Independent groups aim at McCain, Obama in new ads

Their messages run the gamut, but an explosion of outside advertising targeting the presidential candidates has the same goal: to provoke voters on issues from abortion and judges to killing wolves and John McCain's age.

One group plans to spend up to $1 million on ads attacking Democrat Barack Obama's economic policies and blaming the financial crisis on Democrats' lack of oversight. A nonprofit that advocates the appointment of conservative judges is spending about $500,000 on ads in Michigan, Ohio and on Fox News Channel questioning Obama's past associations, including with his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Planned Parenthood began airing an ad in three battleground media markets claiming Republican McCain and running mate Sarah Palin are insensitive to rape victims. The country's largest nurses' union has a hard-hitting spot that takes issue with McCain's age _ he's 72 _ that is appearing for three days in markets in six states. And Defenders of Wildlife expanded into new markets with an ad denouncing, in graphic form, the aerial hunting of wolves in Alaska, a practice Palin has supported as the state's governor.

These groups are the guerrilla troops of the campaign season. Their ads tend to be quick hits that run in smaller media markets and aim to make a splash with the media, donors and voters.

Their efforts so far have been relatively small, a fraction of what the presidential candidates are spending.

Evan Tracey, who tracks political advertising, said Democratic-leaning groups have spent more than $6 million on ads since June and that Republican groups have spent a bit less.

By contrast, Obama is spending about $13 million this week alone, and McCain and the Republican National Committee together are spending about $11 million.

Still, the most effective timing for independent ads is closer to the election. Swift Boat Veterans and POWs for Truth, who created a sensation during the 2004 presidential campaign with ads that called into question Democrat John Kerry's Vietnam war record, ramped up their advertising that October.

___

On the Net:

RightChange.com: http://www.RightChange.com

Judicial Confirmation Network: http://www.judicialnetwork.com/

Planned Parenthood Action Fund: http://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/

California Nurses Association: http://www.calnurse.org/

Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund: http://www.defendersactionfund.org/