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Outside groups have accounted for almost half of all ad spending during this presidential general election, according to a First Read analysis of data provided by ad-buying firm SMG Delta.
Groups supporting the presidential candidates but not affiliated with the campaign, including super PACs, have spent $267 million of the $605.7 million spent on television and radio ads.
As NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss, both President Obama and Mitt Romney are facing unrest this week – Obama with continued protests in the Middle East and Romney within his own campaign.
(That overall number is sure to climb, as the Romney campaign is booking buys today.)
That means about 44 cents of every dollar spent on ads this election has come from outside groups.
There’s a big difference between who they’re supporting. Three-quarters of all money spent by outside groups -- $212 million -- has gone to support Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
Two-thirds of all the ads run to support Romney, including the campaign, have come from outside groups. By contrast, 20 percent of ads supporting President Barack Obama’s re-election effort have come from outside groups.
OVERALL SPENDING: $605.7 million
Team Obama $286,905,268
Team Romney $318,396,978
OUTSIDE SPENDING: $266,782,619 (44 percent of total)
Team Romney $212,458,408 (67 percent of total)
Team Obama $57,473,660 (20 percent of total)
Outside groups’ spending tracks with the campaigns in some ways with heavy spending in Florida, Ohio, and Virginia. But in states where the campaigns aren’t spending heavily, outside groups have stepped in to account for most of the political advertising to test out messages and try to move the needle, so to speak.
Florida, like with the campaigns, is seeing the most total spending from outside groups -- $58.6 million. That’s just about half of the $121 million total spent in the state.
Next up in total spending: Ohio $42.6 million, Virginia $33.3 million, Colorado $25.1 million, North Carolina $21.2 million, Iowa $19 million, Pennsylvania $14.4 million, Nevada $14.2 million, Wisconsin $13.4 million, New Hampshire $11.9 million, Michigan $10 million.
By percentage of total spending in that state: Michigan 99.9 percent, Wisconsin 92 percent, Pennsylvania 75 percent, Colorado 44 percent, Wisconsin 42 percent, Iowa 40 percent, Virginia 37 percent, North Carolina 37 percent, Nevada 37 percent, Ohio 36 percent.
Strikingly, in every state, outside groups have made up a majority of all ads supporting Romney. In Florida, in particular 73 percent of all ads supporting Romney have come from outside groups.
Though the Obama campaign has spent a whopping $46 million in Florida, outside groups have helped Romney even the score. The Crossroads groups have poured in more than $25 million, the Koch-brothers-backed Americans for Prosperity $9 million, Restore Our Future $8 million, America’s Future Fund $1.4 million, and the American Energy Alliance $850,000. They have combined with the Romney campaign for $60.3 million in the Sunshine State, about what Obama has spent with the help of outside groups -- $60.7 million.
The Obama campaign has gotten some help from outside groups in Florida, but not to the level Romney is benefitting. Priorities USA has spent $12.7 million there, followed by the SEIU $1.5 million, Planned Parenthood $450,000, and MoveOn.org $64,000.
Here’s how it breaks down by state (plus a grand total of how much each group has spent below that):
FLORIDA
OVERALL SPENDING: $121 MILLION
OUTSIDE GROUP SPENDING: $58.6 MILLION (48 percent of total)
OUTSIDE GROUP BREAKDOWN:
PRO-ROMNEY: $43.8 MILLION OF $60 MILLION (73 percent)
PRO-OBAMA: $14.7 MILLION OF $60.7 MILLION (24 percent)
OHIO
OVERALL SPENDING: $116.9 MILLION
OUTSIDE GROUPS SPENDING: $42.6 MILLION (36 percent)
OUTSIDE GROUP BREAKDOWN:
PRO-ROMNEY: $29.9 MILLION OF $53.3 MILLION (56 percent)
PRO-OBAMA: $12.7 MILLION OF $63.6 MILLION (20 percent)
VIRGINIA
OVERALL SPENDING: $90.3 MILLION
OUTSIDE GROUP SPENDING: $33.3 MILLION (37 percent)
OUTSIDE GROUP BREAKDOWN:
PRO-ROMNEY: $22.4 MILLION OF $42.4 MILLION (53 percent)
PRO-OBAMA: $10.9 MILLION OF $47.9 MILLION (23 percent)
COLORADO
OVERALL SPENDING: $57 MILLION
OUTSIDE GROUP SPENDING: $25.1 MILLION (44 percent)
OUTSIDE GROUP BREAKDOWN:
PRO-ROMNEY: $16.4 MILLION OF $27.5 MILLION (60 percent)
PRO-OBAMA: $8.6 MILLION OF $29.5 MILLION (29 percent)
NORTH CAROLINA
OVERALL SPENDING: $57.7 MILLION
OUTSIDE GROUP SPENDING: $21.2 MILLION (37 percent)
OUTSIDE GROUP BREAKDOWN:
PRO-ROMNEY: $21.2 MILLION OF $35.5 MILLION (60 percent)
PRO-OBAMA: $10.9 MILLION OF $47.9 MILLION (23 percent)
IOWA
OVERALL SPENDING: $48 MILLION
OUTSIDE GROUP SPENDING: $19 MILLION (40 percent)
OUTSIDE GROUP BREAKDOWN:
PRO-ROMNEY: $15.8 MILLION OF $25.4 MILLION (62 percent)
PRO-OBAMA: $3.2 MILLION OF $22.9 MILLION (14 percent)
PENNSYLVANIA
OVERALL SPENDING: $19.3 MILLION
OUTSIDE GROUP SPENDING: $14.4 MILLION (75 percent)
OUTSIDE GROUP BREAKDOWN:
PRO-ROMNEY: $11.2 MILLION OF $11.2 MILLION (100 percent)
PRO-OBAMA: $3.2 MILLION OF $8.1 MILLION (40 percent)
NEVADA
OVERALL SPENDING: $38.6 MILLION
OUTSIDE GROUP SPENDING: $14.2 MILLION (37 percent)
OUTSIDE GROUP BREAKDOWN:
PRO-ROMNEY: $13.3 MILLION OF $20.4 MILLION (65 percent)
PRO-OBAMA: $874,000 MILLION OF $18.2 MILLION (5 percent)
WISCONSIN
OVERALL SPENDING: $14.5 MILLION
OUTSIDE GROUP SPENDING: $13.4 MILLION (92 percent)
OUTSIDE GROUP BREAKDOWN:
PRO-ROMNEY: $10.2 MILLION OF $10.6 MILLION (96 percent)
PRO-OBAMA: $3.2 MILLION OF $3.9 MILLION (82 percent)
NEW HAMPSHIRE
OVERALL SPENDING: $28.2 MILLION
OUTSIDE GROUP SPENDING: $11.9 MILLION (42 percent)
OUTSIDE GROUP BREAKDOWN:
PRO-ROMNEY: $11.9 MILLION OF $14.1 MILLION (84 percent)
PRO-OBAMA: $0 OF $14 MILLION (0 percent)
MICHIGAN
OVERALL SPENDING: $10 MILLION
OUTSIDE GROUP SPENDING: $10 MILLION (99.9 percent)
OUTSIDE GROUP BREAKDOWN:
PRO-ROMNEY: $10 MILLION OF $10 MILLION (100 percent)
PRO-OBAMA: $10,000 OF $10,000 (100 percent)
Here’s the total of how every group is spending:
Obama $233,604,018
Crossroads GPS $59,977,352 (pro-Romney)
Romney $87,648,202
American Crossroads $48,441,218 (pro-Romney)
Americans for Prosperity $46,517,357 (pro-Romney)
Priorities USA $48,176,176 (pro-Obama)
Restore Our Future $44,408,615 (pro-Romney)
Republican National Committee $18,723,265 (pro-Romney)
Concerned Women for America $4,783,656 (pro-Romney)
America's Future Fund $4,580,908 (pro-Romney)
Americans Energy Alliance $3,201,354 (pro-Romney)
SEIU $2,497,313 (pro-Obama)
Planned Parenthood $1,447,734 (pro-Obama)
Priorities/League of Conservation Voters $979,048 (pro-Obama)
MoveOn.org $166,891 (pro-Obama)
Jill Stein (Green Party presidential candidate) $38,175
TOTAL $605.7 million
*** UPDATE *** The ACLU spending has been taken out of the "pro-Obama" category. The group contends it wasn't advocating for one candidate or the other. The ad it ran advocates for health-care benefits and abortion care for servicewomen who are victims of rape.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Numbers USA spending has also been taken out of the "pro-Romney category. The group is running ads that are anti-immigration, not explicitly support Romney or attacking Obama.
Leave a Comment:
We in NYC are spared most of these ads. My sympathies to those who live in the "battleground" and "swing" sates...
TiVo everything and use that 30 second skip button (and this goes for both sides on this ) LIBERALLY!...
I just ignore the silly ads from both sides. Its like charlie browns teacher
Everyone stopped listening 3 months ago ..The minute i see Mitt"the twit" Romney or Paul "cupcake " Ryan i change the station ..These two knuckleheads have nothing to say worth listening to ! Their master plan to destroy the middle class was revealed early ...I made my mind up the minute Mitt chose "cupcake" ...And so did the rest of the country !
The only ads I've seen here are the Koch founded "Americans for Prosperity" ads of propaganda and lies.
The best crossroads GPS can do is "half truths".
http://www.politifact.com/search/?q=crossroad+gps
The skip and FF buttons on my remote are worn out down here in FL. I'm surprised they still work. My kids have seen Bill Clinton so often in the past week that they are gonna start calling him Uncle Bill. I would say we are seeing about 60-70% pro-Obama ads recently down here in South Florida, but honestly, the percentage changes each week.
Eric:
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/americans-prosperity/statements/
Two "pants on fire", and nothing true.
Hang in there Frank...
All that money spent to influence the 5% of the electorate unable to choose between "less filling" and "tastes great"...
As E.M. Forster wrote;
Two Cheers for Democracy!...
I really wish the result of this flood of ads is that people would tune them all out and do their own homework on the candidates. Not holding my breath, though.
Thanks so much to the Roberts Court for putting our elections even more for sale. I'm especially concerned about the potential for foreign influence, not that we'll know about it.
We should discount all ads except the one's that are endorsed by the candidates themselves. Not that some of those aren't also bull @!$%#, but at least they can be held accountable for what is said.........
@Xabre, yes, both sides are doing it.
So, hopefully most Americans are just ignoring the advertisements.
Americans for Prosperity is the Koch founded PAC.
I can tell you that watching live TV is absolutely miserable here in Iowa. What I wouldn't give for just one "Toyotathon" commercial...
The r in republican stands for RICH. That only just represents 1% of America's population. A stands for a$$ and the republicans do allot of kissing the rich"s a$$.
Thank you. There is no real content to these ads, from either side. As far as I'm concerned, they can both take their money and place it where the sun don't shine .... a quarter at a time.
I ignore all political advertising. At best it's a half-truth, at worst an outright lie, mostly phrases and actions taken out of context. You want to really know what the candidate is all about, you have to research him yourself. It's not easy and it's not quick, but if you don't, you're only voting for a public image someone else bought for you.
@Xabre, oops didn't read it closely enough. :-)
I don't watch tv. I don't even bother with cable tv. AND I'M DAMN GLAD.
I suspect that this is the year where the Pubs hit the saturation point where more ads not only reach diminishing returns, but are actually a detriment. People are sick of GOP bull@!$%#/lies. Repeating them more often will not make them true.
Eric, Palm Springs & Smitty,
You are either blind, deaf or dumb. Buffet, a huge democrat and wealthy donor, has admitted to paying only 11%. Where's your anger at him? You and the rest of these liberals trying to claim that financial manipulation is a republican issue are liars. Yet, your most recent battle cry is that Romney/Ryan are liars. What a joke. You are angry at the rich republicans, so why not be angry at the rich democrats? A little biased are you? All people attempting to buy an election suck. Feel free to speak your mind, but leave the bs at the door, k?
I do, however, agree with other posters in that it is nice to live in a predetermined state. Those ads must suck these days.
Middle - I see the problem here. You listened to the FOX version of Buffets speech. If you had heard the whole thing Buffet talks about how he pays a lower percentage in taxes than his secretary AND HOW WRONG THAT IS! Does that clear up the confusion. Romney - 15% too high. Buffet 15% too low. See the difference now?
It's kinda like that bit where they keep playing the line where Obama says "You didn't build that" over and over and over and over again like that "Call me, maybe" song but the FAIL TO PLAY THE PART WHERE HE'S TALKING ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE. See, 'cause that would show how stupid it is to get angry BECAUSE IT AIN'T WHAT HE SAID! Clear now?
Huh...very appropriate name. Did you miss the part where he only pays 11%? You people keep attacking rich people for not paying enough becasue of loop holes, yet it's fine when an Obama supporter uses them. You need to be consistent.
I'm with you on the "you didn't build that" issue. It was taken waaaaaay out of context. No need to use caps with me...I'm reasonable, k? No need to be an ass. Clear now?
Why would I be angry with him? He's asked repeatedly over a period of YEARS to have his own taxes and those of his fellow 0.1 percenters raised.
Romney would lower them instead...see the difference?
Actually things were fine until the Democrats took over Congress in 2006, then a year 1/2 later coincidentally everything went in the tank. Now all that Obama can do is blame Bush. Under 6 years of 2/3 or better of Washington being controlled by the Dems, here's the record Obama is seeking re-election on:
* TWO credit rating declines
* 23 million unemployed and counting
* Foreclosures continuing to skyrocket out of control even after the banks he bailed out
* 5 TRILLION added to the debt in less than 4 years
* Fast & Furious cover-up (so much for transparency)
* Foreign oil being depended on more than ever - gotta love those gas prices!
* Solyndra
Shall we go on, or is this list long enough yet?
* TWO credit rating declines
* 23 million unemployed and counting
* Foreclosures continuing to skyrocket out of control even after the banks he bailed out
* 5 TRILLION added to the debt in less than 4 years
* Fast & Furious cover-up (so much for transparency)
* Foreign oil being depended on more than ever - gotta love those gas prices!
* Solyndra
All these things happened after Republicans took over the House in 2010.
Laker Steve - you have a very short memory. The economy went in the tank during the last eyars of Bush. And, it was his policies that put it there.
But, truth doesn't count for much in any of your posts so I'm not surprised you can't seem to post it now!
Obama/Biden 2012
Nice try. The first credit rating decline happened when the Dems had 100% of Washington. They still have 2/3. And unemployment hasn't been under 8% or even close since Obozo took office.
The first decline happened as a result of the Super Committee squabbling. S&P even cited it directly. Reread your history.
Laker,
One (1) credit rating downgrade, NOT two
We are less dependent on foreign oil than we have been in 2 decades – most of our oil imports come from Mexico and Canada - North America is not fpreign
Over one trillion dollars were added to our debt by the Republican controlled Congress when they voted for spending bills that exceed expected revenues.
I call bull@!$%#!
Check you dates again Stevie;
http://abcnews.go.com/
August 5, 2011
In particular, Standard & Poor's added, it grew more pessimistic about U.S. debt because of the bitter political fight over raising the debt ceiling.
You'll notice S&P's laid the blame squarely where it belongs, at the feet of the Grand Obstructionist Party!
You really aren't very good at this, are you Stevie? lol
The argument about the democrats in 2006 is absolutely false Bush had a veto, how come he didn't use it? Bush wasn't over-ridden by 2/3 rds votes.
If you say that Democrats were the cause then you have to admit Bush was complicit in this as well.
Laker Steve, you do not have one accurate point here, kind of like your candidates, half truths and lies.
laker steve-you gotta be kidding. America has imported 1 MILLION barrels of oil LESS!
Never use a credit agency's advice. They were dumb enough to qualifying the US as a borrower despite only having 4 balanced budgets in 50 years. What makes you think they are smart enough to tell us how to raise the money to pay them?
Pubs were OK with the spending of the money. They're just not too keen on actually PAYING THE BILLS.
They are the party of "ding-dong-ditch".
Amy,
You are an absolute liar. The best example is F&F. This was and still is an admin cover up. The republicans are the ones trying to get them to start telling the damn truth. I suppose you would think the earth was flat if MSNBC told you so, huh? My god, how do you even function well enough to type.
Oh, here we go again with Fannie and Freddie...got any proof of that, itm?
Yep. Like I said. About a year 1/2 after the Dems took over Congress. You're right on que, Seeking.
Laker Steve -
You're long on words, but short on facts. Typical Tea-Bagger. With those posts, maybe Karl Rove will give you a job.....
-
O&Joe 2012
Oh yes, the Magic Pelosi conspiracy theory.
The magical Nancy Pelosi, after taking control of the House in Jan. of 2007 managed to pass unnamed, unknown legislation in 2007 that was so secret and magical, that President Bush signed it into law without even knowing what it was. In just a few months this unknown, unnamed secret legislation single handedly created the great recession, blowing away all of the jobs that President Bush worked so hard to create with the two unfunded wars, the unfunded Medicare benefit and the tax cuts. The damage done by the magical Pelosi was so severe that tax cuts no longer work as job creators.
Laker Steve - nope. The Democrats didn't try to roll over Bush - they went along with his proposals which is what got us in trouble.
Democrats had "complete control" of Congress for a scant 44 days. After that the Republicans in Congress used the filibuster more than any time in history.
Now the Republicans in Congress are obstructing everything the President has tried to do to fix our economy. Too bad their main concern is about keeping the President to one term instead of doing what they were elected to do - represent the country.
Obama/Biden 2012
There they go again! I'll repost this for the umpteenth time and maybe it will sink in. Even Chris Wallace made the false claim there was a filibuster proof majority in the first 2 years of the Obama administration. Selective amnesia..even President Obama has referred to the willful dementia of the GOP.
Apparently, there is an epidemic of selective amnesia concerning the 2009 and 2010 Senate "Super Majority".
For those who persist in the Senate Super majority lie of the 111th Congress and the continuing obstruction of the 112th Congress. So,how did anything get passed?( ie. Healthcare Reform, unemployment benefit extensions, payroll tax cuts) Ah, that dirty word -compromise. Even then and today, every bill needed votes from the Independents, Blue dog Dems and Republicans.
No matter how many times you repeat that Super Majority lie it is still a lie. Did everyone forget the Blue Dog Dems (ie. Evan Bayh, and others?) In fact, they never had a Democratic super majority because of Leiberman(I. Conn), just another pissed off Independent that consistently votes with the Republicans even though he will caucus with the Dems. He backed McCain, didn't he?
There was never a "Senate Super Majority" for any length of time. The GOP/TP has set a historical record for the number of filibusters in this administration and it still continues to obstruct any bills to move us forward.
The Senate Super majority myth
January 3, 2009 - 111th Congress sworn in. 55 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 2 Independents, 2 vacant.
January 15, 2009 - Roland Burris sworn in to Barack Obama's seat. 56 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 2 Independents, 2 vacant.
April 30, 2009 – Arlen Specter changes parties. 57 Democrats, 40 Republicans, 2 Independents, 1 vacant.
July 7, 2009 – Al Franken seated. 58 Democrats, 40 Republicans, 2 Independents.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE DEMOCRATS HAD A SHOT AT A
60-VOTE MAJORITY AND STILL NEEDED BOTH INDEPENDENTS.
August 25, 2009 – Teddy Kennedy dies. Kennedy had missed 97% of the votes in 2009 and over 90% in the last half of 2008. 57 Democrats, 40 Republicans, 2 Independents, 1 vacant.
September 25, 2009 – Paul Kirk appointed to Teddy Kennedy's seat. 58 Democrats, 40 Republicans, 2 Independents.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE DEMOCRATS HAD A SHOT AT A 60-VOTE MAJORITY AND STILL NEEDED THE INDEPENDENTS.
February 4, 2010 – Scott Brown sworn in to replace Paul Kirk. 57 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 2 Independents.
June 28, 2010 – Robert Byrd dies. Byrd had missed over 90% of the votes in 2010 and almost 50% in 2009 due to illness. 56 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 2 Independents, 1 vacant.
November 29, 2010 - Mark Kirk sworn in to replace Roland Burris. 56 Democrats, 42 Republicans, 2 Independents.
Super-majority? It never really existed because during
two periods when Teddy Kennedy and/or Robert Byrd were unable to vote they still needed to get the votes of every Democrat plus BOTH independents.
FACT: The "Democrat supermajority" is a G.O.P. lie.
FACT: The GOP used every roadblock, filibuster, and secret hold they could think of so that EVERY bill had to have a 60-vote margin to pass.
Cynthia's - great post. Thanks for the support - working and posting isn't always easy!
Obama/Biden 2012
Great post, Cynthia.
And true.
But the problem is that when a lot of the right see numbers, their eyes glaze over.
Therefore, they never figure out the truth.
Facts are irrelevant. Blind hatred is all that matters.
Laker Steve,
Don't bother talking logic to SeekingBrainCells. Even when you express your opinion fairly, and don't attack anyone, they resort to name calling and talking about your child being raped. They are sick, and not worth your effort. Seriously.
This is the action of our Supreme Court that voted to sell out our democracy to the big money of the rich and big business. However, we Americans have a responsibility. Are we going to allow this? Will people actually take an interest in our politics and vote? Will more than 50% of our people vote and show the world how we the people love our democracy? Or, will we let a few rich groups take over our country?
A Romney presidency would further the current agenda of the Supreme Idiots. WAKEUPAMERICA.
Linda
The answer to that question remains to be seen. What we must do, however, is get out on the streets in our communities and go door to door..leave some fact checking sheets with those who don't follow politics so they know the truth rather than be caught up in the millions of dollars in ads....
totally agree Linda, if one person gives you $1 million or 5000 people give you $2000 each, as they say in my area, "Who are you beholding to?"
Linda/Carolyn,
I completely agree, and that goes for regardless of who the message gets the vote for. Whether my guy or the other, this is a democracy and facts should matter. But, it appears that presidents get elected these days based on who is the loudest with their message of hate towards the other. It's amazing that such an amazing country turns to such crap when we elect our officials. It's like our kids don't play on the same soccer team once election season comes around. We should be able to discuss these differences and respect each others decisions.
I think this could backfire, though. Saturating the undecided voters with non-stop ads is more likely to leave them even more undecided to the point where they may just stay home or vote for neither. The ads will have very little chance of swaying anyone who's already decided and just ignoring them now.
The saturation will either convince them of one candidate or convince them to stay home.
Mostly this just makes them stay home. If they stay home, that is a victory for the Democrats, because they are a few points up in registration most of the swing states.
Well, the facts here are that the repeated message does work. As long as the message leaves the viewer with a slanted view that one is more favorable than the other. This is a standard and proven marketing technique. Now, it could backfire. Given the message is flawed, undecided voters could be swayed in the opposite direction. For example, in my area there is a red head in a Wendy's commercial that I can't stand.....won't eat there until she gets off of my television.
But, facts are facts. Similar to how you just know what 2+2 equals, a repeated message (whether true or false) will become "true" eventually to the undecided.
Amy B. Portland, ME
All these things happened while President Berraco Obama was in office. Amy from Portland, I think you lost it. I would like to see you fact check those bullets on your post? I guess the next thing would be to say that the Arab Spring was the Republican's fault.
concern-are you fn kidding me? I think you lost it. it probably happened during the Regan era, and further on. I for one want to see Sachs/Goldman reined in, along with Bof A, and others. We need MORE bank regulation not less. And Bush even said he had a few good years, messed some of it up on the end, and is glad he is out. He had to screw up while in here. How many of you DIDN'T vote for Bush!? How many of you think that no matter what we vote, the electoral college is one big JOKE and the winner will be whomever they want him to be.
I'm with you Citizen. That was one of the most absurd list of "facts" I have ever seen. She even thinks the republicans are the ones covering something up in F&F?!?!?!?!!! What? Exactly who was it that pulled the executive previledge card to hide the facts?
That was a bad program. An innocent man who was protecting us died. And, we deserve to know the truth.
The elections in this country are nothing but a big sham. Both parties do not deserve to hold office which either of them are intelligent enough to run a piss-ant farm let alone this country. Both candidates should be placed in a locked cage together and place the cage atop a volcano and let it erupt. The politics in this years election is about as good as a checkers match between two old people in a local barbershop. The candidates that would be perfect to be in the election and have better I.Q.'s than Obama and Romney are...."Robbie the Robot" and "Robot from Lost In Space". The best part about these is that they can be shut off by pulling their power packs when people get tired of listening their bull@!$%#.
Please enlighten us with your great wisdom as to who YOU would run instead of Messers Obama and Romney. Of coure they will have to be a Mr/Ms knowitall well versed in all things. Do you know the IQ of either of them? I'll bet they are above average. Oh, and Einstein is dead and besides he wasn't born in the USA.
In the wisdom of Joe Biden, I have one word for you Adler. Ron Paul.
scary. WAKEUPAMERICA.
If you are middle class vote all Democrate and you will see your quality of life improve.
yah right, the average American is poorer than they were the day Obama took office
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-23/u-s-incomes-feel-more-in-recovery-sentier-says.html
Right, and it had nothing to do with the corporate giveaways and "tax cuts" given during the Bush years, right? 8 years of damage must have been a figment of my imagination. Please, stop acting like this garbage happened overnight and Obama snapped his fingers and made the economy tank. News flash: the housing and stock markets both collapsed on Bush's watch in late 2008. Just sayin.....
What's even better, is that the wealthy and corporations have done quite well since Obama took office. Yet, they are sitting on trillions in cash. Squeezing everything they can from people while enjoying the fruits of our labor.
amen.
No, Terry. If you work hard, and give and love a lot, you will see your quality of life increase. It has little to do with all the government benefits that Democrats want to trade in return for your vote. However, voting straight Democrat could make all the work, love and giving in the world matter less. My source, you ask? Experience.
The Supreme Court's "Citizens United" abomination is having the intended effect: Turning democratic elections into an auction, where elected government officials are owned by the highest bidder.
Nope, all they can do with these millions is buy ads, campaign for votes. The voter still decides.
Campaign spending is very low, given the size of our economy. We spend more on fast food as a nation in a week.
The will of the people is that of overturning Citizens United..and we MUST! Meanwhile, sign the petitions and contact your "representatives" and put pressure on for the DISCLOSE ACT!
Fair enough Carolyn. So what do we do about Buffets financial influence? Now, don't be biased.
Outside Cash! Outside Cash! Outside Cash! Outside Cash! Millionaires, if you want a free economy in the future, we gotta see a lot of dollar bills.
Just had to say it.....love the name.
People who've made money in the free market have to start spending millions of that to get these Socialist-Lite Democrat Scum out of government.
Find real ltd govt types and we need to start seeing billions going to these people.
You don't even KNOW what "socialism" is. So please turn off your Fox News and shut it already.
Yes I do, govt control of the economy in the alleged interests of the workers...and you socialist-lite scum need to be kept out of government.
Just out of curiosity, how many socialist countries have you spent a significant amount of time in? You are aware that their quality of life is consistently ranked far higher than the United States. They out perform us in health care, education, housing, infrastructure, pensions, wages, the list goes on and on. I don't think you have any clue as to what socialism is all about. After spending a few years in Norway, Denmark, Sweden etc... you might understand why those countries have a higher standard of living than the United States.
Isn't it funny how people in Norway don't seem to have any desire to immigrate to the US? I wonder why that is?
No it isn't....the Euro countries you refer to aren't pure socialist nations, they have a Welfare State like we do, which leeches off the semi-free market...theirs is a little more bloated, and nearly all of them rank behind the US in living standards.
The average Euro has $10K less in purchasing power...that's a lower living standard. You lefties can lie about the Eurotopia all you want, but they're poorer. By a lot.
Allison,
Your argument falls flat once the reader sees that you're comparing apples to genital warts. Those countries you listed are not the United States. They don't have the market we have. They don't have the responsibilities we have. And they don't have the potential we have. Let's be fair. Do you know what life in Russia or China is like? I do know about one, and it sucks. I'm pretty certain the other does too. We have always been a leader, and it would be an error to start acting like some minor country that is irrelevant on the worlds stage.
The real truth about campaign finance, over 80% of all the super PAC money is coming from less than 20 individuals, mostly right wing. "Turdblossom" is still at it. Hoover and Bush, and now Ritt MORmoney are birds of a feather. Don't look now the robber barons are back and they're trying to steal our country. I want my country back. The Federalist Society has bought the SC(R)OTUS Supreme Court Republican of the United States, and will attempt to now sell the government to the highest bidder, as happened under Bush, Delay, Abramoff et al.
My god you liberals are dense. You do realize that a republican on the SCOTUS kept Obama care alive, right? Also, the details are out there. Go check out Obama's foreign contributions from 2008. I'm sure that an outstanding American such as yourself will be very offended by how Obama's election was paid for.
This just in....95% of all mainstream media coverage blast Romney and blows Obama. But the media is OK with that. Yet, Obama only leads about 48%-44%. I AM glad we are not ALL lemmings.
The larger question is what do these donors expect in return? It seems ludicrous for any one person or business to spend this much money and not want something in return for their investment. After all these people just don't throw money away. And that something they want may not be what the rank and file (the 99%) want or need with regards to their interest. Who is not being served here?
It's LEGAL BRIBERY. Period. End of story.
What's amazing (and sickening) is that these clowns have rigged the system so that they don't have to pay taxes or report certain details, like who sent them money, to the IRS.
This is just the latest step towards the destruction of our country and democracy. Regardless of your affiliation, we can't continue with money flooding our elections. Whether you're on the "right" or "left," we are ALL being robbed. These criminals in office DO NOT represent you or me, unless you are one of their wealthy buddies.
Agreed, but you'll have a hard time getting that message through this biased group.
Legal bribery - but it requires the collusion and surrender of our conservatives. We wouldn't have this legal bribery if conservatives were not so stupid.
Don't vote for the Koch brother candidates. Don't vote for the Citizen United supporters. Don't be so stupid as to believe that honest journalism is "pro-Obama" - it is not, it is pro-truth. The bought-for media, designed to fool conservatives, is what allows for this corruption. Don't believe Fox. They are at the heart of our national problems.
That's funny. When media supports Obama it's honest journalism. When media supports Romney, they were bought. Pull your head out of the sand. Thank god we have your wisdom in the electorate.
People, I have an important message. noncoms is here to save the day.......we're all going to be alright.
Isn't Planned Parenthood a social program? Don't they also solicit for charitable donations? Yet they can spend 1.5 million dollars trying to influence who wins the Presidential Election.... What is happening to my tax dollars? When you donate money to a charitable institution how much of it goes to the people you really want to help? This entire election is a fraud against the people of the United States of America. We the People have no real say in anything anymore. I don't want either one of these knuckleheads in office. I believe the underlying story here is that corporations are trying to buy the election. And if they are spending this kind of money, what kind of return do they expect?
Wayne did you see my post, that is the big question, and that is what worries me the most.
yeah. these super PACS must think their constituents are really dumb. They think we can't do a simple google search at the end of their campaign and find out who they play in the sandbox with?
I am just happy I don't watch TV anymore. Political ads of any party or politician annoy the hell out of me.
I know what you mean, I just watch movies or read books.
Petition--Mitt Romney: Release 10 years of tax returns
To read more about and to sign the petition, click here:
www.change.org/petitions/mitt-romney-release-10-years-of-tax-returns-2?share_id=tmQDgRetxz&utm_campaign=petition_creator_email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition
Folks, you all need to WAKE UP and REALIZE that all money spent by outside groups could just as easily be donated by N KOREA as from the Koch brothers! There is little to NO accountability for this money. While so many RW groups are concerned with illegal Mexicans voting in Presidential elections....Ahmadinejad can FAR MORE EASILY contribute 100 million to buy an American Presidential election.
WAKE UP FOOLS
Well it worked for Bill Clinton and Al Gore
am I the only one that looks at all this wasted money and think how it could help this country instead of the bs is going for????????
AMEN. Spending caps on ALL American electoral campaigns. NO MORE corporate (OR UNION) personhood. Dollar for dollar, ad for ad spending. MONEY should NOT have a voice. Citizens only!
Geno -
There are millions of Americans that feel the same way.
How many children could be fed?
How many houses could be built?
How many lives could be saved?
Salud
Nope. I'm another one.
Geno, that's just because you're clueless about the size of government vs. the size of campaign spending.
The Govt spends trillions/year, and we spend hundreds of millions, maybe 2 billion tops, in campaign spending.
Therefore...the spending is pretty low.
The most important story today is the attacks on US embassies and protests throughout the Middle East, yet it is missing on NBC News main headlines. Shame on them.
Our embassies should have been much better protected this past 9/11 than others due to the fact we killed bin Laden in the past year. This should have been expected. They are saying that there was plenty of warning about this BEFORE any stupid video came out for the liberals to blame it on.
Obama FAILED to protect our citizens abroad partly because he is out campaigning to save his job. His priorities are all messed up and Romney would make a much better President, and stronger internationally.
The Middle East is the Land of da Devil. The U S should just stay out of there. They will never have Peace.
Why do all the Middle Eastern women have to dress up like “Cousin It”?
Hopefully there will come a day when we can tell them to “Drink their Oil and Eat their Sand”.
Remember Republicans, when these Foreign Countries ask for Aid and Funding….just say No.
Cut off all Funding to Foreign Countries, especially Pakistan. Why are we giving them Billions of $$$$$$ just to be our “Little Friend”? Did they Apologize for Hiding Out Bin Laden?
You Bet Cha….Fer Sure
bin Laden was killed in May of 2011 not this year. Why are facts so hard for you to understand
I hardly think the President's daily schedule affects security measure in Benghazi. And if Romney becomes President he will spend just as much time campaining for re-election. And you know it.
All Republican TeaBilly Conservative Politicians are nothing more than Political Puppets. Every move they make is controlled by the Lobbyist, Special Interest, and the Self Righteous.
Half of all money raised by Politicians (Including Super PAC’S) should go towards the National Debt , Health Care Fund, and Charity. Why don't we "Tax" the Millions of dollars that they collect for their Campaigns?
They should also pay for their own Security out of these Campaign Funds.