Obama’s spending spree
Barack Obama’s presidential campaign collected more cash than any other candidate in U.S. history—an eye-popping $742 million. It spent all but $30 million of it. But where did it all go? Here’s an accounting.
By Kelsey Peters
Administrative
| Salaries and benefits | $49,974,707 |
| Travel1 | $44,650,151 |
| Postage/shipping | $15,736,248 |
| Rent/utilities | $10,808,852 |
| Supplies, equipment, furniture2 | $4,855,293 |
| Administrative consultants | $676,161 |
| Food/meetings3 4 | $437,144 |
| Misc. administrative | $16,564,691 |
1. Air Charter private jets $26.8 million
2. CDW $774,000
3. Carnivale Latin restaurant $12,100
4. Applebee’s $169
Campaign Expenses
| Polling/Surveys/Research | $24,018,564 |
| Campaign events | $20,261,145 |
| Materials | $5,530,759 |
| Political consultants | $2,200,513 |
| Campaign direct mail | $110,000 |
| GOTV (Get Out the Vote) | $65,760 |
| Misc. campaign | $420,314 |
Media
| Broadcast media | $308,964,991 |
| Print media | $15,355,720 |
| Internet media5 | $14,037,426 |
| Media consultants | $214,001 |
| Misc. media | $1,237,317 |
5. Facebook $483,649
Contributions
| Parties (fed & non-federal) | $25,526,757 |
| Contribution refunds | $3,839,849 |
| Candidates (fed & non-federal) | $3,985 |
| Committees (fed & non-federal) | $2,615 |
Fund-Raising
| Fund direct mail/telemarketing | $24,800,068 |
| Fundraising consultants | $1,065,287 |
| Fundraising events | $162,930 |
| Misc. fundraising | $1,483,939 |
Other
| Charitable donations6 7 | $122,455 |
| Federal transfers | $7,002 |
| Uncoded/unknown transfers | $671,699 |
6. Natl. Czech & Slovak Museum, Cedar Rapids, Iowa $500
7. Y-Me Natl. Breast Cancer Organization $52,600
Source: The Center for Responsive Politics
Photograph: AP Photo/Jack Dempsey
This article appears in the February 2009 issue of Chicago Magazine.
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