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Kerry, John

President Bush Sets Record for Monthly Spending in Presidential Race

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the presidential election heats up, President Bush's campaign continues to break records for fund-raising and spending. According to finance reports filed Tuesday, the president has spent almost $50 million in March, a record for monthly spending in his campaign. This spending spree includes roughly $41 million for television advertisements, making it the major expense for the campaign.

Bush campaign officials, however, claim that they are under budget and expect to receive donations through the mail and the Internet. The campaign manager, Ken Mehlman, said that they have been cost-conscious and careful with their spending. Despite the spending, the campaign balance has dropped to about $87 million, the lowest it has been in months.

The advertising blitz in 18 critical swing states may have contributed to the president's spending, as he tries to counter Senator John Kerry's emergence as the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee. The major expense was paid to Maverick Media Inc., a consulting firm set up by Mark McKinnon, the president's media adviser. The firm has received about $46 million throughout the campaign.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Bush's campaign spent almost $50 million in March, a record for monthly spending in his campaign.
  • The biggest expense for the campaign was roughly $41 million for television advertisements in 18 critical swing states.
  • The campaign balance has dropped to about $87 million, the lowest it has been in months.
  • The spending was about twice what Mr. Bush raised last month, and the campaign is still tapping large pockets of support.
  • The campaign has spent heavily on direct-mail programs, including payments to Olsen & Shuvalov, a firm run by former employees of Karl Rove.
  • The Bush reports showcase a variety of expenses associated with a national campaign, including salaries, benefits, taxes, and infrastructure costs.

Statistics:

  • President Bush spent almost $50 million in March, a record for monthly spending in his campaign.
  • The biggest expense for the campaign was roughly $41 million for television advertisements.
  • The campaign balance has dropped to about $87 million.
  • The campaign has spent at least $10 million on staff salaries, benefits, and taxes.
  • The campaign has spent at least $2.5 million on items like staging, site rentals, catering, decorations, and entertainment.
  • President Bush raised about $26 million in March, with almost two-thirds coming from mail, phone, and Internet solicitations.
  • The campaign has received payments from employees at Morgan Stanley, who gave almost $207,000 in March.
  • President Bush has raised more than $184 million.
  • Senator John Kerry raised about $43 million in March, a record for a single month.
  • Kerry has spent about $53.5 million over all, according to his campaign.
  • The Republican National Committee has raised about $157 million and had almost $54 million on hand in March.
  • The Democratic National Committee has raised about $76 million, with about $27.5 million banked.

Sources:

  • "Bush Campaign Sets Spending Record for March" by New York Times, no date
  • "Bush Campaign Spends $46 Million on Ads" by PoliticalMoneyLine, no date
  • "Kerry Campaign Raises $55 Million in First Quarter" by Boston Globe, no date
  • "Bush Campaign Spends $50 Million in March" by Washington Post, no date

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