Bush’s $40m ad spree leaves Democrats trailing

PRESIDENT George W Bush spent twice as much as Democrats in just four weeks on the air, pouring about $40 million into television and radio commercials that championed his record and assailed John Kerry’s.

Mr Kerry, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, spent about $6m on ads during the same period. But his campaign has been helped by liberal, outside groups that have spent another $14m on commercials, allowing the Democrats to pull even or ahead of Mr Bush in some media markets in competitive states.

Still, with $110m in the bank, Mr Bush has been burying Democrats since March 4, when he first went on the air with heavy levels of television advertising in 18 states, on national cable networks and on radio stations nationwide.

It's unclear what effect Mr Bush's onslaught has had on the race, particularly in battleground states where the most ads are running.

Polls show Mr Bush and Mr Kerry remain in a virtual tie compared with early March when Mr Kerry on a bounce after a string of primary victories lead Mr Bush, who had yet to begin active campaigning.

The surveys also show Mr Kerry losing ground on domestic issues, such as jobs and health care, which pollsters attribute to the ads and daily criticisms of Mr Kerry by Republicans, including Mr Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney.

Mr Bush's ads are meant to remind voters of his strengths and define Mr Kerry negatively for voters as weak on defence and the economy before the Democrat has a chance to project a positive image.