NYT/AP: Spending by outside groups for Dem TV ads not at level of '04

[DeepModem Mom]

Outside Groups Spending Millions on Ads
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 30, 2006

Heading into the final weeks before the Nov. 7 elections, independent advocacy groups, many financed by a few wealthy donors, are spending millions on ads in some of the most contested states and congressional districts.

Between Jan. 1 and Sept. 26, Republican-leaning groups spent $13.8 million on advertising while advertising on behalf of Democrats totaled $6.3 million, according to the Campaign Media Analysis Group. Throw in the advertising the political parties are paying for, and the Republicans have spent $5 on ads for every $3 spent by Democrats.

That is a significant reversal from 2004, when Democratic groups outnumbered and outspent Republican organizations. Now, some Democratic officials are wondering when their deep-pocketed liberal allies will step in to help.

''If it's there, I haven't seen it,'' said Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the Illinois Democrat who heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. ''I can't tell you what happened from '04 to '06 and why some decided either not to participate in this election or not be at the same level.''...

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So far, most of the Democratic advertising help has come from MoveOn.org, a liberal group has been raising smaller contributions as a federally regulated political action committee....Right now, MoveOn is only advertising in two New York congressional districts and one in New Hampshire....

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Independent-Ads.html