Daily Disclosure: RNC spends $5.1 million against Obama

Introduction

The Republican National Committee filed a report Monday with the Federal Election Commission showing more than $5.1 million in independent expenditures against President Barack Obama.

The report shows the seven-figure sum paid for focus groups, media production and media placement.

According to press reports, the ads, which began running Saturday, encourage viewers that “it’s OK to make a change” and are airing in seven battleground states: Colorado, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia.

The RNC’s website and YouTube channel do not yet feature the new ad. A representative from the RNC did not immediately respond to a request for clarification.

In other outside spending news:

• Tea party-aligned super PAC FreedomWorks for America has reported spending more than $15,000 on Monday in support of Josh Mandel, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio.
• On Monday, Georgia Freedom PAC Inc. reported spending more than $5,000 on mailers in support of Doug Collins, one of three Republican candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives in Georgia’s 9th Congressional District. The primary there is scheduled for July 31.
• A new super PAC based in Arlington, Va., called Spend Smart America was established on July 11, according to a filing Monday with the FEC. Treasurer Christopher Bobbitt could not be immediately reached for comment.
• Americans for Real Change PAC, another super PAC based in northern Virginia, was established June 26, according to an FEC filing posted Monday. Treasurer Jake Menges could not immediately be reached for comment.
• Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, has formed a new political action committee called Kucinich Action, reports the Huffington Post. The PAC will support candidates who share Kucinich’s anti-war views and other pet concerns. Its supporters will be able to vote on which candidates Kucinich Action will actually back. No FEC filings are yet on record.