Study on Campaign Ads

As reported in the Washington Post, a study by the Wisconsin Advertising Project, based at the University of Wisconsin and directed by Ken Goldstein, looked at campaign advertising during the week prior to September 18. The study found that the Obama campaign actually ran more negative advertising - 77% of Obama's ads determined to be 'negative' compared with 56% for the McCain campaign's ads.

The study says the campaigns poured $15 million into the ad wars last week -- they were virtually even in total spending. Interest-group advertising was marginal at $187,000, although that is expected to ramp up in the coming weeks. Three pro-Obama groups aired commercials -- the Service Employees International Union, Defenders of Wildlife and Planned Parenthood -- while one, Vets for Freedom, ran spots on McCain's behalf.