Rick Perry to launch massive Iowa push

(By Ed Morrissey, Hot Air) - Can Rick Perry recapture the magic in Iowa? His team will spend $1.2 million to find out next week, “saturating” the airwaves, according to National Journal:

Perry’s campaign has purchased $1.2 million in airtime over the next four weeks, a source familiar with the ad markets said Wednesday. And new details of the spots he’s purchased show his team will pour at least $653,000 into Iowa television and radio this week alone.

The major spending is a sign of life for a candidate whose poll numbers have dropped precipitously. After a series of debate flubs send his supporters fleeing, Perry’s early fundraising success is proving a pivotal chance for the candidate to reconnect before a critical contest. Perry’s campaign raised $17.2 million during the first month and a half of his bid, and by the end of September he had just over $15 million left in the bank.

Perry has purchased 7,762 gross ratings points in three Iowa broadcast markets for advertisements running through next Tuesday, December 13. A 2,000-point buy in a single media market is considered saturation-level; Perry has purchased more than 2,000 points in all three markets, according to data provided by a Republican watching the Iowa ad market and confirmed by other ad buyers.