DNC Sets Up Independent Expenditure Arm

The Democratic National Committee has set up an independent committee to fund television advertisements in the service of electing Barack Obama, Democrats familiar with the committee said. An "independent expenditure" committee can't coordinate with Obama's campaign.

There had been debate about whether the DNC would set up an IE because Obama has railed against so-called independent groups spending in an election.

The AP reports that Jonathan Prince, a veteran of extra-party efforts like these and a former deputy campaign manager for John Edwards, plans to spend at least $18 million outside the coordination limits.