Obama to begin running TV ads in Minnesota

Barack Obama
Barack Obama, pictured here in Iowa, is the first presidential candidate to buy TV time in Minnesota.
MPR Photos/Tom Scheck

Obama has bought advertising time for this week through the Minnesota precinct caucuses on Feb. 5.

In all, Obama bought 200 spots on on six Twin Cities TV stations at the cost of $93,000. The ads will air on shows like American Idol, Late Night with David Letterman, Dance Wars and American Gladiator.

The campaigns for the other leading Democrats--New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards asked the stations about ad rates but have not bought time.

Records show that no Republican candidate expressed interest in buying TV time.