Has Obama spent over $400 per supporter in Iowa? Look at the numbers:

[Stop Cornyn]

By far, Obama has spent more in Iowa than any other candidate.

Obama has spent more than $9 million on Iowa TV alone. Since he's spent over $9 million on TV ads, his total expenses in Iowa surely far exceed $10 million.

If Democratic turnout is around 125,000 (as would be consistent with past caucuses), and Obama gets 29% (as would be consistent with his current polling average), Obama will have spent in excess of $275 per supporter for 36,250 supporters if you assume that over 90% of Obama's costs in Iowa went solely for his TV ads!

If you make the more likely assumption that Obama's $9 million plus in TV costs have been about 75% of Obama's total Iowa costs, Obama will have spent over $330 for vote in Iowa (assuming that Obama caucuses as well as he polls which many experts doubt)!

If you further assume that Obama gets only 22% of the caucus support (as would be consistent with December 28-29 Insider-Advantage Iowa poll, Obama will have spent a whopping $436.36 per supporter for 27,500 supporters.

WOW!

[IndianaJones]

1. if he wins, I'm sure it will be worth it. nt.

[rinsd]

2. In terms of campaign expenditures I would imagine both he and Hillary are between $12M to $15M

In addition to the TV money we know about, each has over 300 paid staff, direct mailers, etc etc.

[hayu_lol]

3. Campaign would have been easier and cheaper for all if they had...

just mailed checks out to the voters(caucus goers).

Imagine that. :^)

[alteredstate]

4. So? I've donated money to his campaign

and I trust him to spend it wisely.

[skipos]

5. If it saves us from Hillary, it will be worth it imo. nt

[fightindonkey]

24. If it saves us from Barack, it will be worth it IMO!

HA! Money down the drain. Nothing left for stupid tv ads in other states.

[Renew Deal]

6. He needs to win Iowa.

It helps him incredibly down the line. It helps him move into NH, and then SC. That's got to be worth the money.

[MethuenProgressive]

7. He's going to get about 3% of the registered Democrats.

And all of the Republicans. "Hope" he gets his money's worth.

[sandnsea]

8. Next time we'll just let the DLC candidate have it

How would you like that?

[laureloak]

11. Obama is as far right as Hillary.

[laureloak]

9. Is that how good he is with money? God help us all if he's

elected.

[madrchsod]

19. let`s wait till to see what hillary`s and edwards numbers are

after tomorrow before passing judgement on who`s spending the most money per vote...

[Tejanocrat]

10. That's an outrageous sum to pay for a vote!

[BeyondGeography]

12. First-term Sen. Barack Obama had some work to do with Iowans

running against the Clinton brand and a guy who was already a household name in the state.

He should be excused for using money coming from indiviudal donors to accomplish this task.

[sandnsea]

15. 32 offices in 17 states

When he gets ready to go national, it'll be done in an instant. All this money didn't goto Iowa. Sssshh.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post_group/ObamaHQ/Cg8H

[BeyondGeography]

16. Yup...and the thought that money buys votes is absurd

How's it working for Romney on the Republican side?

[THUNDER HANDS]

13. he had to

Next to Edwards, Iowa is the most important state for him.

Edwards HAS to win Iowa to have a shot at the nomination. If he doesn't he's done.

Obama does HAVE to win, but he can't come in anything less than a close second.

Hillary has the most wiggle room, provided she doesn't come in a distant third.

[MGKrebs]

14. I think a lot of the campaigning in Iowa is not just for Iowans.

With media the way it is today, they can campaign in Iowa and we get to see as much of it as we can stand no matter where in the country we are. Whereas if they were to travel to Oregon and Missouri and even Ohio, the media buzz would not be the same. The political media is all set up in Iowa so that's where the candidates will mostly be.

[madrchsod]

17. last i read the average is about 500 dollars

for every vote cast in iowa. hillary`s expeditures are about the same as obama`s. factor in all the rest and it adds up to a couple of corn silos full of money

[Stop Cornyn]

22. Average? No. No one's ever spent near that much

[Labors of Hercules]

18. Why not just hand out $100 bills to caucusgoers?

Same difference really. :shrug:

[madrchsod]

20. i was thinking about that but it`s illegal now....

closing of the bars and banning handing out cash...the sins of reform!

[Stop Cornyn]

21. Illegal but cheaper. Hell, before the Iowa suicide note, I'd have voter for Kucinich for free.

[AtomicKitten]

23. Obama has rejected 527s on his behalf in the primary and pays for all ads.

Can the other candidates say the same?

[fightindonkey]

25. And He's Still 20 Points Behind Nationally.

Oops. Write him a check.

[DURHAM D]

26. I am curious about how you arrived at the 125,000 turnout?

I recently read that the Dems had less than 60,000 in 2000 vs. 90,000 for the Repubs. In 2004 the Dems had more than twice that number but only because the Repubs had no caucus at all so they caucused with the Dems.

Upon reading that the Repubs did not caucus in 2004 and instead joined the Dems (in order to make mischief) I finally realized why Dean did not win Iowa.

[Czolgosz]

27. kick