McCain outspending Obama on TV ads in Missouri
Since his visit to southwest Missouri last week, presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain has aired more than three times as many campaign ads in the state as his Democratic rival, Barack Obama.
McCain’s campaign outspent and out-aired Obama in every major media market in Missouri, including St. Louis, from June 19 through last Wednesday. McCain held a town-hall forum in Springfield, Mo. on June 18.
McCain spent $224,696 for 791 spots that ran on local broadcast stations around Missouri. That compares to $115,054 spent by the Obama campaign to air 212 spots.
McCain’s more aggressive spending comes as both campaigns say that Missouri is among their targeted states as they head into the remaining four months before the Nov. 4 general election.
Both candidates’ ad spending in Missouri and Illinois is being monitored for the Post-Dispatch by the Campaign Media Analysis Group, a Virginia-based, nonpartisan firm.
McCain is running no TV ads on local stations in Illinois, while Obama is currently spending a small amount — about $25,000 for spots airing in southern Illinois markets.
The Obama ad airing in Missouri is a 60-second biographical spot, while McCain’s two ad spots each run 30 seconds. His newest ad, which began airing Friday, promotes McCain’s energy proposals.
Both campaigns are running the bulk of their ad spots during morning and evening TV news programs.
Both also seem to be targeting women and the elderly. Both campaigns are running spots on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show, the Wheel of Fortune game show and Entertainment Tonight, a celebrity gossip show.
Obama’s ads also are running on local syndicated broadcasts of the TV drama, “Law and Order,’’ while McCain prefers chef Rachael Ray’s show, as well as the numerous courtroom shows, such as “Judge Judy” and “The People’s Court.”
Both presidential candidates are dramatically outspending the only other candidates running TV ads in Missouri: the two Republican contenders for governor.
U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof spent $32,981 over the past week to run 275 spots, mostly in southwest Missouri. His rival, state Treasurer Sarah Steelman, spent $51,452 to 200 ad spots.
I dont read anything into the fact that McCain HAS to outspend Obama in a state that Bush won the last two elections…I dont interpret it as McCain struggling to keep red states red…I see it more as a slap in the face by Obama, a black man, for ignoring un-cloned Missourians…