AP: Kerry Spending $25M on Ads in May

[wyldwolf]

John Kerry is sharply expanding his campaign advertising with a $25 million buy this month that exceeds the total he has spent on television commercials since wrapping up the Democratic presidential nomination.

The new ad campaign featuring his biography and platform includes substantial ventures into two Republican-leaning states.

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Politics/ap20040502_896.html

[Cocoa]

1. Louisiana and Colorado

interesting...


Bush won Louisiana and Colorado in 2000, but Kerry advisers believe the Democrat
has a shot at grabbing the nine electoral votes available in each of the two states this
year. Bush has not run ads on local stations in either state.

[mobuto]

2. Kerry's targeting Louisiana and Colorado

If we can win either of those, that would be great.

But why isn't he spending money on field operations? Can he afford to rely on ACT and the Coordinated Campaigns?

[rockymountaindem]

8. I'm worried about that too.

The "ground war" is probably more valuable than the "air war". I think it's going to come down to getting out the vote.

[mobuto]

9. Well, its a bit more complicated than that

Since I know first hand that the DNC, the State Parties, ACT and a couple of labor groups are getting ready to run what combined will be the most extensive GOTV effort in history. The Kerry campaign is looking to rely on them to do its dirty work, it seems, and I'm sure they'll do a great job, but I'm not sure that's sufficient. Even when you have two overlapping organizations doing exactly the same work in the same area, you're lucky to get 60% coverage in this business. So maybe Kerry needs to set up a redundant field operation.

[jjmalonejr]

3. The ads are great!

I just went to www.johnkerry.com to check them out. I especially like the latest two, "Risk" (where he outlines his plan for Iraq) and "Committment" (where he simply states what his values and his priorities will be as President).

Things will continue to get worse for George Bush and I believe his approval ratings will continue to plummet. Conversely, as more and more people get to know John Kerry, you'll see his numbers start to pick up.

[BabsSong]

4. Hey, maybe there's something here.

I read and said "for Christ's sake why those two states"?? Well, there is a possibility that Bush is going to lose Wisconsin for example and maybe PA. Bush is putting all his money in these states but there are states that he is taking for granted that just might come into the mix. If Kerry can upset Bush's applecart and make him pull out money and start running into other states, Kerry could make Bush run out of funds.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

5. I'd think Louisiana is do-able..given recent experience

...seems the Dems can be competitive there in statewide races, which is more than I can say for friggin' Ohio!

[lancdem]

6. Yep

The goal is make Bush spend money in places he should already have sewn up.

[robbedvoter]

7. He wuz robbed! (Or else, I am for granted again)

[salonghorn70]

10. Louisiana and Colorado

This is fascinating for a political junkie. This is the first real information that we have had in regards to what states Kerry may go after in addition to the battle ground states. So, if they are interested in Louisiana and Colorado, I wonder if this says anything about a potential VP? Richardson would help in Colorado but not Louisiana. Clark and Edwards would help in Louisiana but not sure about Colorado.

[unblock]

11. this is EXCELLENT strategy!

bush threw the gore campaign off balance by buying airtime in places like california and new york, where he never even had a real shot outside of a landslide (i.e., if he was going to win california, he was going to win election even without california.)

but it 'forced' gore to divert money and time to the 'safe' states.

kerry is learning from the republican playbook, and as far as election tactics go, this is a good thing. i'd LOVE to see the bush campaign scrambling to save states like colorado and louisiana!