Barack Obama, John McCain say they hate meddlers ... but both benefit from them

Barack Obama and John McCain say they disdain independent campaigns being waged for and against them. But now that the conventions are over and the general election is in full swing, both presidential candidates are benefiting from millions being spent by groups beyond their control.

Outside groups have spent $11.7 million boosting Obama's candidacy between June, when he locked up the Democratic nomination, and Sept. 4. A relative pittance, $916,000, has been spent on McCain’s behalf, Federal Election Commission filings show.

But McCain and his new running mate Sarah Palin are the beneficiaries of money being spent against Obama. Groups have spent $10.3 million to undermine Obama, compared to $696,195 to criticize McCain.

By far the biggest player so far is the Service Employees International Union, which represents tens of thousands of workers in and out of government. SEIU and its 1199 local in New York City have spent $8.1 million on Obama’s behalf, plus another $108,000 to oppose McCain.

Other trying to undermine McCain include the Sierra Club (which has spent $177,000 on that effort) and Planned Parenthood (it's spending so far -- $102,000).

The Republican National Committee is leading the charge against Obama, spending $5.75 million on polling and other efforts to oppose his election.

Using money from Texas billionaire Harold Simmons, the conservative American Issues Project has spent $2.88 million airing ads blasting Obama over his ties to former anti-Vietnam war terrorist William Ayers.

The National Rifle Assn. has spent $163,000 to oppose Obama (who had some choice words to say about the group Friday in Pennsylvania) and his running mate, Joe Biden.

--Dan Morain

Comments

[Art]

Barack Obama does not need the money spent from these groups. He has MSNBC. MSNBC is so one side that it is beyond responsible programming. When I watched the Democratic convention on that "station". Actually just a Barack ad, it just kept rolling out these statements about how great he was.
When I watched the Republican convention, they talked about layoffs. It was so blatantly obvious that I just watch it to see how liberals think. Unfortunately the picture of how they think is scary. Almost anyone watching came away knowing why their viewership is almost the lowest on cable.

[Tom]

John McCain was captured an held in a prison camp for 5 years??? I had no idea! Was his dad a major player in the Vietnam war? wow!!

[Joseph Pihas]

The Republicans showed utter disdain for the American People. They held the Democrats responsible for the current state of the economy even though the Republicans were the majority party in every branch of government, Legislative, Executive, Judicial. They made the media the villain regarding coverage of Palin's daughter's out of wed lock pregnancy. All one would have to do is listen to conservatives speak about such young women and the families they come from before this. Huckabee used whatever credit he has with the public to try to make insinuations seem like truth. The list of such machinations can go on ad nauseum.. Underneath it all is a cynicism and a disdain for the American public as if these hucksters can sell anything. Who will stop them? I remember Bryan Williams calling Bob Woodard and CBS to task about airing the book about Bush. Williams whined that CBS never mentioned that CBS and the publishers of Woodard's book are both owned by the same company. He and his colleague held up portions of the book for fact finding. How come this was not done with regard to the Republican Convention by any network but PBS? Bryan Williams does not announce each evening that WNBC is owned by one of the largest defense contractor's, perhaps only second to Heilburton. That would give one pause as to think of how the news is spun on this station. It is as if the Ad Men or more like the cable series :The Mad Men" can sell anything to the American public. They did it 4 years ago and they are trying to do it again. Joe Pihas Long Island NY

[mgultch]

Watch C-SPAN and start thinking for yourself. I think all these adds and spending by special interests make for lively debate, but are lite on fact. We all need to actively participate in our democracy. Register to Vote! Then Vote! http://www.boppoll.com Here is a site you can register on!

[Tom]

In regard to Palin one speech does not qualify you to run the country. It scares me as well....if something would happen and she had to take over as our President....we certainly would be in worse shape than we have been with Bush....for the past 8 years. Palin.... basically is against everything that I believe in and stand for as a woman in today's world. She needs to realize that this is not the 1950's...we need to go forward not backwards.True she energized the conservatives...but what about the rest of us in the country.....don't we count as well. I am not interested in her view points and the things that she wants to change for the worse as far as I am concerned. We need to unify the people of the country....not continue to separate. We need the be for "We the People" not the coporations or the select few in this country. The back bone of this country was made up with people who were from many nations and different religions...who worked towards a better America....for all. Give us your tired, your hungry...things we used to believe in and stand for.Palin may know about shooting moose or caribou or even bears...but there is much more to life in general and the United States let alone the world...which she seems to lack knowledge on. She talks about abstinence....funny how she never had that conversation with her now 5 month pregnant daughter. People should go to the Phoenix New Times web site and read an article published on August 7, 2008....entitled....Post Modern McCain...and than maybe they will learn more about John McCain and what he really stands for.

[gorefan]

Palin may not have much experience but she has had a good teacher. She is refusing to release e-mails from her administration citing executive previledge (according to KTUU a CBS affilate in Alaska) Apparently, she learned from the Dick Chaney Book on Reform.

[kat1park]

Art, give me a break. Fox News is shameless in its support of Republican candidates. I fyou do not like MSNBC, watch Fox News or CNN. You're sure to be happier with what they have to say about your candidate. If you are offended by MSNBC, you should be disgusted with Fox News. Or should I say, the Republican News Network?