Outside spending in this year’s presidential contest has clearly benefited Mitt Romney at the expense of President Barack Obama.

Of the $117 million spent by political action committees on advertisements concerning the presidential race since Labor Day, about 75% (or $80 million) have had anti-Obama messages. Overall, 90% of the ads have attacked either Obama or Romney, while less that 10% have had a positive message.

American Crossroads, the Republican-oriented super PAC co-founded by strategist Karl Rove, is the top anti-Obama spender and the biggest overall player among outside groups focused on the presidential race. The second biggest spender has been Priorities USA Action, a pro-Obama super PAC.

Romney has needed the help from outside groups, due to Obama’s campaign outspending the GOP rival’s effort ($346 million versus $288 million).

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Romney Benefits from Post-Citizens United Spending (by Rachael Marcus, Center for Public Integrity)

Outside Campaign Spending Surpasses 2008…With 8 Weeks to Go (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)

Forget Super PACs; Big Campaign Financing is Coming from “Social Welfare” Nonprofits (by Noel Brinkerhoff and David Wallechinsky, AllGov)