LAT: Bush Casts Big Net; Kerry Picks Spots (TV ads)

[DeepModem Mom]

THE RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE
Bush Casts Big Net; Kerry Picks Spots
Democrat's ad spending targets fewer states, possibly signaling a steeper challenge.

By Nick Anderson, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON — In the first full week after the Republican convention, President Bush blitzed 17 states with television commercials in an effort to capitalize on his momentum in battlegrounds from coast to coast.

At the same time, Sen. John F. Kerry spent his TV dollars in a much narrower pool of eight crucial states. Democratic allies, meanwhile, sought to keep Kerry's chances alive in Arizona, Colorado and Missouri with advertisements in those Bush-leaning states.

That is the current picture of the electoral battlefield based on interviews Tuesday with top Democratic and Republican strategists and independent analysts as well as new data on TV ad buying patterns compiled for The Times.

"Bush is continuing with the national battleground strategy, to extend his convention bounce," said Evan Tracey, chief operating officer of TNSMI/Campaign Media Analysis Group, which tracks ads for The Times. "Kerry is now cherry-picking. He's trying to extend his money and extend his buys. Either he's trying to husband his resources or he's saying the playing field is shrinking."

Another analyst said The Times' data showed the map was tilting toward Bush....


http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-ads15sep15,1,5821223.story?coll=la-home-politics

[Democat]

1. These are not good signs - negative attacks have been extremely effective

Many DUers will say the usual "this is the media trying to undermine us" but the fact is that things are not looking as good as they should.

Kerry should have been swinging at Bush from day one - and especially during our convention. His attacks now are good, if still not as focussed as they could be, but they look somewhat reactionary because he only really started attacking after Bush took the lead.

We'll have to hope that they are able to turn things around in the next few weeks. There will be no time for rest and no time for backing off the attacks. This is a fight we must win at all cost.

[lancdem]

3. Bush is still enjoying his bounce

I'm not sure the limited ad buys are bad news. If Bush is outspending Kerry right now on ads that could mean Kerry is holding back until October, when he may more money on hand than Bush. I think they started September with about the same amount. Kerry may have spent some of his $75 million in August, but not much.

[gasperc]

4. Bush spends his money fast

but I don't think he cares, he'll just spend illegally over the limit and pay the fine later. he doesn't give a shit.

[shockingelk]

2. Sounds like Jr's going fot thr ntn'l popular vote

Weren't some people saying there was a "plan" if Bush won the popular vote but lost the EV in 2000?

But the error in the article is assuming the ad buys for both reflect the strategy from here on out.