Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney launched a multimillion-dollar purchase of television ads Thursday, in a last-ditch effort to remain competitive with GOP presidential front-runner John McCain in the Super Tuesday contests.
Sources familiar with Romney's plans said the ad buy would exceed $1 million in California alone, enough to give the former Massachusetts governor a presence in much of the state. Romney also was expected to spread some money around to some of the other 20 states holding GOP primaries or caucuses Tuesday, though experts question whether the late advertising would have any impact.
"I don't think it's possible to flood the airwaves in 22 states," Romney said, but he nevertheless authorized "a seven-figure -- I won't give you the exact number -- but a seven-figure advertising buy for our campaign."
After a series of single-state contests in which voters could shake candidates' hands, the Republican presidential nomination could be decided by millions of voters casting their ballots after having seen the candidates only in advertisements or news reports.
Those political ads depend on candidates' ability to pay for them, and with the fields in both parties dwindling this week, the surviving candidates looked to pick up the support of former candidates' fundraisers and bundlers.
McCain has gained a substantial advantage in recent days, after winning this week's primary in Florida and appearing on front pages of newspapers and on television news programs. He also picked up the endorsements of former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, who quit the race Wednesday, and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Along with his wins in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida, he raised more than $7 million in January, approaching the $10 million raised in the final three months of 2007, his aides said. McCain is said to be considering advertising buys but has made none yet.
Fundraising shuffle
McCain's total was far less than the eye-popping $32 million-plus that Democratic Sen. Barack Obama amassed in January. That one-month total is more than he raised in any quarter in 2007 and would allow him to "aggressively" advertise in several Tuesday primary states, press secretary Bill Burton said. Obama raised $103 million in 2007 and spent $85 million.
The Illinois senator was staying in Hollywood after Thursday's debate; a sell-out crowd of 1,600 was to greet him at a fundraiser at the club Avalon.
