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Subscribe to RSSDisplaying just how important Florida is to the hopes of Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, the leading candidates for the GOP nomination and their supporters are spending almost $22 million, flooding the television and radio airwaves with ads supporting their candidates -- and mostly attacking the other.
Romney and friends have outspent Gingrich and his allies about 5-to-1 with the Super PACs leading the way, spending -- so far -- a combined $12 million, according to Republican ad tracker Smart Media Group Delta. The pro-Gingrich one, Winning Our Future, promises to spend another $2 million before Tuesday, but, at the end of the day, Gingrich and his allies will be outspent by at least double.
Here are the numbers:
Pro-Romney: $15.7 million (Restore Our Future $8.8m; Romney: $6.9m)
Pro-Gingrich: $3.9 million (Winning Our Future: $2.8m; Gingrich: $1.1m)Source: NBC/Smart Media Group Delta
Today, Gingrich placed another $855,000 on broadcast and cable with serious buys in Ft. Myers (1000 points), Jacksonville (1500 points), Orlando (1000 points), Tampa (700 points), and West Palm Beach (875 points). You can also find his ads on AEN, CNN, Discovery, ESPN, ESPN 2, the Food Network, HGTV, the History Channel, TNT, and USA.
Romney's campaign added about another $200,000 in the Panhandle (Mobile-Pensacola) as well as Tallahassee. Before this, he was not on air in these markets.
And it's not just in Florida. Restore Our Future is going up with another week of ads in Michigan, trying to ensure Romney, whose father was governor of the state, wins there. So far, Restore has spent $245,000 in Michigan.
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The floodgates are open!
In this corner, you have the Koch Brothers and their filthy tentacles that reach back to the John Birch Society...
In the other corner, you have some gazillionaire Casino mogul who reportedly has ties to the Mob?
They do all have one thing in common...
What do you suppose these people want in 'return' for their 'investment'?
Would be interesting to see a study on lost productivity due to consumer commercials being replaced with political ads and the increased cost of advertising in election years. The media loves this windfall, but what impact does it have on businesses having to compete for air time?
The only positive to a protracted Republican nomination process is that it will greatly decrease the amount of money available for spending in the general election. The billionaire money will be there regardless, but I have to imagine it will have an impact on money raised through any grassroots activity.
At least this part of the process will be over on Tuesday. Then onward to another state. Are you having fun yet?
Greg,
i also think the people who are making money are the staffs of the super pacs themselves. They are probably billing big old consutant fees per month to coordinate all the media buys.
Thank goodness for Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) plans "to introduce legislation that would require Super PACS to more fully disclose donations and stand by their ads, according to The Huffington Post."
"Van Hollen's bill would require Super PACs to list their top five donors in each ad and have the top official of the group appear in the ad to take responsibility for the it.
The legislation would also require corporations to disclose their campaign expenditures to their shareholders, and require lobbyists to disclose their campaign expenditures."
FEISTY,
When you think about anti-democratic Governor Walker (R-WI), so unpopular that a million signatures have been collected to get him recalled finally, that in five weeks he raised $Millions from out of state from the oil barrons to try and hang on to his job.
Folks in WI are really offended by him and he knows why, but continues to play all the union-stripping games with no compunction whatsover. But his gamble is that Big Money will win out over our voices.
This is the New GOP in all its glory.
I would feel sorry for folks in Florida except the weather's nice there this time of year; they can go outside and ignore the phones and the TV ads. The good news is, that after Tuesday evening, they'll be gone so quick they'll need to hang on because of high winds.
Backhouse, that's good news. Will be interesting to see if republicans decide to get on board. We have seen some establishment republicans complain about all the secret money. They thought it was fine when SCOTUS opened the flood gates but now they're finding the flood gates drown their own not just democrats.
Which is why it's imperative the people take back this country from corporate interests...
The State of WI is an excellent place to start!
Folks in WI are really offended by him, he knows why but continues to play all the union-stripping games with no compunction whatsover. But his gamble is that Big Money will win out over our voices.
The people of Wisconsin are going to show that Koch brothers that they still have a vote in this thing!
Feisty, yes,
Walker will continue to try & complete the mission given to him by ALEC/Koch/GOP.
But the people of WI will have their say.
Just chump change compared to obamas goal for a $billion war chest.
No-one in the Democratic Party is going to lie down and get steam-rollered, not even for you.
If you don't like the way campaign funding is going, tell the Supreme Court that what they have done is end democratic elections in the United States of America, by allowing undisclosed monies from transnationals to buy up our Congress. That is what happened in 2010.
Democrat Congressionals have voted for Disclosure. Chris Van Hollen (D) is now proposing another disclosure measure in Congress.
GOP congressionals voted No to the disclosure of secret campaign funding = TWICE. (Ask them why.)
If you have complaints, talk to them about it.
Good question! I think it's time Republican's and Democrat's started discussing the issues that are impacting their lives and find ways to resolve them for the betterment of AMERICA as a whole
As an Independent, I am sick and tired of paying taxes, never asking anything from the government, follow all the rules yet have absolutely NO SAY in my representation! Our government isn't your personal sand box to wallow in! If you hate our Constitution and Federal Republic so much, then either REVOLT and get rid of it, or move to a country that's more aligned with your personal beliefs, oh say like a theocracy (religious ideology) like Saudi Arabia, or Capitalistic (conservative idealogy) such as Singapore, or Federalism (liberal ideology) such as USA!
For the record --- Liberalism IS NOT the Democratic party (old campaign rhetoric), it's an ideology based on PEOPLE having more personal freedom over their lives that is NOT controlled by a government (monarchs, despots, etc.), which have ruled humans for majority of our existence.
The US Constitution is the Supreme Law of this country---it's what binds government officials, especially the President, to specific duties with oversight by the two other branches, States and Citizenry, to ensure they do nothing more than what their legally authorized to do under the law UNTIL there's a formal Constitutional Amendment voted in by 3/4 of the States and 2/3 of Congress authorizing such. Remember, the Federal Government plays two roles: First, is to provide basic limited services to ALL Sovereign States (See Articles I to VI) for the benefit of ALL Citizens; and Second is to ensure no person or State usurps the Rights and immunities guaranteed to the People (See Bill of Rights and Formal Amendments).
Our founding father's truly had no faith in the People to govern themselves and knew it would not last---even made all kinds of predictions based solely on human nature which have/are still coming true. The revolutionaries gave us a SPECIAL GIFT and through the struggles and hardships of the abolitionists, suffragists, unions, civil rights, etc. it added to the GREATNESS of our country! It was NOT our government, or a Corporation, but THE PEOPLE willing to fight against BOTH to break the chains of slavery and inservitude...This is why millions travel thousands of miles DYING to get here! The US Constitution now allows Indians, blacks and women the RIGHT TO VOTE...so take this GIFT and start voting for the betterment of OUR Country as whole and leave all non-governmental issues out of it as it's too darn expensive, Ugh!
Let the fun begin! Another debate! I always love to watch Mitt-bot's response to "gotcha" questions or in his case one's his handlers didn't prepare him for.
For the life of me, I can't believe the Republican party would lay their candidates open to show what a bunch of losers they are debate after endless debate.
Suzq,
After Florida, I think the debate cycle will be a little slower as the candidates gear up for super Tuesday in March.
i think Santorum will be gone after Florida. Paul only shows up for a debate. He is not on the campaign trail.
This is Newton's now or never moment.
My prediction on Santorum suspending his campaign is either after February 7th Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri caucuses/primary OR the March 6th Super Tuesday when 10 states will vote. There are three primaries/caucus between them, but I don't think those will break Santorum's ego. It will either break early or late.
Feisty, every senseless mention of the Koch Brothers, whose companies actually produce real products, merits a mention of Dr Evil George Soros, who makes his money by speculating and ruining currencies worldwide.
In a recent interview, Soros went on to talk about how the Occupy Wall Street movement has added to the ever-changing dynamics in the world economy. Debt, Wall Street and capitalism have been put under intense scrutiny and people are becoming increasingly angry.
As this anger intensifies, will the inevitable result be a spontaneous eruption of violence and riots?
“Yes, yes, yes,” Soros says, almost “gleefully.”
However, according to Soros, worse than the riots and violence will be the government reaction.
“It will be an excuse for cracking down and using strong-arm tactics to maintain law and order, which, carried to an extreme, could bring about a repressive political system, a society where individual liberty is much more constrained, which would be a break with the tradition of the United States,” Soros said.
The really evil 1% billionaire speculator gets a pass from the Occupy Wall Street idiots...because Soros funded them!
where was this soros interview published?
All I know for sure is everybody on both sides of the political spectrum wishes they would take their media blitz and go home. (Of course, the beaches, golf courses and bars are doing a booming business now)
After Nine Months Gingrich and Romney's "Final Push" in Florida Produces 800lb......"MittRich"!!!
What is a "MittRich"?
A "MittRich" hides in the halls of Congress and in fancy country clubs. It is indigenous to Bahamian Islands and Swiss bank vaults. It's stated goal is to colonize the moon, but what it really wants is campaign contributions from corporations and other "mittriches" that wish to avoid paying their fair share of income taxes and prefer to put the burden on the middle class taxpayers instead of their wealthy friends. "MittRiches" are prolific breeders and will hook up with any females available, although they pair for brief times until something better comes along.
MittRiches are opportunistic feeders, preferring to whine about the size of government expenditures, while at the same time consuming government funds for their own wealth accumulation. MittRiches can turn nasty on each other while vying for pack supremacy. They do not make good pets, or Presidents.
My family enjoyed the Florida golf courses earlier this week. Glad to leave before the real commercial onslaught. Maybe if the climate in Florida was more like ours you wouldn't have to put up with all the political crap. Can't imagine who would want to be out here shaking hands in January.
If the amount of cash squandered in this primary isn't proof the 1% has money to burn, I don't know what is...
Lyn, KCMO,
The monies that the 1% is spending on the GOP primaries aren't campaign contributions, they're "job creation". Too bad the jobs created won't last past November.
And Santorum just can't compete financially...and will be gone before you know it...
How much more did Mitt spend than NEWTON in SC to LOSE BY 12 points again?
Well, at least it's good to see that even though Mitt has a close to 5 to 1 advantage in superpac dollars, he still looses. It's amazing how all the republican politicians are coming out and supporting Mitt, and some, like Bob Dole, even attacking Newt. Yet, Newt's popularity is growing among republican voters. There is a huge disconnect between the party and its supporters. I would love to see an independent candidate attempt to run. Someone who could attract actual true ideological republicans (not the neo- conservatives that have taken over the party and call themselves "republicans") and independents like me that hesitantly voted for Obama and are very disappointed because what we got was George Bush's 3rd term! With the added bonus of a health care bill, that no matter what you think about it, destroyed all compromise and communication in our nation!
c'mon .... do you HONESTLY BELIEVE that OUR government can manage the HEALTH CARE BILL - hell look at the way they manage social security and medicare......... seriously........ talk about a HUGE money pit and I bet there are people out there and companies right now licking their chops and wringing their hands at all the scams they are going to produce with the health care monies......... and your statement about destroying all compromise and communication - yes you are correct - but I am saddened that it was at the hands of the democrats........ republicans wanted discussions and they didn't happen - again - no middle of the road from democrats...... and if people do not believe that - they are in denial and nothing anybodys says will change that STUPID stubbornness....... sad for all of us........
Why not? Societies for majority of human history have always cared for their people without expecting to profit from it, so ask yourself, why has this changed over the past 60 years?
The problem is, our society is no longer concerned with "preventative medicine" as the medical community now charges too much for these basic services. Healthcare was once was a profession that prided it self on helping members of its community and "doing no harm"---now it's succesful in burdening it in mountains of debt!
Even annual checks-ups, blood tests, etc. are out of reach for many families and darned expensive! My insurance was charged $300 for one individual to spend 5 minutes drawing two vials of blood, another 30 seconds to put it into a machine that spit out the results, with another few seconds discarding the blood. My out of pocket cost was $60 for the blood test + $40 to doctor for the initial and follow-up visit which took less than 10 minutes for her to read the results to me! This was just for *one* preventative visit, of many, I and my two children do one or twice a year. I pay at least $500 a year in prevantative co-pays, not including all the additional costs for fillings, eyeglasses, prescriptions, etc. (another $500+) for my family each year WITH insurance. Can you image what the cost would be for a similar family without insurance?!?
Our medical community needs an OVERHAUL, not only in how it charges for preventative healthcare, but how it's dispensed by so-called health care providers, whereas far too many are now in it solely for the profit, not keeping our society healthy . I remember a time when schools provided vaccinations and screening to students, or when a broken leg didn't financial ruin a family. My broken ankle last year cost over $3000 (over $200 in co-pays) with all the x-rays (4), visits(7), casts (2), and ankle wrap (charged $80) just to scam/bilk $$$ from the patient and insurance companies, and I spent less than probably 20 minutes total with the actual doctor who would pop in for a few minutes, briefly explain the x-ray, then pop out never to see him again, yet charged $150 per pop!
Something needs to change! Although I agree this health care bill is not the CURE-ALL for this disease that's affecting our country...at least it's a STEP forward in finding better ways to manage it.
I beg to differ.
Anytime the govt. gets involved in anything, the quality of the service goes down and the abuse of (tax payer dollars) funds goes UP !
Newt believes in the U.S. Mitt invests his money abroad. Mitt has a great deal of faith, outside the U.S. Charity begins at home. Newt can build the U.S. economy. Mitt will build the foreign economy. Your choice.
.
thing are looking up the gop strongest candidate will get killed head to head against the president but i guess that means 4 more years of the gop lets walk out and just say no to every thing party
This attitude from the democrats "I'm better than YOU" "I'm better than YOU" if that is what it takes to make you "feel good" sad for you........ your glib remarks are childish...... here's a novel idea....... GROW UP ! We have VERY SERIOUS problems - open up your glued-tight eyes and ears and look around you......... oh and by the way - I DARE you to give me FIVE examples of where Obama and his croanies have made a serious legitimate push toward meeting in the middle of the road discussions ......... nadda........ oh sure they say they have made the offer lots of times......... but I dare you to look carefully at the wording........... it was an invite to come over to their way of thinking......... NO middle of the road at all......... I dare you to open your eyes and see.......... you won't do it......... because then you would be admitting that maybe just maybe you need to see things differently........ and you will not admit that you made an error in judgement......... because after all......... you gotta save "face" while the rest of us burn..... I had my eyes open when Obama won and I thought OK - I will give you the benefit of the doubt - let's see what you can do ........ and honestly I was hoping for the best and instead got kicked in the gut like thousands of other Americans.......... but no more.............
well said.
(the lemmings cant help it , they are drunk on the kool aid.)
You DemBATS are so busy excoriating Gingrich and Romney. You are obsessing on issues that do not impact Americans while "Rome burns". Deflection perhaps????
All this nonsense while yet another Obama"green project" bites the dust to the tune of millions at the tax payers expense.
Did I miss the article on that subject here ?? Please point that out if I missed it. LOL
Poor pitiful Leona,
Every post has a reference to Kool Aid. I wonder why?
Last I saw, the economy was improving. It only took three years to put out the fires that Bush and your GOP dingbats set.
Rome's not burning. It's just being retaken by the Romans. Turn on Fox and have a sip.....
MkeMike,
"poor pitiful Mike".........Like I said, you are spouting all this nonsense while yet another Obama"green project" bites the dust to the tune of millions at the tax payers expense.
Follow Romney or Gingrich and they will have you drinking the Grape Kool Aid
or.......you can follow Dorothy Pelosi , Tin man Obama, Scarecrow Biden and Lion Reid down the yellow debt road to more debt.
"Lunar Leona" your GOP "Moonbat Shuttle" is ready to take you too "Nutty Newt's" Moonbase/Casino." Now don't confuse the moon with "Nutty Newt's Death Star" which is parked right next door! Yes "Lunar Leona" their at "Nutty Newt's" moon base you can drink lots of Romulian Ale, and make up fictional stories of what has NOT really politically since 2008. Now at the GOP "Moonbat Casino." "Romulian Romney" the "Speculator and Chief" will let "Lunal Leona" economically gamble with money that "Speculative Capitalists took in 2008. That is fact!