ads100908
On the homepage
Scanners
Out There
Gas lines
Club Outdoors
Home | Politically Connected | State Politics
'Minnewisowa' takes back seat to other regions
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on DiggMore from State Politics
While the campaigns of Barack Obama and John McCain have kept their sights trained on Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa, recent ad spending indicates that "Minnewisowa" isn't their biggest battleground.
In the week ending last Saturday, the campaigns spent a little more than $3 million combined in the three states out of the $28 million they spent nationwide during that period.
Far bigger sums poured into the even bigger Midwest battleground states of Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania, according to the Wisconsin Advertising Project, which tracks political ad spending.
In these three states of the Upper Midwest, where recent polls have shown Obama pulling comfortably ahead of McCain, Wisconsin is the only one in which the Democrat outspent the Republican (about $1.2 million vs. almost $900,000).
Smaller sums were spent by the two campaigns in Minnesota ($608,000 by McCain vs. $121,000 by Obama) and Iowa ($227,000 vs. $172,000).
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa -- which have a combined 27 electoral votes -- have emerged as a political unit where both campaigns have recently lavished attention in the form of candidate visits.
In the past several weeks, the candidates or their running mates have visited the three states a dozen times.
McCain is headed back on Friday, when he will hold campaign stops in Lakeville and La Crosse, Wis. -- the same city where Obama most recently appeared on Oct. 1.
BOB VON STERNBERG
Recent State Politics stories
Unallotment appeal put on legal fast track - October 8, 2008
Unallotment appeal put on legal fast track - Gov. Tim Pawlenty's lawyers got a judge's green light, and funding was restored to a state nutrition program. More
- Pawlenty: Keep sex offenders in prison
- Bill helps consumers against debt buyers
- Senate passes $1 billion bonding bill
- Pawlenty hints at stadium solution
- Pawlenty defends budget cuts
- $78.5M to stop carp invasion
- Pawlenty's final deer opener in Little Falls
- Teachers union buys air time to urge funding
- Hacker targets McCollum's website
- Minn. lawmaker: No bottled water for state workers
Current state office holders
Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
Minnesota's political giants: Learn more about the men and women who have shaped Minnesota's political history.
StarTribune.com: Steals + Deals & Classifieds
Learn how to do it right.
Simplify your job search by learning the best way to approach networking, resumes, cover letters, and interviewing.
Tips for getting more for less
Subscribe to the weekly
Win tickets to The Midnight Movie Society's screening of cult-classic film "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" at Red Stag Supperclub.Vita.mn and DJ Jake Rudh present the first meeting of The Midnight Movie Society at Red Stag Supperclub on Feb. 19, with drinking, dancing and a midnight screening of cult-classic film, "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls." |
Comment on this story | Read all 10 comments | Hide reader comments