Bradley Buys Large Block of Iowa TV Ads

Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Bradley on Friday purchased nearly $1 million worth of television ads for January in Iowa, when caucuses there will kick off the nominating process.

Experienced political strategists said that it is unusual to buy such a large block of advertising so many weeks in advance, especially because air time is readily available in January after the holidays. Moreover, campaigns usually don’t like to tip their hands and reveal strategy so soon.

Details of the purchases were obtained from media consultants to other presidential campaigns. Bradley’s staff would not comment on why they were purchasing such large amounts of advertising time now.

“That’s campaign strategy. There’s an internal technical rationale, but I’m not going to discuss it,” said Bradley campaign spokesman Eric Hauser. “I think all the candidates are advertising in Iowa and New Hampshire in January. [Vice President Al] Gore was the first Democrat who advertised. He spent money in mid-October, so I think if anybody’s worried about making an earlier impression, look who bought time a month before we did.”

Chris Lehane, spokesman to Gore, Bradley’s rival for the Democratic nomination, said of the ad purchase: “Clearly Sen. Bradley and the campaign are going for broke.”

The latest buys bring Bradley’s total ad purchases in Iowa in the last two weeks to $1.4 million. But contrary to a report by at least one news organization, he is nowhere near violating Federal Election Commission caps on campaign spending in individual states.

Although the stated spending limit for Iowa is $1.1 million, Bradley obtained an opinion from the FEC on Nov. 15 clarifying that up to 50% of certain expenditures, including television and newspaper ads, may be considered fund-raising expenses that do not count toward a state’s spending cap.

The result is that a campaign may be able to raise and spend more than what, at first glance, appears to be allowed under federal rules.

“We are abiding by the rules utterly and completely,” said Kristen Ludecke, a Bradley spokeswoman.

Campaign spending caps are based on formulas that take into account a state’s voting age population.

Candidates often employ ways to maximize spending but avoid violating a state cap. The Gore campaign announced Friday that it would begin running two new ads in Boston today, one opposing school vouchers, the other a 30-second biographical spot. The ads will reach southern New Hampshire voters, but because they were purchased on Boston stations, only 17% of the cost will apply to Gore’s New Hampshire spending cap, under an FEC formula.

Gore is not alone. Most candidates are using Boston TV to reach New Hampshire voters.

Bradley, Gore and Republican contender Sen. John McCain will be subject to spending caps because they are receiving federal matching campaign funds. Each will be limited to about $40 million worth of total expenditures for the primaries.

Republicans Texas Gov. George W. Bush and publisher Steve Forbes can spend as much as they want because they are not seeking matching funds.