Follow the Money

[Pauligan]

Washington (CNN) – Opponents of President Obama’s approach to health care reform have outspent supporters by more than $7 million in the past 30 days in what has become the most expensive one year, single issue advocacy campaign on television in the nation’s history.

So far, more than $151 million has been spent in 2009 on TV ads by organizations promoting, opposing or simply weighing in on the health care debate, according to an exclusive analysis conducted for CNN by TNSMI-Campaign Media Analysis Group (CMAG).

Supporters of Obama’s approach to health care reform began airing TV commercials earlier in the year than opponents and account for $61 million, while opponents have spent $52.3 million and groups with an interest in the debate but not advocating a position have dedicated $38 million.

In the past 30 days, supporters of Obama's approach to health care reform spent nearly $12 million on TV ads while opponents countered with $19.1 million.

“We are starting to see a separation in the messaging,” said Evan Tracey, president of CMAG and CNN’s consultant on political television advertising. “Groups that are opposed to President Obama’s health care plan are starting to turn up the volume in key states to put pressure on lawmakers to vote against these bills.”

On Wednesday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent a whopping $1.5 million alone to air an ad linking the depressed economy to the health care debate in cities stretching from Juneau, Alaska, to Roanoke, Virginia.

“This advertising is turning very gray in terms of the senior voters they are targeting and the mood of the electorate who are pessimistic about the economy,” said Tracey.

Americans for Stable Quality Care, a coalition of health care interest and liberal advocacy groups, spent more than $8.2 million over the past month on commercials to lead the spending in support of Obama’s approach to reform. The Chamber spent $9.7 million on TV ads, while America’s Health Insurance Plans, an association of insurers, dedicated $5.5 million to commercials during this same 30 day time period.

The House is meeting for a rare weekend session as the Democratic majority tries to pass a health care bill.

“The Chamber ad combined with a lot of weekend news coverage of the new unemployment numbers is going to be a potential one-two punch as House Democrats try to pass a health care reform bill,” Tracey said.

Tracey is referring to news Friday that the nation’s unemployment rate rose to 10.2 percent, the highest it has been since 1983.


All these vested interests interested in helping us, the people. Doesn't it warm your heart? Whose bought and paid for rhetoric are you listening to?

[patriot_son]

Only reason we knock the fat cats is because they're rich, we're poor and we'd like to turn the tables...have a reversal of wealth.

[Pauligan]

Originally Posted by patriot_son

Only reason we knock the fat cats is because they're rich, we're poor and we'd like to turn the tables...have a reversal of wealth.

That's not why I knock them. I really don't care if they're rich or not. What bothers me is their unfair advantage over our government's policy decisions. It's flat out bribery.

[patriot_son]

Well sure Paul...yet if we were in their boots we'd not do differently I'd guess

[Pauligan]

Originally Posted by patriot_son

Well sure Paul...yet if we were in their boots we'd not do differently I'd guess

I guess I don't feel the need for that kind of power. I'm a compromiser. I'm happiest when those around me are happy. I've had money and I shared it. I don't have much money now and I still share it. Not everyone in the world has money as a priority, but the ones who have it seem to make it their main priority.

[patriot_son]

I suggest then, my friend, that you would be the ideal benevolent dictator

[Pauligan]

Originally Posted by patriot_son

I suggest then, my friend, that you would be the ideal benevolent dictator

LoL...now that's one job I wouldn't be interested in at all. I don't need the ego stroking or the headaches that go with it.

[patriot_son]

LOL I'm with ya! Couldn't comensate me well enough to make me take such a position
Somehow it seems though that those with the bucks just levitate to positions of power. I guess when you can buy anything you want, the next step is the buying of power over the pathetic masses who are definitely not peers.

[Pauligan]

Originally Posted by patriot_son

LOL I'm with ya! Couldn't comensate me well enough to make me take such a position
Somehow it seems though that those with the bucks just levitate to positions of power. I guess when you can buy anything you want, the next step is the buying of power over the pathetic masses who are definitely not peers.

Well, that's the whole problem in a nutshell. Those that strive for wealth and power usually attain it because that is priority. In our capitalistic society these people are deemed successful and pretty much anything they do morally is excused because they have wealth and power. Anyone can attain wealth if that is their main priority and those with wealth eventually taste the power that goes with it. It's the power that is addicting and it's addiction is as unquenchable as any heroin junkie's addiction. There are no morals involved when addiction is involved.

[patriot_son]

Yep. Brings to mind Nixon, Johnson and a lot of others who absolutely puffed up in the glory of self and the powers vested in them by we, the foolish people.