Posted on 09/23/2004 4:58:47 AM PDT by crv16
WASHINGTON — House Democrats have canceled plans to spend nearly $1 million in television advertising on two House races in New Hampshire, a move they said was forced by an unusual demand that the entire ad buy be paid for up front.
The top official at WMUR-TV said there is nothing unusual about the demand; cash in advance is the standard policy when it comes to political advertising, said station General Manager Jeff Bartlett. Losing campaigns can’t raise money to pay bills, he said.
“If you want to book five weeks, you pay five weeks,” Bartlett said. “We don’t put it on our books and guarantee it will run until we see the check. This station has been like this forever.”
The move comes as the two Democratic candidates — 1st District candidate Justin Nadeau and 2nd District candidate Paul Hodes — begin to mount campaigns against Republican incumbents. Both campaigns yesterday said they weren’t aware of the decision.
By law, the party campaign organizations cannot coordinate media buys with candidate campaigns. The developments were disclosed in public records and confirmed by a party spokesman.
Greg Speed, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said the races remain competitive and said the $1 million will remain in New Hampshire. He said later buys may take place with WMUR in the future.
While Speed acknowledged that all TV stations want political ad money up front, he said WMUR is the only one to ask for the entire amount two weeks before a multi-week ad package even begins to run.
A Democratic source, however, said WMUR is just making the best of the highly charged political situation in New Hampshire. The battleground state is drawing heavy ad buys from the Presidential campaigns, and WMUR is the only New Hampshire-based statewide television station.
“It’s a seller’s market,” the source said. “It’s a very unique situation.”
Bartlett confirmed that the Democratic group had inquired about buying a large block of advertising. But nothing was ever scheduled because no payment was made, he said.
Earlier news reports said Democrats planned to reserve five weeks of television time at a cost of $944,000.
Campaign managers for both Democratic campaigns said they will mount their own television advertising campaigns. They downplayed the DCCC decision.
“This is very speculative to draw conclusions of what they’re doing,” cautioned Hodes campaign manager Sean Carberry. “It would be one thing if they put money on the table and asked for a refund, but they never delivered a check to WMUR. They were just reserving time.”
Steve Marchand, a spokesman for Nadeau, said spending decisions about congressional campaign money shift from state to state and depend on various factors, including the top of the ticket.
“Until you get to the last couple of weeks, nothing’s certain,” Marchand said.
It’s a matter of triage, said Patrick Griffin, a media consultant for incumbent Republicans Jeb Bradley and Charles Bass. Party organizations such as the DCCC and its Republican counterparts look at races across the country and decide what districts are competitive and worth sinking money into.
“Until you write that check and make that decision of one district over another, it’s just bluster,” Griffin said. “They’ll come in here if they think their money is going to do something.”
But Speed said the $1 million will remain in New Hampshire.
“We’re still watching these races very closely in New Hampshire,” he said. “We have two excellent candidates.”
In fact, if she would nullify her prenuptual agreement with Kerry, it would free up a billion or so to save his campaign.
How about it, Teresa? Don't you trust him?
MoveOn.org is waiting stage left.
That's worth repeating.
'Losing campaigns can’t raise money to pay bills, he said.'
Stations are getting smart after being stiffed by Dem candidates over the years. Jimmah Carter still owes millions on his losing campaign and that scofflaw hasn't paid his bills, while traipsing the world telling others how to run elections.
"Just put it on my tab - really, we're good for it"
Same with John Glenn when he ran for President - owed $8 million, and several small businesses went under because he never paid, and said he "couldn't" because of the law.
He's such a scumbag.
" Jimmah Carter still owes millions on his losing campaign and that scofflaw hasn't paid his bills, while traipsing the world telling others how to run elections."
You mean from 24 years ago! I think the debt would have rolled over by now and some of his creditors wouldn't even be in business!
Shoot, it's not just the campaigns, we did a service call for a local Dem state house rep at his law office and it took us 4 months to get paid.
Yeah, it sure is worth repeating...
Losing campaigns can’t raise money to pay bills, he said.
That's worth repeating.
'Losing campaigns can’t raise money to pay bills, he said.'
Does anyone know the time span allowed for these groups to air commericals before the election? Soros has unlimited funds available. He must enjoy throwing his money into an empty pit.
No, it's that both GOP incumbents are firmly moderate Republicans-- exactly like the state. They'll both score 60% of the vote.
These guys aren't fools. They know the DNC, like their Dem constituents, will take whatever they can and leave someone else holding the bag.
That leaves him with two states: FL and PA. He must get both. We can with without either if Bush also gets NM (ahead) and Iowa (ahead).
I do NOT want to go through 2000 again, however. I hope we see some settling in FL after the hurricanes, which should benefit Bush.
I worked at a small station in central Florida back in the 1980's, and the owner always required that politicians and preachers pay up front.
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