Outside Spending in GOP Race Up 1,600% from 2008

The newest study by The Wesleyan Media Project analyzed data on advertising in the Republican primary thus far, as well as ad buys by the Obama campaign in swing states. The results show that both groups are being aggressive early, but easily the most aggressive have been the outside organizations – PACs and unions – that were freed up by the U.S. Supreme Court decision know as “Citizens United” in 2010. The result has been fewer ads and less money being spent early on, but a much larger percentage of that money being spent by outside organizations – 1,600% more, specifically. The study was highlighted on NPR’s All Things Considered. Numerous other stories have also covered the study, including two in US Today, two in The Washington Post, and stories in Politico, The Wall Street Journal, The L.A. Times, The Miami Herald, and several other media outlets.