2008 campaign costliest in U.S. history

USA - The 2008 campaign was the costliest in history, with a record-shattering $5.3 billion in spending by candidates, political parties and interest groups on the congressional and presidential races. That sum marks a 27 percent increase over the $4.2 billion spent on the 2004 campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which compiled the figures. The amount spent on the presidential race alone was $2.4 billion when all candidates and related expenses are included, the center found. more