Cash-flush Obama steamrolls McCain in ads

Mr. Obama, meanwhile, is using his money in creative ways: His face is seen on billboards along highways. But not real ones: his face decorates the billboards in the background of some video-game car races. He also has his own cable channel devoted to his own infomercials.

The Democrat also has gone for the under-the-radar messaging: hip Web videos starring entertainment stars such as Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Hudson and banner ads on the Republican-favoring, high-traffic Web site Drudge Report.

Mr. Obama will even address the nation on Oct. 29 for 30 minutes, a major purchase that will force a several-minute delay of the start of the World Series.

The deluge seems to be paying off as Mr. Obama has gained in state polls and retains a solid national lead.

On Wednesday, for example, Northern Virginia television viewers were told multiple times that Mr. Obama has the sensible solution to two “extreme” views of health care and thinks education is the bedrock of the nation and that Mr. McCain has adopted Mr. Bush’s economic plans. Voters tuning into the Northern Virginia news were asked, “Can we afford John McCain?” - six times.

The Republican did not speak up for himself - his ads were nowhere to be seen the entire day.