Presidential campaigns advertising heavily in battleground states
It may be seven months until Election Day, but as viewers of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Jeopardy" and even college basketball have discovered, an unprecedented television air war is under way between President Bush and Sen. John Kerry.
In 17 battleground states and on specialty cable channels nationwide, the candidates and independent Democratic groups have spent nearly $29 million to promote themselves and define their opponent in the opening weeks of the general election campaign. And like for a new brand of cold medicine or the latest model of a sport-utility vehicle, the campaigns are beginning to target segments of voters with surgical-like precision.
That's why in St. Louis recently, viewers of shows as varied as "American Idol" and "America's Most Wanted" have seen a campaign ad from Bush, but not Kerry. At the same time, Democratic commercials criticizing the Bush have appeared on shows ranging from "The Simpsons" to "Judge Judy."
On television screens, the 2004 presidential race is off to a furiously fast start, with political pitches being broadcast months earlier than in previous campaigns. More than ever before, niche marketing is being blended with political strategy, hoping to win over a slice of undecided voters that analysts believe will decide the election. -- Politicians tuning in to voters' favorite shows (Chicago Tribune)