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McCain to crash Obama's party

Will run ads during breaks of network DNC coverage

Originally published 04:10 a.m., August 15, 2008, updated 02:58 a.m., August 16, 2008

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Sen. John McCain has so much spare cash on hand -- he collected a record $27 million in July -- that the Republican candidate plans to run campaign ads during the networks' coverage of the Democratic National Convention later this month.

Because Mr. McCain has agreed to accept $84 million in public financing for the general election, the presumptive presidential nominee has only until Sept. 4, when he accepts his party's nomination, to spend the more than $21 million he has on hand.

"We continue to have record months of fundraising. This is now the fifth month in a row that we have exceeded the month before," said McCain campaign manager Rick Davis. The candidate's advertising budget for August is expected to exceed $20 million, he said, and, by the Republican convention, Mr. McCain is on track to spend some $60 million on TV advertising during the whole primary campaign.

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Political strategists said airing ads during an opponent's convention makes sense.

"McCain now has enough financial resources to break tradition and advertise during the opposition's convention week," said Republican strategist Scott Reed, who was campaign manager for former Sen. Bob Dole in his 1996 presidential run.

"The McCain camp is building a case about Obama's ability to lead and needs to keep the pressure on his weakness with voters."

Democratic strategist Mary Anne Marsh said the McCain campaign's strategy illustrates just how much presidential campaigns have changed. In past contests, one candidate went quiet while the other had his convention, and the strategist said she can't remember a candidate ever airing ads during the other's party convention.