The Campaign Dollar Flood

The Wesleyan Media Project estimates some $198 million has been spent on congressional races this year...

...in just the last five weeks.

An estimated $198M has been spent on advertising in U.S. Senate and U.S. House races in the five weeks between 9/1 and 10/7.  With September as the traditional start to the general election season, the 75 percent increase in spending (from $113M during the same period in 2008) includes an 84 percent spending increase in U.S. Senate races and a 65 percent increase in U.S. House ads.

Some $65 million has been spent by interest groups in the last five weeks.  I know, I know, the argument is "well both sides do it."  True.  But if we go by the top 10 interest groups spending cash this year,  Republicans have an overwhelming edge.

The two Democratic groups have spent about $4 million on ads.  The other 8 are backing the Republicans, and they have poured in more than ten times that amount...over $41 million.

And nearly all of that is anonymous.

More will be spent here in the final 3 weeks, too, probably as much as has been spent in these recent five.  That means tens of millions more.

Thanks, Supreme Court!