Strapped for cash, Trump yanks TV ads in key states as Biden spending surges

[sl8]

https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-10-10/trump-biden-television-advertising-battleground-states

Strapped for cash, Trump yanks TV ads in key states as Biden spending surges

By MICHAEL FINNEGAN, JAMES RAINEY
OCT. 10, 2020 3:53 PM

President Trump stopped all of his television and radio advertising in three states and substantially reduced it in four others in recent weeks after his lackluster fundraising left him unable to match a surge in spending by his Democratic challenger, Joe Biden.

Trump’s retreat from Ohio, Iowa and New Hampshire reflects his struggle to change the dynamics of a race that polls suggest he is on track to lose. In the six weeks since his party’s national convention, Trump’s campaign has yanked more than $17 million in ads he’d previously booked in those states.

Two of them, Ohio and Iowa, are must-wins for the Republican president. Polls show him running almost dead even with the former vice president in both. Trump’s withdrawal of advertising in those states — despite the risk — is a sign of his campaign’s poor financial condition.

“It seems the Trump campaign has reached the point where they have to do some triage,” said Travis Ridout, co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project, which tracks political ads. “They don’t seem to have enough money to run ads everywhere.”

[...]

[Withywindle]

1. Music to my ears

That's what the last undecideds need to hear. He's not a great businessman or even a competent one. He is BROKE. And he is so far in debt, he is OWNED.

By whom? That's what the American people deserve to know.

[TexasTowelie]

2. Can a political campaign file for bankruptcy?

[helpisontheway]

3. Love to hear this but I'm pretty sure Hillary spent more than he did in 2020 too. Nt

[Turin_C3PO]

10. Yes but

Trump got free campaign time from all the networks which must have been the equivalent of a billion dollars in ads. This year he's not getting that kind of coverage. He's getting a little but not near as much as 2016.

[mikeargo]

4. Haven't seen a Trump ad in weeks

Here in NH

[doc03]

5. This could also mean they feel they don't need to.

I don't see Ohio going for Biden. These people are nuts.

[Statistical]

9. Ohio likely will go red but it isn't guaranteed

A well funded campaign would still be running ads there defensively. If Biden wins Ohio Trump is dead.

At this point Trump can't afford defense. His campaign has to just assume they will win Ohio and put money towards less sure states.

[Tribetime]

11. Call me nuts then. The polls are very close

It went blue in 2008 and 2012.

[Clearly fogged in]

6. I heard the strangest Trump radio ad last night and commented aloud

I was in maga land - car races at Southern Speedway. A country station played over the past system to fill gaps in the racing program. One of the warnings to the MAGAs said something like, a vote for Biden is a vote to continue the violence and rioting. I laughed and loudly questioned, it continues? It keeps going on?

The reactions surprised me. It was a moment of clarity for the trumpers and they looked at me quizzically, not with the usual hatred and rage. Don't get me wrong, they squirmed in their seats hearing Biden/Harris spots, and would rather chew off the offending arm casting that vote. We didn't gain votes - the victory is in seeing the most motivated voting bloc with nothing to get motivated for.

[OregonBlue]

7. "Two of them, Ohio and Iowa, are must-wins for the Republican president. Polls show him running

almost dead even with the former vice president in both". My assumption is that he thinks he already has the vote rigged there and it's in the bag.

[Johnny2X2X]

8. Seeing some here in MI still

But it’s much less than a week ago. Biden has 4 ads on for every 1 of Trump’s.

[GoCubsGo]

12. I'm seeing more Biden ads out of Georgia, too.

Which are also being seen by those of us over in South Carolina. Sadly, Trump hasn't yanked his, but at least Biden getting equal time, if not more of it.