Independent Expenditures: September 27

Money is Speech - What are People Saying? CBMG provides clear and comprehensive analysis of political spending

September 28, 2012

Today’s post, the Spend Money to Make Money Edition, includes a breakdown of yesterday’s massive independent expenditures. Large ‘pro-business’ groups, classified as as 501 (c)(6) organizations, reported $11.5 million in outside spending to the FEC. 10 different groups disclosed $500K or more with the top 5 collectively expending a staggering $17 million. Disclosures targeting President Obama and Mr. Romney came back with a vengeance on Thursday, accounting for 55% of the day’s total spend.

The Roundup: $24.8 million disclosed by 34 organizations attempting to influence over 25 federal elections

The Big Spender: Americans for Job Security disclosed a massive $8.2 million on media buys for TV ads opposing Mr. Obama. AJS, founded by American Crossroads veterans and share office space with AC, is a pro-business organization classified under the tax code as a business league or trade association. AJS’s only other disclosure was $650K opposing failed Republican primary candidate for Senate from Wisconsin , Eric Hovde. Several other big name groups reported spending in excess of $2 million Thursday - Pro-Obama Super PAC, Priorities USA Action, the US Chamber of Commerce PAC and pro-Democrat, House Majority PAC.

Cashing In: Crossroads Media walked away with the lion’s share or AJS’s disclosure - pocketing $8.1 million. In this election cycle, Crossroads Media has earned an astronomical $54.4 million from the Crossroad organizations and their spin-offs.

House or Senate? The House. In another day of relative disclosure parity between the two houses of Congress, groups disclosed $5.9 million targeting House elections and $5.3 million Senate contests.

The Hotspot: Florida. The Sunshine State topped the rest of the states in the Union attracting $2.7 million of Thursday’s disclosures. $2 million of the total, disclosed by The US Chamber of Commerce, negatively targeted Democratic candidate for Senate and incumbent, Bill Nelson.

The Highstriker: The Republicans. Pro-Republican groups disclosed $14.7 million compared to the $10 million spent by pro-Democrat equivalents.

Check back tomorrow for Friday’s breakdown and check the disclosure summary table below.