MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – A Democratic super PAC wanted to run a 30-second ad during a Friday evening newscast on New Hampshire’s one network station – and was even willing to shell out the $10,000 that the station demanded.
Hours before it was set to run, however, WMUR-TV had to revise its contract with Senate Majority PAC and credit the group’s account. The reason: “Oversold inventory.”
Such is the life of even a deep-pocketed political action committee at this late stage of the 2014 campaign. Many of these groups want to keep spending in a final push before next Tuesday’s elections, as Democrats defend their Senate majority and Republicans drive for the six seats required to command it.
But often there’s simply no ad time left.
“Campaigns and third-party groups are finding it difficult to even find spots to purchase,” said Isaac Baker, who was a top official on the advertising team for President Barack Obama’s re-election bid and now advises some of the Democrats’ heaviest spenders. “And they’re seeing rates climb from where they were last year or even earlier this year.”