All Blog Posts from Horserace

A new analysis by Nielsen gives a final look at the ad disparity Republican John McCain faced during his campaign against Barack Obama – particularly on in local markets. In the period between June and Election Day, Obama’s campaign ran 419,667 ads locally compared to just 269,992 run by McCain.

That was a greater difference than ads run on national cable and networks. Between January and November, Obama’s campaign ran 3,004 national ads compared to 2,868 for McCain. Among the other findings of the analysis, Nielsen found that Obama’s ads were run twice as much as McCain’s in the last month of the election and that both candidates combined for 850,000 ads in all between January and November. Check out Nielsen’s media blog for more.

In the final weekend before the election, Barack Obama ran 5,947 TV ads in the battleground states of Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to new numbers out by the Nielsen Company. That was 77 percent more that the 3,358 ads run by John McCain in those states over the weekend.

But the study found McCain’s ads rose compared to the weekend before last as he increased his buys by 76 percent. Obama’s ad rate rose just three percent in the last weekend compared to the weekend before. The study also finds that both campaigns have advertised most heavily in the state of Florida. Between October 6th and November 2nd, Obama ran 24,834 ads in the Sunshine state compared to 8,599 for Obama – a 189 percent edge for the Democrat. In that same time frame, Obama ran 80,504 ads in all seven states, compared to 34,179 for McCain. Check out Nielsen’s blog for more.

Barack Obama’s one-time pastor Jeremiah Wright and the controversial statements he’s made haven’t been much of a campaign topic since Obama renounced his comments in a widely hailed speech on race last spring. John McCain has said that the Wright issue is off-limits but many Republicans disagree with him. His running mate, Sarah Palin, has even said that she considers Wright to be a legitimate topic of discussion.

In the waning days of the campaign, Wright’s comments have shown up in some limited advertising by groups and organizations not directly affiliated with McCain’s campaign. An ad by the National Republican Trust PAC revises Wright’s comments and question’s Obama’s relationship with him. The Pennsylvania Republican Party reportedly began airing a similar ad over the weekend but the size of either buy has not been confirmed.

“For 20 years Barack Obama followed a preacher of hate and said nothing is Wright raged against our country,” the National Republican Trust ad begins, followed by the a clip of wright, saying, “not God bless America, God damn America” and “U.S. of KKKA!" A quote from Obama is shown on the screen, reading, “I don’t think my church is particularly controversial.” Announcer: “He built his power base in Wright's church. Wright was his mentor, adviser and close friend. For 20 years Obama never complained until he ran for President. Barack Obama. Too radical. Too risky.” Watch it:

Barack Obama’s campaign is making sure the public doesn’t miss Vice President Dick Cheney’s campaign appearance in Wyoming over the weekend – or his strong words of support for the Republican ticket. Joe Biden used it on the campaign trail yesterday and this morning, Obama’s camp is up with a new ad

“Barack Obama, endorsed by Warren Buffett and Colin Powell,” the ad begins. “And John McCain's latest endorsement?” Cheney: I'm delighted to support John McCain and I'm pleased that he's chosen a running mate with executive talent, toughness and common sense, our next vice president Sarah Palin.” Announcer: “And boy did McCain earn it, he voted with Bush and Cheney 90% of the time.” Cheney: “I'm delighted to support John McCain.” Announcer: “And that's not the change we need.” Watch it:

Barack Obama’s campaign is making sure the public doesn’t miss Vice President Dick Cheney’s campaign appearance in Wyoming over the weekend – or his strong words of support for the Republican ticket. Joe Biden used it on the campaign trail yesterday and this morning, Obama’s camp is up with a new ad

“Barack Obama, endorsed by Warren Buffett and Colin Powell,” the ad begins. “And John McCain's latest endorsement?” Cheney: I'm delighted to support John McCain and I'm pleased that he's chosen a running mate with executive talent, toughness and common sense, our next vice president Sarah Palin.” Announcer: “And boy did McCain earn it, he voted with Bush and Cheney 90% of the time.” Cheney: “I'm delighted to support John McCain.” Announcer: “And that's not the change we need.” Watch it:

John McCain’s campaign has released a new ad, called “Freedom,” as part of the closing stages of his campaign. The ad features McCain speaking over footage of him as a POW and campaigning, saying: “I've served my country since I was 17 years old, and spent five years longing for her shores. I came home dedicated to a cause greater than my own. We can grow our economy. We will cut government waste. Don't hope for a stronger America. Vote for one. Join me.” The ad will air in key states. Watch it:

On a conference call this morning, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe told reporters that his campaign is expanding advertising into three states in which few expected the Democratic nominee to be competitive: North Dakota, Georgia, and John McCain's home state of Arizona.

McCain has represented Arizona in Congress for 26 years, but recent polls have shown Obama by just the low single digits in the state.

Pressed on why the campaign was advertising in the three states when other battleground states remain tight, Plouffe said the polls were close enough to justify the effort. “We’re just going to give it a go in the last 4 days and see how close we can get it,” he said, adding that the campaign's push in the three states would not detract from its efforts in more traditional battlegrounds.

We wrote about the two spots now set to air in the three states, "Rearview Mirror" and "Something," yesterday. Check them out here.

"Something," which Plouffe referred to as a "positive closer," will be airing in Arizona. He said "Rearview Mirror," which links McCain to President Bush, will air in the other two states because "we've seen movement" there. He cited "highly encouraging" early voting numbers in Georgia and noted the campaign has organizations in all three states.

The Obama campaign would not release the size of the advertising buy.

On a conference call this morning, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe told reporters that his campaign is expanding advertising into three states in which few expected the Democratic nominee to be competitive: North Dakota, Georgia, and John McCain's home state of Arizona.

McCain has represented Arizona in Congress for 26 years, but recent polls have shown Obama trailing by just the low single digits in the state.

Pressed on why the campaign was advertising in the three states when other battleground states remain tight, Plouffe said the polls were close enough to justify the effort.

“We’re just going to give it a go in the last 4 days and see how close we can get it,” he said, adding that the campaign's push in the three states would not detract from its efforts in more traditional battlegrounds.

We wrote about the two spots now set to air in the three states, "Rearview Mirror" and "Something," yesterday. Check them out here.

"Something," which Plouffe referred to as a "positive closer," will be airing in Arizona. He said "Rearview Mirror," which links McCain to President Bush, will air in the other two states because "we've seen movement" there. He cited "highly encouraging" early voting numbers in Georgia and noted the campaign has organizations in all three states.

The Obama campaign would not release the size of the advertising buy.

A new ad out this morning from John McCain’s campaign features Barack Obama praising the Arizona Republican for his work on a a bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “The right approach begins with the proposal put forward by Senator Lieberman and Senator McCain,” Obama is shown saying. “The Lieberman-McCain bill establishes limits for greenhouse gas emissions. It's a framework that's not only good for the environment, it's also good for business. I want to thank Senator Lieberman, as well as Senator McCain, for the outstanding leadership that they've shown.” The ad will air in key states. Watch it:

The Obama campaign has released two new, 30-second ads, "Rearview Mirror" and "Something," that the campaign says will begin airing tomorrow in "key states."

"Rearview Mirror" picks up on a familiar Obama criticism of John McCain – that he is too closely tied to President George W. Bush.

"Wonder where John McCain would take the economy? Look behind you," an announcer says as the spot opens. Onscreen, a man driving his car is shown looking in his rearview mirror, where he sees Mr. Bush's face.

"John McCain wants to continue George Bush’s economic policies," the announcer continues. "As president, he'd provide no tax breaks to 101 million Americans, but keep tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas. He wants $4 billion dollars in new tax breaks for big oil and would tax your health care benefits for the first time ever. Look behind you: We can’t afford more of the same."



"Something" is a positive spot that suggests Obama has begun unifying Americans.

"Something’s happening in America," an announcer says in the spot as a variety of Americans appear onscreen and uplifting music plays in the background. "In small towns and big cities. People from every walk of life, uniting in common purpose. Barack Obama. Endorsed by Warren Buffett and Colin Powell. A leader who’ll bring us together."

"We can choose hope over fear, and unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo," Obama is then shown saying. "That’s how we’ll emerge from this crisis stronger and more prosperous – as one nation, and as one people."