February 24, 2012 • Slate
February 2, 2012 • Mashable
Are Google Search Trends Better Election Predictors Than Polls? Google has been busy documenting how the 2012 Republican primary affects search results. Newt Gringrich, for instance, experienced a huge surge in searches before winning in South Carolina. Stephen Colbert search traffic jumped ahead of all candidates after he announced his exploratory committee. And before the Iowa caucus, Iowans were searching for Ron Paul more than any other candidate.

Are Google Search Trends Better Election Predictors Than Polls?

Google has been busy documenting how the 2012 Republican primary affects search results.

Newt Gringrich, for instance, experienced a huge surge in searches before winning in South Carolina. Stephen Colbert search traffic jumped ahead of all candidates after he announced his exploratory committee. And before the Iowa caucus, Iowans were searching for Ron Paul more than any other candidate.

January 22, 2012 • Guardian
January 20, 2012 • The New York Times
Independent Spending Totals Since the start of the presidential campaign, independent groups have spent at least $29.7 million asking voters to elect or defeat candidates through television advertisements and other means. The most active groups have been “super PACs,” which can raise unlimited money from individuals, corporations and labor unions. Although these groups cannot legally be tied to a candidate, several of the most-active ones are run or advised by former associates or campaign staff; those are noted below with the picture of the candidate.

Independent Spending Totals

Since the start of the presidential campaign, independent groups have spent at least $29.7 million asking voters to elect or defeat candidates through television advertisements and other means. The most active groups have been “super PACs,” which can raise unlimited money from individuals, corporations and labor unions. Although these groups cannot legally be tied to a candidate, several of the most-active ones are run or advised by former associates or campaign staff; those are noted below with the picture of the candidate.