Political Ads Bombard Viewers, but to What Effect?

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Is there any escape from all those political ads in some of the most hard-fought states in the three weeks before the elections?

The TV ads come in rapid succession and at all hours- in the middle of newscasts, soap operas and talk shows. It's enough to turn off voters.

One analysis estimates the campaigns and independent groups will have spent about $1.1 billion on television advertising this year, with $750 million already allocated in states likely to determine the outcome of the presidential contest. Those are Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.

At least some voters tuned out long ago, partly because of the negative ads and a lack of specifics in the commercials. Other voters may already have made up their minds.