was only by advertising that Senator Obama was able to get his name out to the general public.
If your gonna lie...lie all out. If people hear it enough they will fall for it. Obama knows this is the only way he can win. His ludicrous agenda against McCains will not fly by itself. He's gotta get it to every trailer park and low rent apartment complex he can.
You can do that when you have the financial support of THE PEOPLE behind you!
Can you say election bought and paid for by who knows. Kinda scary if you ask me.
Those millions are donated by people like ME who want him to spend it on his campaign to counter all the LIES MCCAIN has been spreading.
glad to see my donations being put to good use!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Obama!
Soooo if thousands donate to your campaign, are you supposed to not use it in your campaign, for electing the president they want? Shoukd he just keep it? They should ask Obama donors (most of them average Americans, not like McCain full of money donated by lobbies and especial interest groups) if the money shouldn't be used to for the campaign. If McCain's campaign would have more resources than Obama then they wouldn't be whining so much... they are jealous, like sore-losers jealous. Go OBAMA/BIDEN!
That's power FROM the people. It's not magic that McCain hasn't raised nearly as much, and though it was mishandled it shows Obama obviously knew what he was doing neglecting public financing, seems to be working in his favor.
Yes Abby I just saw that on CNN TV as I was reading the ticker here. Good Job Johnny boy, now your supporters are sinking to your level. People of the lowest denominator often gravitate toward people of the lowest common denominator
What would you expect? It's the most talk-about US election ever...so everything has to exceed expectations!
@KC....."Millions of dollars to lie. Wow! Incredible in these very low times."
The money Obama is spending has been provided by people like myself who contribute to his campaign. He is not spending the taxpayer's money like McCain. So he has the right to spend it any way he sees fit.
On the other hand, "Spend, spend, spend". Just what do you think the republicans have been doing the past 8 years, saving money LOL!
The more ads, the better. The more ads, the more comfortable people get with his name, his face, his policies, his intellect. Go Obama.
WHOSE PROBLEM IS THAT ?
WE THE PEOPLE, GAVE IT TO HIM, TO SPEND.
AS WE HAVE SEEN,AMERICANS CAN BE FOOLED.
BUT WE CAN NOT BE RULED OR GOVERNED, FOR
THAT MATTER. WE OWN THE GOVERNMENT. ELECTED
OFFICIALS WORK FOR US. THIS MAY BE A SURPRISE TO SOME.
BUT THE SLEEPING GIANT IS AWAKE. OBAMA WORKS FOR US.
I ABSOLUTELY don't blame Obama's campaign for this after so many robo-calls and very negative ads FULL OF SMEARS, trying to link and exaggerate his relationship with "shady" people... Obama is just trying to secure this election and fight back If THOUSANDS of his supporters gave him the money it is because they believe in his cause... WHY NOT USE THE RESOURCES FOR THE CAUSE THAT THEY BELIEVE??? Lets finish this and get Obama elected!
Yea well my pick for president is much more important than my pick of cell phone service provider.
Kerry did not spend enough you guys complained, Obama is spending enough and you guys still complain, I guess no one can win here. Seems to me someone's desperate for a story.
It's terrible that Obama's grandmother is ailing and it is reported that she may not live to see Nov. 4th, but why would he be hitting the campaing trail so quickly again tomorrow and why are his wife and daughters not in Hawaii with Obama? Doesn't family come first above all else? If it were my grandmother, my whole family would be there spending as much time as we could. So much for family values and what is really important.....
KC,
Actually its my money he is spending, not yours. And I will give him more.
The future seems bright. Get your shades.
Let's not compare Apples and Oranges. So McDonalds only spends 588 Million per year. The per year part is important here. These are companines whose advertising strategy is for the long term. They aim, in part, to create brand recognition over a long period of time. By contrast, political candidates are trying to get their identities out there and create recognition in a fairly short period of time. You also don't see these companies having to spend ad dollars responding to frequent, direct attacks on their own brands. Both of these facts make it hard to compare add spending of candidates to corporations, especially when you try to extrapolate the figures to some kind of made up annual figure. Sure, there is some room for debate about the amounts of money that have been spent on this campaign, but let's please keep the discussion grounded in reality.
Why is it that when Alqaida endores McCWar he does not agree with them but when they say the front war they war on terror is in Iraq he agrees with them, I dont understand the logic
Hey KC,
He's spending MY money. Millions of other people from all walks of life, from all backgrounds, all ages have given money for him to BEAT THE HELL OUT OF GUYS LIKE YOU.
Deal with it.
Forget it Abby.... the lie and hox has already been reported on MSNBC among other places ..... yet CNN keeps the lie and untruth on the front page of the politics section.
Don't worry. If McCain could manage to raise as much money or enthusiasm as Obama he'd be spending just as much money on advertising. He'd also probably spend a few hundred thousand dollars more on clothes for his VP if he had the cash, since he's clearly of the opinion that a woman's appearance helps determine her qualifications as a world leader.
The fact is, however, that McCain doesn't have the cash because he's not really wanted by the American people. He hasn't compelled them, and he hasn't effectively led his own campaign. The fact that he can't come up with enough cash to compete doesn't make me feel very confident that he'll know where to get the cash to run our country either.
That's because there are many of us out here that donate what we can on a regular basis because we KNOW that this country needs new leadership
Obama must spend that much so that he can hammer home the message. No one will believe it if he only tells a lie a few times. But if ignorant people keep hearing a lie over and over...soon they'll begin to belive it. It's called propoganda.
What if McCain was able to raise the same amount of funds that Obama has raised? Do you think McCain would be spending the same amount on advertising?
Absolutely.
But what is more important?
1 Who spends more on advertising? Or
2 Who spends most of their advertising dollars on positive ads that address real issues?
doesn't this just confirm how much the people want change? since all his ad money comes from donation?
No Problem.
People who wanted change paid for the adverts.
I don't see that there is a problem with the Obama campaign spending money that was donated to the campaign on ads. Aren't ads what we expect campaign funds to be spent on instead of $150,000 on clothing, hair and make-up?
KC don't be so stupid. The money was given voluntarily for him to spend.
If McCain had it, he'd be spending it, too.
Do NOT criticize Sen. Obama's spending of the money that WE donated to him. That is WHY we donated it to him, to use for advertisements and all other necessary items in his run for the presidency. Who cares how much he is spending? That's what the money is for.
STACIE,
Are you blind? 90% of what CNN posts is pro-Obama!
Obama and tbe DNC “ADMITTED”, by way of failure to timely respond to Requests for Admissions, all of the numerous specific requests in the Federal lawsuit. Obama is “NOT QUALIFIED” to be President and therefore Obama must immediately withdraw his candidacy for President and the DNC shall substitute a qualified candidate. The case is Berg v. Obama, No. 08-cv-04083.
Obama's money comes from thousands of people like me who have donated what they can because they believe in him. McCain's money was given to him by the government. The government money also comes from us, of course, in the form of taxes. At least when we give money to Obama it's our decision.
Hey KC – are you ok with the $150,000 that was spent on Palin for her hair, make-up and clothes?
Seriously, they are BOTH spending millions on ads. It's how the process works – and it doesn't matter which becomes president because your money is going to get spent anyway.
The comparisons to McDonalds and Walmart in terms of name branding are unfair. These companies have been around for many decades. Obama's brand is only been around for a couple of years. that needs to factored in.
Barack Obama is a mega brand. John McCain is a standard brand. This country needs mega leader. We have mega problems caused by the last 8 years under the Bush administration that hopfully he will be fixed.
HB
CNN – No bias, no bull
Why not the news of protest blocking Palin's campaign route.
KC ur unbelievable!! Millions of dollars to lie, people gave and are still giving to the Obama campaign because he's a true leader, exactly what this country needs. Your candidate is running out of money because the republicans are not given because they don't believe in McCain and the money they are give and going towards Palins clothing allowance of 150K to include a $4,000 hand bag for her daughter.
Change we can believe in is Obama/Biden
I think the salvation of this country and it's effect on the world are worth even more than that amount. If you ask the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, the folks suffering from home foreclosure and high gas prices, as well as the falsely imprisoned being tortured at Guantanamo and other prisons....that is money well spent!
McCain and his obviously cheap supporters had the same opportunity to raise as much as they wanted. Millions of supporters of Obama are the ones that made the difference. So, put up (for your candidate) or shut up!
DON"T LET THE MEDIA CHOOSE YOUR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!
It's all relative, right? Obama is able to utilize the amount of funding his many supporters continue to provide. Same for McCain, even though he has to combine his finances with those of the Republican National Committee. Fair enough.
Obama has more to spend because he has more of a message that more Americans can get behind, and so many want to advance that message. Fair enough!
THE MEDIA HAS VOTED- NOW CAST YOUR BALLOT!!!!!!!!!
$ 250 million in 4 months ! Things can't be that bad in George Bush COUNTRY.
Being a life-long Christian and a pastor's kid, there's a saying in the church that most people don't want to admit to: people vote with their pocketbooks. Meaning, they might attend church, but if they aren't tithing or giving, they aren't happy. Much of Obama's money has been raised through donations by everyday people. Some of these people are in areas so Republican that they know their actual ballot will have no effect on the electoral college outcome, but their $5 or $10 WILL have an effect in a battleground state.
People are voting with their pocketbooks. $600 million of them so far.
Obama/Biden '08.
I sincerely doubt that our founding fathers intended for someone to BUY the presidency.
Our legislators should put a stop to this before any more presidental elections by setting limits on spending.
Becoming President of the United States should be possible for anyone. By permitting even ONE president to buy his way into office we insult the values upon which this country is based and we set a precedent that none of us should want to be set.
I will be voting for McCain and against Obama in part for this very reason.
Something tells me that many will vote for the same old politics, because for many humans who do not learn well, staying in the same place is comfortable, no matter how bad it is. That explains why so many poor just stay in the slums, when they could work harder to move out, and how those who leave the slums are criticised by those who remain.
Just human nature would give the McCain Palin ticket the winning numbers. It takes a thinking generation to want to go for Obama.
This election just may show up how educated the USA really is.
Obama is not eligible to be POTUS unless he proves without a shadow of doubt that he is a legitimate citizen of the U.S.A. ALthough his campaign has posted a birth certificate as proof of citizenship rumors abound on its legitimacy. Obama has yet to release personal records from his college years too. There are at least three lawsuits against Obama demanding he release an ORIGINAL and real birth certificate. One of the lawsuits is in Hawaii and the judge is set to give a ruling today. Is that the REAL reason why Obama suspended his campaing and flew to Hawaii?
@KC
Obama is spending HIS money...money freely given to him by supporters! (Myself included). it takes a lot of money to pay for ads refuting all the McCain/Palin lies!!!
Tone: Apart from complaints about the accuracy of campaign ads, network reporters often disdained the negative tone of ads. Again, McCain was on the receiving end of nearly three times as many stories scolding his supposed negativity (66) as Obama (26). But according to the Wisconsin Advertising Project's review of ads from June 4 to October 4, and taking into account ads that include both positive and negative messages, "the tone of the McCain and Obama campaigns has been absolutely identical."
WOW... you would think so reading the media twisted blogs!
-Undecided
Forget about Obama's advertising, anyone can get money donated from supporters. McCain has the best advertising team ever. They are willing to get beat up for their candidate!
Sorry, but I can't stop laughing.
And Still Voting Obama in 08!
I'm happy to be one of the millions who contributed!! I'm Maggie, and I approve this message.
BTW, I voted today.
GO FIGURE !!!!!
THE LOBBYISTS HAVE OWNED OUR PRESIDENTS
FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS. WE OWN THIS ONE.
YOU CAN BET YOUR LAST DOLLAR, WE WONT
SEE OBAMA HOLD HANDS WITH THE SAUDI KING,
WHILE WALKING THE HALLWAYS OF HIS PALACE,
LIKE OUR DEAR OLD "KING" GEORGE.
THEY OWNED BUSH LOCK, STOCK & BARREL
THE SAME PEOPLE OWN MCSENILE.
Tell the truth about the John Mccain supporter who lied about being attacked. She carved a "B" into her own face which should have been obvious by the way it was backward as if looking in a mirror. Report the truth now that you've already spread the lie.
Hey, if it gets Obama into the White House, more power to him!!!!!!!! I certainly hope that behind the scenes in the "Straight-Talk Express", McCain is regretting his decision to take public financing.
Chris from NC
It is a sad commentary on our society when a candidate has to spend millions of dollars to get elected, that we have hungy children and homeless families on the streets of America, that so many Americans can't get BASIC health care, and the list goes on!
It's just another sad commentary on how BROKEN our government and country is.
We need unity – not division.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08
Sadly, much of America gets it's information from either ads on TV or the internet.
You are observing the outright purchase of the 'presidency' by the Obama campaign.
Good-bye U.S.A.
Everyone knows that in order for a black person to be recognized he/she has to give 200%, everyone else gives 100% or less. Obama has to do double duty in everything he sets out to do in order for him to be successful. I think Alexander Mooney is pulling at straws to find something negative to say about Obama.
Obama "08
McCain's campaign has spent more on Sarah Palin's wardrobe and makeup than on ads...
Don't worry about such things.
If obama is able to lie and steal this election you can be sure he will do it again in 4 years.
After 8 years he will lie and steal the election for his wife.
After her 8 years he will lie and steal the election for anyone he wants in office.
You see, this situation is going to be never ending. We in the southern states learned along time ago that when they get their hands on one of your cities, you are never able to get them out of office again. That's why Atlanta belongs to them today.
I don't understand how 50% of the country can be so stupid as to put this scum in office.
You Republicans are sooo jealous! When the shoe was on the other foot as Repubs always have a financial advantage over Dems in presidential elections all was good, but now that Obama has out spent, out witted and out lasted his opponents there seems to be a problem. Double standard comes to my mind. Go Obama Go!
Obama received campaign contributions from millions of Americans, and those contributions have to be used for the campaign.. he's not allowed to pocket the money. So, of course he's spending all that money on advertising.
What about the witchdoctor that exercised the snake demon out of Pailin? Pastor Muthee? Please stay fair and balanced. I'm watching....
Stacie, was your comment a joke? Because last time I checked, CNN is a liberal news source. They do more Obama supporting than McCain supporting, so your comment makes ZERO sense.
Liberals need to wake up and realize that, yes, Obama may have a lot of good qualities. BUT HE'S NOT SOME PERFECT GOD. He is spending more than an unprecedented amount of money to advertise during his campaign, and where does it come from.....?
For reference, I'm a liberal-leaning moderate
Stacie, are you kidding??? CNN Is all about Obama.
folks – we the people ARE the public financing for Obama's campaign – in contributions of support – not general revenue TAX dollars. HIS is truly legitimate public financing........the money we've sent in is because we support HIM – not just the government alloting our tax dollars to someone whom we do not support. This IS the better way and too bad for the boo-hooing republicans.......you are the richer folks, so why haven't you all coughed up the dough – huh?
Obama 08/12
"anyone thinking of running for president in four years will have to ask themselves one question before jumping in – Can I raise $600 million?"
I don't care what party you are affiliated with, that is obscene and very, very wrong. What a waste. We're not trying to decide what kind of beer we want, this is a Presidential election! Public financing rules were set up with good intentions, this is proof it needs to be mandatory, not a choice. $600M. I'm sick thinking about where that money could have gone for better use.
Hey KC,
He is spending the money because America's fate is at stake. The republicans have DONE THEIR BEST to ruin the country. I hope he spends EVEN more, I will send him money. I don't want a gimmick VP, a President that DOES NOT SUPPORT VETERANS, a President that wins by calling fellow Americans "unpatriotic", a President that stirs those same foolish idealologies in his/her supporters, a President who IS CLUELESS on the economy, a President that receives economic advice from Phil "The Deregulator" Graham, a President who is supported by Lindsay Graham, and a President who is republican!
So spend Obama/Biden, get the word out, tell the truth, fight against the republican/GOP slander machine.
KC, Bush and wall street is already "spending your money"! We don't need another republican idiotic moron in the White House. The main reason Obama has so much money to spend on these ads is becsuae he has so many many many more supporters who are seiously backing his campaign! McCain not so much...his campaign is on its last leg...he is dying...it is too late for McCain, Palin, Rick Davis, Tucker Bounds and there disgusting sleazy Karl Rove campaign! It is about time we get these types of lying repugs. out of the white House...that would truly be a "breath of fresh air"!
That's what his million plus of donors have given him money to do – to advertise. I don't see how else he is supposed to reach all of America. There's no possible way to sit down and have a conversation with every person in this country. I donated a modest amount, but I expected every cent to be used towards him winning this election. If that means ads, if that means billboards, if that means paying his staff – I wanted my money to be used for this, and I suspect the rest of his of donors would agree.
Everytime Palin says something stupid (which is pretty often) or McCain tells another lie....we donate to Obama!! That's where all the money comes from
.
Obama has to spend millions in ads in order to be competitive. Unlike McCain, he came in as the unknown and he somehow had to make himself known.... How difficult is this to figure out?
He got donations from common working folks, and some rich folks, like myself. He can spent it on anything he wants, cos that's our money. We have no complaints. Sarah Palin can spend any amount of money she wants on her clothes, I don't care, cos that's not my money. Looking good is one thing, Mccain said Obama wants to look good.... well, so what? Michelle Obama is more down to earth, she doesn't wear so much make-up, she's "raw" and I like that! She's more like my wife, who is plain and simple, yet sophisticated on the inside. Michelle will become a great First Lady, she has my vote, because I don't want my President to look bad outside of MY COUNTRY! She doesn't need make up or any nice clothes, because she has the brain!
Why don't my comments ever get out of moderation?
Let's not pretend that Sen. Obama would have stood a chance to get his message out to these die hard republican voters if he could not spend as much as he has. First of all, he is not near as wealthy as McCain vis a vis Cindy and he does not have near the fear-mongering, arm-twisting "Rovian" power players like McCain. After all, isn't that why McCain is pandering to all the Carl Rove directives so that he can get money from the neocons and have the GOP spend the money (i.e., the fashion show of $150,000+ that Sarah Baraclueless wears). If Sen. Obama was restricted to the federal funds, he would have been burried by the McCain/Palin "terrorist" mud by now. I hope he keeps spending because the GOP will and the media is owned by the GOP so they don't press either McCain or Palin for hard answers.
McCain attack on Bidens comment about being tested in the first six months in office is a joke, his buddy leberman say the same thing and you don't hear to much about it.
whoever has the most money wins !!!!
KC – Would you like to rethink the comment about "spend, spend, spend' for Obama? At least you would benefit from the programs he would implement and NOT a wardrobe - why didn't they put some of that money towards advertising? it's all about choices and it just goes to show you where their priorities are.......
GO OBAMA~!!
Just because the shoe is on the other foot don't complain. When the Republicans have always had more money for campaigns no one was standing up to say it wasn't fair. The fact is that a huge number of people in this country donated to see the best candidate win for a change. You can blame these large donations of cash on Bush!
Tricky math here, something you'd expect from McCain. $250 million in 4 months does not equal $750 million in a year because the Obama campaign hasn't been spending at that rate all year. Like a retailer spending $100 million the month before Christmas and saying that's a $1.2 billion annual advertising budget!
Anywho, Obama has already saved the taxpayers $84 million by not taking public financing.
I could care less about paid political advertisements – akin to watching "As seen on TV" advertisements. Public exposure of candidates that is worthwhile is a function of the news media and oddly during this campaign via SNL and the Colbert Report.
It seems to me that the brains (if you can call them that) behind the scenes organizing campaigns haven't a clue as to how to reach mainstream Americans – TV advertisements work for the Super Bowl – who in their right mind pays any attention or makes a decision about a candidate by watching a blooming ad?
My impressions of McCain – An angry old man. Obama – a risk, but the lesser of two evils. Labels that stick – McRage, that Tiger Woods Guy, the Hot Babe. Sorry none were based on any advertisement.
He said he was "scrappy".
Good to see...as O'rielly put it....
"He has totally shredded the most powerful political machine on earth".
Actually, the people have.
it is probably an indication of what he will do with our money if he
gets in office hand in hand with Pelosi and Reed.
Obama has definitely changed the way of fund-raising. His transparency in his campaign, youtube speeches, Obama iphone backgrounds, Facebook appearances, and blocking McCain from purchasing good slots for advertising. Whether you like him or not, you gotta give it to the guy. His campaign is running like a well-oiled machine. These are the folks who brought down the Clinton Dynasty. Times are changing.
we work for Verizon, no wonder they cry poverty all the way to the bank.
Are you not tired of these smear tactics?
Sister Sarah is waiting in the wings to be the next GOP candidate.
Your campaign staffers are rating out each other.
McCain you are all by yourself, look beyond the Plumber's crack and you will see how you are been set-up by your own team!!
Try to salvage what is left of your battered image and leave Senator Obama alone, he is not the source of your problems, your campaign wounds are self inflicted, the biggest gash being the pick of sister Sarah!!!
If I recall, in the last two elections the Republicans were spending a ton more money than the Dems had. No one mentioned that then, because Bush had all the big CEO's and oil people behind him. We never lost either of those races because the majority thought Bush was the better person – no, we lost because we didn't have the financing we do this year. In a sometimes subtle way, the media is going along with the Repubs in making it look like there's something unethical about it, now that Obama has accumulated so much he can afford to do what we couldn't do before. Not only are they hypocritical, but the media is too if they're infering the same. That's what wins in politics, money. When the GOP can pay $150,000 in clothes for their trophy v.p., and the wife of the GOP candidate can spend hundreds of thousands on her clothes (I don't care if its her family's money, or the CEO of Enron) – that's extravagant. To make fun of Michele Obama for wearing a $65.00 dress on the View seems quite condescening in my mind. If Obama wears a $150.00 suit and McCain wears $150.00 pair of shoes – that's quite so bad, as people I know who make less than $100,000 a year wouldn't think that's expensive. However, the jest of the whole thing is ludacrous when you have to dress up the nominated vice presidential candidate because she hasn't anything but her looks and clothes to run on. Gee, I wonder if the Dems paid for Hillary's pantsuits that everyone laughed at and made jokes about. I guess she didn't get designer pant suits like Cindy McCain, that cost thousands of dollars. I'll take Hillary and Michele anyday – and after the election, I think we'll see more of these lesser expensive materialistic spending by President Obama.
Of course he has to spend more than those companies...
(1) Those other brands have already established their name, for them its only maintenance spending!...Not only in Barack trying to establish his name with American, he apparently has to defend it to close-minded idiots who think he sounds like a terrorist!
(2) His product is more important, if the consumers by the other guy (Brand X) then the country goes to hell!
KC, the millions of dollars the campaign is spending are from those of us who freely donated funds to support the democratice nominee. When Senator Obama gets elected, he will do better than the current administration head by using money generated by our tax dollars more wisely in order to benefit this Country. The taxes paid do not come from your taxes alone; we all pay taxes KC.
Isn't if funny how CNN reports on the two companies that placed a tower for the convenience of the McCains? You see KC, money not only talks, but it gets results.
Such a pity he has to be using sooo much money to try to combat the McAngry lies!
yeah!!!!!! Way to go OB you are spending my donations'ssssss very wisely.
Beats spending on clothes. The money he received is used to buy ads. He is outspending because more people have donated to him for this purpose. Unlike the other group that took what little they had to dress up the attack dog.
Oh by the way lets talk about the hoax the lady pulled about getting attacked by a Obama supporter because she had a McPalin sticker on her car. She has been arrested.
Wow....sad they are scraping the bottom.
Don't forget AT&T and Verizon, who sent all your phone records to teh government.
Let's be clear: This money has come most from AMERICANS ... just normal people, many who can send small amounts. And I get the records show many are not only NEW, first time donors, but there are probably a number of repeat donors as well.
After 2000, they know what it takes to win an election. Sad commentary in terms of having to spend a bazillion on an electin – but Obama is spending the money to win, which is why people donated it in the first place.
As of August 1st, the RNC had a $150 million advantage over the Democratic party. This is a huge discrepancy and is why there have been only two Democratic presidents in the last 40 years.
The reason so many Republicans voted for the McCain/Feingold bill was because they knew the RNC always raises $100-200 million more than the Democratic Party.
True campaign finance reform requires that NO advertising from anyone other than the candidates. This means, banning the Swift Boat attacks.
Force both candidates to start with the amount of money and they cannot take any donations.
Ads need to be limited to only the candidates finances
Ban donations to all parties (Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, etc). Everyone gets the same money and the best candidate wins.
Hey CNN- FYI.. I just went online to donate another $50 to Obama because I don't want him to run out of money to win this election. McCain is slick and sleazy and Obama must fight against McCain negative ads. People give whatever you can.
Let's get Obama in office.
Those millions of dollars represent public money. Money from average Joe's like me who want their voices heard.
The real point is: this is how much it costs to drown out the voices of special interests. If Obama wins, and I hope he does, it will show the public wanted to be heard and it was willing to put its money where its mouth and aspirations are.
to kc and all the other repugs thanks for the money, we will spend your money well but not on the rich anymore. keep that check book out we are going to want some more of your money too. Lord know we have given enough of our the last eight years so I see it as getting a good return for your missmanagement.
Republicans are upset that they are being outspent in this election. Before,it was the republican money machine that always spent more than democrats. Now they tide has turned and they are getting a taste of their own medicine. How does it feel boys? Remember that famous word? KARMA
There ya go!!!
Hope. Change. One of us.
Spend more money than the other guy, and 99% of the corporations you plan on taxing, and you're bound to get elected, experienced or not.
Where did all this money come from? Oh yeah, $5 and $10 Internet donations. I believe that.
I donated....will shell out a little bit more to donate in these last days... Go on president Obama. At least that donation was not forced out of me.
So what – McCain go tell somebody that cares.
Your VP spent $150,000 of Republican money on clothes and she isn't through yet.
GLAD to see that our donations are being put to good use. I find it interesting with all the far-right-folks on these blogs that McCain has not made more money. Everyone I know whom is supporting Sen. Obama has donated to his campaign.....monthly!
I heard on NPR that the majority of donations are coming from Retirees and Students!
The average donations ..........$86.
YES WE CAN, AMERICA,,,,,,, YES WE CAN! PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE!
Obama has the money to spend donated from supporters so why not?
I mailed my vote in today for SENATOR OBAMA. I encourage everyone else to do the same as early as possible.
I wish his grandmother prayers for a healthy recovery to see him inaugurated in January.
I do think some type of apology is owed from this "attacked" woman (who lied) from an Obama supporter. I cant seem to bring myself to have sympathy for ignorance.
@KC
What money? doyou make more than $250,000? If so, you should be happy to help Americans that are less fortunate. If not, sit down and leave your conservative view points to those that are like you. I am tired of you Repubes calling everyone out but not looking at the big picture, which is we all live in this country and should be willing to help eachother in a time of need. You are just a greedy ignorant fool.........
As a 40 year long republican this is why I have been donating to Obama/Biden for the last few months!!! NO MCPalin!!!!
Obama got his money from the little guys, like me for instance. He does not owe his soul to the big money guys like McCain. So what if he spends.
Maybe he will want to spend spend spend. Just remember that to do so congress must say yes. Usually it does so after negotiations. But in the end they are still the ones writing the checks. Same thing about Iraq. Bush wanted to go and the senate said "ride 'em cowboy!"
When you become president Obama, we will help you even more!Thanks for saving us from going down with the Titanic!
AWESOME,, I'M SO PROUD OF THE OBAMA TEAM, AND I'M PART OF IT, HE'S A MAN WITH A REEEL PLAN
If you have EARLY VOTING in your state get out and VOTE today.
If not get to te voting stations early and make sure your vote gets counted.
Do not let anyone tell you that you can't vote. Demand to see a voting official.
@ ABBY : I WAS WATCHING CNN DURING LUNCH AND CNN ....DID......REPORT THAT THE "CRIME" AGAINST THE 20 YEAR OLD, WAS ...............BOGUS!
ANOTHER LOW FOR REPUBLICANS! GOOD GRIEF! CAN 'T YOU PEOPLE TELL THE TRUTH?
Stacie, have you been living under a rock
is there anything positive to say about Obama??
I'm glad to see that you can buy the Office of the Presidency these days. Absolutely disgusting. So much for a democracy!
Well if he has the money and clearly he does I say go for it.
Obama uses the money I donated. I don't mind a single bit.
Wow!
Yet no one talks about Obama's wardrobe.
Yet no one has a problem with Obama's $1mil Greek Temple at the DNC convention.
But let the focus be on a false story about "Palin getting $150,000 wardrobe at a time when people are loosing their mortgages!"
Wow!
Typical trying to buy an election. Is this really the politics of change? Sounds like Chicago style politics!
What is he supposed to do? Not spend the money? He has it to spend and money is very very important in politics so why would he save it?
If you really think about it Obama is probably propping up a small portion of the economy with all the money he is spending. Just another reason to vote for him.
Does anyone think McBush wouldn't spend money in exactly the same way as Obama if he had that much to spend?
That's what happens when you get voluntary contributions. The people want REAL change.
Wouldn't it be awesome if she snitches that it was McCain's idea?
A man of his word? Change that we need? What other promises will he break? It will be fun to start counting late evening on November 4th.
bulldog, im not sure where you are going with that...
Maybe the Obama negavity come from the fact that Exxon Mobil is one of CNN biggest sponsors..
Curious someone let me know how this is possible
John McCain has spent $110 million since the general election began.
Did he not get public finanacing that limits him to 84 mil?
Someone let me know here..
It's campaign money...I thought that's what you supposed to do with it?
I wonder why Michelle and the two girls are not going to Hawaii to visit Grandmother. How often has grandmother seen the girls. If she is as bad as Obama says and he actually cares about her the way he has acted the last few days i would think the girls and Michelle would be on their way to hawaii with him. FISHY, but so is the rest of Obama dealings.
I can't help but think how much good the millions spent by Obama (huge amount) and McCain (much lesser amount) would have done for the starving children of the world. Instead, television stations are getting richer from this out of control spending and who does it help in the long run? There should be a limit to what a presidential candidate is allowed to spend on advertising. That would also level the playing field.
Mega-brand sounds about right.
Why so many people funnel their money into this pointless enterprise is beyond me. Save it and pay off your homes instead!
It's ok and is indeed newsworthy to note the amount of money Obama is spending in the campaign. But CNN, please do not embellish reporting to sensationalize it. Report the facts. Obama spending $250 million in 4 months is not the same as spending $750 in a year. Come on. You can't annualize just for your convenience. He have been running for 2 years so get his expensidure for a year and report on it, not take the highest few months, annualize it and call it facts. If I buy a car in December for $20k, will you report than that it's the same as me spending $240k on transporation in a year?
And this is news because??????
I like it better when you are reporting on the real issues that plagues us.
Ok, so he spent 250 mil in the past few months, but he has NOT spent 750 million total, because he hasn't been spending at the same rate all year. This article is deceptive.
Yeah great obamas supporters really want him to get elected and have owned up to enthusiasm by helping him ward off the smear campaign that hes chosen not to wage, he has yet to do an ad on the Keaton 5 or gordon liddy, or troopergate which by mccains standards should be fair game right?. hey CNN how about updating that GOP staffers attack claim eh? Race baiting to the extreme, not only did she say her attacker was black ,but described every article of clothing down to his socks as being black, pathetic
"Oh you mean AT&T and Verizon, the two companies that put up cell phone towers for free on John and Cindy McCain's property in Arizona BEFORE he was even the Republican nominee."
Secret Service installed those. Typical Obama supporter. Weak on the facts and issues. That's what happens when you fall in head over heals in love with someone.
Mega-brand sounds about right.
Why so many people funnel their money into this pointless enterprise is beyond me. Save it and pay off your homes instead!
Correct me if I am wrong but isn't that why they raise money to buy ads and print flyers and signs plus open offices in states? Yes it is a lot of money but I bet if the other party had the same they would do the same.
From the article – "he has spent enough to be a mega-brand," CMAG's Evan Tracey said."
And unfortunately he is being sold as a brand rather than a person – he is the magical cure to all evils and excesses, the one who can fix everything, leap tall buildings in a single bound... and who has so beguiled the media including CNN that the amount of pure fabricated criticism toward the other campaign is astounding. It just goes to show that you can buy your way into history if you can get enough others to pay for your excessive and expensive means of travel. Public financing should not be dead but be the prerequisite for all future campaigns. Just how much does Obama need from the very ones he is supposedly saying all need his help, yet he keeps taking their money? Just when is enough enough for this big spender?
Where's all the put-downs? There's usually tantrums about how much money the other campaign is spending. But what can you expect? Once biased, always biased!
only one right now helping the economy look how much money he's giving back
Stupes give me a break... First the press complaining that they dont know the dam man.. crap about he being an unknown.. Now his campaign is working to insure that the people of America knows Obama, the press complaning he spending cash on ads... LOL LOL OBAMA / BIDEN 08
Obama is spending 600 million to buy the Presidency.
That is absolutely an unfair advantage! Swaying the vote with money! Obama broke his campaign funding pledge just as he will break his campaign promises. This man is not to be trusted. He has too many X's in the 'Con' column for me!
well we have to tell the truth about out mccain
I wonder how valuable is the Obama brand? hum..
It's worth noting that most of the money he's spending is from individual contributors. Still no money from special interests or PACs. So the real news is NOT how much he's spending, but how he got it in the first place – the active financial support of more people than any other campaign in history.
Let's get real here folks. If John McCain had the funds to spend he would be right up there doing the same thing trying to stay on top in the race. But thank GOD the USA may finally get a President that is worthy of the office.
Go OBAMA/BIDEN.......People, get out there and VOTE and let's get this victory done.
I would rather he spend it on getting his message out there rather than dressing his running mate.