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TV viewers in battleground Senate states have been bombarded with ads the past few months from virtually every group under the sun. All but one, that is: the tea party.

Several conservative outside groups that propped up tea party candidates and gave the GOP establishment fits during the primaries have yet to air a single TV ad during the homestretch of the election in key states, according to a review of campaign finance records and media tracking sources. By contrast, five of the leading conservative groups spent roughly $11 million on air during the thick of the primary season, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Their preferred candidates lost overwhelmingly to contenders backed by the party establishment in primaries.

The conservative groups have long insisted their mission is to elect Republican nominees in their own mold as opposed to Republicans, period even if that means exacerbating the partys civil war. Their absence from the airwaves, especially since Labor Day, suggests they really mean it.

(POLITICO's polling center)

It also underscores the lingering hostility between national conservative groups particularly the Senate Conservatives Fund and GOP leaders in Washington, a sign that the battle will once again be renewed after the elections and as the 2016 presidential race kicks into gear.

Some of these outside groups, like the Senate Conservatives Fund and the Club for Growth, have opted instead to bundle several hundred thousand dollars from their donors to a handful of Senate GOP nominees. They argue that it makes little sense to advertise late in the campaign season when TV stations charge higher rates to outside groups.

But that hasnt stopped other GOP and Democratic groups from spending tens of millions of dollars on general election TV ads. Other groups made their ad reservations for the weeks before the election earlier in the year, when they could lock in lower rates. And some that waited were still willing to pay a premium for late-booked ads.

GOP critics say the groups spending decisions expose their true purpose: to exploit intraparty dissension to boost their own relevance. Electing a Republican Senate is secondary at best, detractors say.

(POLITICO's 2014 race ratings)

Fortunately, the D.C. purity-for-profit groups are a distinct minority compared to the conservative grass-roots voters across the country who are working hard to hold the Democrats accountable and win back a Senate majority, said Brian Walsh, a Republican consultant and former spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Excerpt from:
Tea party sits out midterms air war