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…
Obama, if you’re reading this — Please get your act together real fast, or you’ll regret it. Where are you in this state? I don’t see your presence any where. I heard your campaign is coming here. well, so far, NOTHING. Nothing in my little down here in Tallapoosa. You can win here, but only if you are serious. Quit the damn cocktail parties and hit the campaign trail for heavens sake! Get on a bus tour and hit small town Missouri.
Please campaign like you are an underdog. More Barack Obama TV ads please!
And one last thing, Mr. Obama. My husband says you can’t win this state because you don’t care enough to campaign in small town Missouri. All the that the big shot politicians care about is St Louis and Kansas City - small town America, not so much! Why????? We are people too! I implore you to get serious abut winning here. Show that you care about us too. You need to shake many hands and meet folks here — small town Missouri. Come to Tallapoosa. This is the heart of America.
Prove my husband wrong. I want to be positive! There’s no substitute for not meeting rural Missourians. If you depend only on television ads, you will lose, Mr. Obama. Rural America and small town America is where power to win elections lie. Think and act Now. God bless!
Missouri would be an important feather in the cap for Obama but it is a downright must win State for McCain. I find it telling how much McCain is having to spend to defend his own territory and how little he will have to challenge in States like Wisconsin.
Perhaps Obama is spending less than McCain in Missouri because he suddenly has less to spend. I’m thinking that Obama’s embrace of the FISA/domestic spying “compromise” ticked off most of his liberal supporters, all of whom contributed to his campaign. Speaking for myself, I gave $1,000 to Obama’s primary campaign, but I’m not giving him another cent. If I’d wanted a candidate that buckled under to the Bush administration at every opportunity, I would have voted for Hillary Clinton in the first place.
I am surprised that Obama isn’t doing more ads in any states. Obama is focusing on his biography while McCain is offering solutions.
Obama needs to do ads on his solutions for the country.
the math is weird. is McCain getting some sort of deal here??
Mariah,
It is encouraging to see that many rural Americans such as yourself are desperately wanting a new direction. I have been reading that Obama and Sen. McCaskill have plans to spend a lot of time in rural Missouri soon.