Mar. 17, Feature - More than $210 million dollars in total has been spent on campaign ads since the presidential campaign kicked off in 2007, according to an analysis by the Campaign Media Analysis Group. With the Democratic race still neck and neck, its estimated that more than $40 million dollars could be spent in the state of Pennsylvania alone, before that states primary on April 22nd. Andrew Stelzer has more on some of the most recent ads to hit the airwaves, and just where some of that money is coming from.

One of the first campaign ads of the 2008 Presidential campaign which became a story in itself, was Hillary Clintons Ohio TV spot, with a ringing phone late at night, while children are sleeping in bed:

Barack Obama's campaign criticized the ad as a scare tactic, more often utilized by republicans trying to make democrats look weak on national security issues. It's a theme that Clinton has continued to use like in this ad aired in Texas:

Narrator:
Barack Obama says he has the judgment to be president. But as chairman of an oversight committee charged with the force of fighting al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, he was too busy running for president to hold even one hearing.

Obama:
I became chairman of the committee, at the beginning of this campaign; at the beginning of 2007. So it is true that we haven't had oversight hearings on Afghanistan.

Narrator:
Hillary Clinton will never be too busy to defend our national security…"

In another strategy often ascribed to republicans, both the Democrats have been stressing their strong religious beliefs. A Obama radio ad which aired in Mississippi, featured former state Governor Ray Mabus, saying that Obama will, quote "practice his Christian faith by respecting us".

Clinton, meanwhile, aired this radio ad in Ohio featuring governor Ted Strickland.

Ted Strickland:
"I've known Hillary for fifteen years, admired her since the day I met her. "She's a person of deep faith, who is driven by deeply felt-values, everything she does is an effort to make life better for other people…."

And Obama's 2 minute long TV ad, which aired in Texas the night before that states primary, seemed designed to attract republicans and fence sitters.

"…I'm reminded every day that I'm not a perfect man. And I wont be a perfect president. But I can promise you this. I will always tell you where I stand and what I think. I will listen to you when we disagree. I will carry your voices to the white house and I will…."

While TV commercials continue to play a major role in the campaign, in Mississippi, much of the advertising battles took place on the radio.

Clinton Radio Ad:

Narrator:
"She's working to end the unfunded mandate on our schools known as No Child Left Behind... "

Clinton's Mississippi radio ads made several references to Hurricane Katrina.

Clinton:
"…If you're stuck on a rooftop in a Hurricane, you're invisible to this president, even when you're on CNN."

Meanwhile, Republican presidential nominee John McCain has yet to produce a new TV ad since the beginning of February. But McCain continues to be targeted in 3rd party ads, like this one paid for by the Campaign to Defend America, a group headed by Tom Matzzie, by the former director of Moveon.org

Narrator:
"Where does John McCain stand on the issues? A trillion dollars in Iraq over the next 10 years. McSame as Bush. A millionaire who's for tax cuts for Millionaires. McSame as Bush ……"

The McSame ad aired in Ohio, and the Campaign to Defend America has pledged to spend 1 million dollars to air it in other states.