MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The 2012 Presidential campaign set a record this week, but it’s one that calls for a Reality Check.

The campaigns and their supporters have already spent as much money so far – it’s only mid-August — as they did for the entire 2008 campaign.

Reportedly, more than $500 million has been spent on political advertising.

The Romney campaign and outside groups spent $273 million on ads. Obama and outside groups supporting him have spent $239 million.

In other political news, there’s the birth of a new group of former Navy Seals who criticize the President for taking credit for the killing Osama bin Laden.

The Obama campaign is complaining that it is being “Swiftboated”. “Swiftboated” is now a common campaign term, used first against John Kerry for his Navy Swiftboat claims.

On the one hand, it signifies a false attack — dirty politics.

On the other hand, it is a political strategy to go after your opponent for one of his or her strengths, not his or her weaknesses.