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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.

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:

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:

As part of a poll to be released in full later today, CBS News and the New York Times asked voters who have seen television ads for both Barack Obama and John McCain about the tone of those ads.

Their responses suggest there is a gulf in voter perception of the candidates' efforts, with Obama widely seen as running the more positive advertising campaign.

Half of those surveyed say Obama's ads are primarily focused on what the candidate stands for, while thirty percent say they have been mostly concerned with attacking his Republican rival. Fifteen percent say both.

The perception is far more negative for McCain: Just 21 percent say the Arizona senator's ads are primarily focused on what he stands for, while the majority – 64 percent – say the ads have been largely concerned with attacking Obama. Twelve percent cite both.

We'll be making further results from the poll available at 6:30 this evening, so check back with CBSNews.com and watch the Evening News for a full report.

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."

Barack Obama opened his campaign with a message of “hope” and “change” and he’s closing it the same way. What’s changed from here to there is not what he’s pitching but the circumstances in which he’s selling it.

Two years ago, Obama opened his argument largely based on his initial opposition to the war in Iraq, targeting a Democratic Party whose opposition to that war had grown exponentially since Howard Dean used it to propel his campaign in 2004. Now, he’s closing it amidst an economic crisis and signs of a deep and lasting economic recession. In both cases, public sentiment has been strongly on his side, but is it real “change” or a case of what Alan Greenspan once called “irrational exuberance?”

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The Republican National Committee has released a new ad, "Surgeon," that compares Barack Obama to "a surgeon who has never operated."

"The ad goes on air Thursday and will run in target markets in Ohio, Indiana, Florida and Virginia over the campaign’s final days," said Brad Todd of OnMessage Inc., speaking for the RNC Independent Expenditure Unit. "The RNC IE remains on the air in those states plus Colorado, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Montana and North Carolina – with a total airtime budget exceeding $25 million over the last 15 days.”

"Would you get on a plane with a pilot who has never flown?" an announcer asks as the spot opens. "Would you trust your child with someone who has never cared for children? Would you go under with a surgeon who has never operated?"

"Can you hand your nation to a man who has '…never been in charge of anything?'” she continues. "Can you wait while he learns?"

Former President Bill Clinton will be making his first joint appearance of the campaign with Barack Obama in Orlando, Florida tonight. This afternoon, he and Hillary Clinton have sent out a get-out-the vote video on Obama’s behalf. Importantly, the video was not sent from the Obama campaign but to supporters of Hillary Clinton from her HillPac organization.

“We worked awfully hard in this election because you’ve got a lot at stake,” Bill Clinton begins. “It’s still important, it’s more important than ever,” he continues. “Boy, is that true,” Hillary continues, “and we’re asking everybody to get involved. Get out, do what you can, talk to your friends and your neighbors, make those phone calls, walk those streets – get the word out that this election is really important.” Bill Clinton: “Senator Obama and Senator Biden need your help November 4th.” Hillary Clinton: “So please everybody, get involved and don’t forget to register and don’t forget to vote November 4th.” Watch it:

Both campaigns have new ads out this morning focusing on the experience – or lack of it – on the part of the opposition. John McCain’s ad tweaks Barack Obama’s scheduled 30-minute ad tonight and claiming that Obama is not prepared to be president “yet.”

“Behind the fancy speeches, grand promises and TV special, lies the truth,” the ad begins. “With crises at home and abroad, Barack Obama lacks the experience America needs. And it shows. His response to our economic crisis is to spend and tax our economy deeper into recession. The fact is Barack Obama's not ready yet.” Watch it:



Meanwhile, Obama’s campaign is out with an ad that uses no words but relies on quotes made by McCain over the course of the campaign on screen and clearly aims at the perceived inexperience of running mate Sarah Palin.

The ad flashes this quote from McCain first: “I’m going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated.” Followed by this one: “The issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should.” And finally another: “I might have to rely on a vice president that I select” for expertise on economic issues.” The ad asks, “his choice?” then moves to footage of Sarah Palin winking. “On November 4th, you get to make yours” the ad concludes. Watch it: