Between convention speeches come the campaign ads

TAMPA, Fla. — Outside the halls for the two national party conventions, the candidates and their deep-pocketed allied groups are airing millions of dollars of television commercials to reinforce the messages sure to be delivered within.

In Florida alone, more than $105 million has been spent on ads in the state where the GOP will nominate Mitt Romney for president. North Carolina, the setting of President Barack Obama’s convention, has seen at least $56 million worth of commercials during this campaign.

Both states are highly competitive and the two candidates are looking to capitalize on heightened political interest around the conventions.

Republicans begin a bevy of convention speeches Tuesday, culminating with Romney’s address on Thursday. Obama makes his nationally televised case for a second term next week.