Posted by CNN Political Unit on March 8th, 2012
The most aired political ads of the 2012 election cycle prove it's a battle between President Barack Obama and Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney, at least when it comes to television advertising.
The five spots run most during the presidential campaign include commercials from the Obama re-election campaign, a Republican super PAC, the Romney campaign, a pro-Romney super PAC and the Democratic National Committee, according to a report from the Campaign Media Analysis Group (CMAG).
"The top five, while arguably not surprising, serve as a reminder of the general election campaign that awaits beyond all the state-by-state delegate math and discussion of GOP base issues," CMAG Vice President Elizabeth Wilner said. "Taken together, the ads focus mainly on economic and ethics themes."
The pro-Obama commercial, "Unprecedented," took the top spot with 6,190 views to date. The ad, which went on the air in January, sought to defend the president's record on jobs and ethics and issue a counter attack to criticism over Solyndra.
"Shovel Ready," sponsored by the conservative super PAC Crossroads GPS, went on the air in June 2011. It targeted Obama's economic record and aired 5,057 times.
The positive "Moral Responsibility" ad from the Romney campaign, narrated by the candidate, is still airing on television with 5,006 viewings to date.
"Values," a spot from the super PAC supporting Romney's candidacy, criticized rival candidate Rick Santorum over votes he cast while representing Pennsylvania in Congress. It aired 4,650 times and on television.
The Democratic National Committee promoted Obama's jobs plan, using footage from his address to Congress in September 2011, in "14 Months," which aired 4,387 times.
View the original CNN Political Ticker story.