According to NBC News analysis of data provided by ad-buying firm SMG Delta, ad spending in the presidential campaign … is on pace to reach or come close to $1 billion, Domenico Montanaro reports.
The Obama campaign is one ad buy away from reaching $300 million by itself. But with outside money factored in, ‘Team Romney’ (the campaign plus outside groups supporting him or attacking the president) is outspending ‘Team Obama’ $455 million to $352 million.
The Romney campaign, which has come on since Labor Day, is now the second-biggest spender at $164 million. Following the Romney campaign are the combined Karl-Rove backed Crossroads groups — American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS [$124 million]…Other big spenders: Restore Our Future (pro-Romney) $69 million, Priorities USA (pro-Obama) $48 million, Americans for Prosperity (pro-Romney) $46 million, the Republican National Committee (pro-Romney) $24 million, and late-comer Americans for Job Security (pro-Romney) $9 million.”
Top states for spending this year: Florida, $166 million; Ohio, $160 million; Virginia, $126 million; Colorado, $72 million; North Carolina, $69 million; Iowa, $62 million; Nevada, $49 million; New Hampshire, $34 million; Wisconsin, $32 million.