American Crossroads in The Playbook

Mike Allen reports:

EXCLUSIVE: The largest of the new Republican outside groups – American Crossroads and the affiliated Crossroads GPS, which so far had spent nearly $14 million on media buys this fall – today will announce a nationwide $4,245,000 advertising blitz in eight key Senate states, beginning today and going for one week, all on network affiliates. American Crossroads (the 527) will be on the air in Colorado with a $770,000 buy statewide, and is launching a $350,000 buy in Nevada, in Reno and Vegas. Separately, Crossroads GPS (the 501(c)(4) ) is launching a number of buys: $350,000 in Florida, $1,070,000 in Illinois, $310,000 in Kentucky, $315,000 in Missouri, $300,000 in Pennsylvania and $780,000 in Washington state.

American Crossroads discloses its donors but the larger Crossroads GPS does not.

AMERICAN CROSSROADS MINDMELD: As an aside, there was a lot of hubbub today about the DNC raising $16m in one month. You might mention that our juggernaut raised $14 million between Aug. 20 and Sept. 20, and with a much higher net (we’re at 5% total overhead). You could also tease that we are expected to make an announcement pivoting to house races in the coming week.

DAN PFEIFFER, White House communications director: “Anonymous special interests are hiding behind these shadowy groups to literally buy elections and the voters have no way of knowing who they are or why they want these politicians elected. It’s incredibly insidious.”

THESE TWO CROSSROADS SPOTS were available for preview:

--FLORIDA SENATE (notice the spot doesn’t mention the Democratic nominee, Rep. Kendrick Meek): “The choice is clear: Marco Rubio stood up for taxpayers by saying NO to the failed Obama stimulus. Charlie Crist embraced it. Marco Rubio opposed Obamacare, with its $500 billion Medicare cuts. Charlie Crist has flip-flopped. Marco Rubio says NO to Obama’s job-killing cap-and-trade energy tax. But CRIST was pushing it even BEFORE Obama was elected. Florida needs a STRONG leader to put a check on Obama’s agenda. That’s Marco Rubio. Crossroads GPS is responsible for the content of this advertising.” YouTube http://bit.ly/bMQVGi

--COLORADO SENATE (notice the script doesn’t mention the Republican challenger, Ken Buck – only the incumbent, Michael Bennet): “He GAMBLED with our teachers’ retirements. Facing a $400 million shortfall, Denver school superintendent Michael Bennet pushed the school board into a RISKY deal with Wall Street bankers. The result: MILLIONS lost. And Denver taxpayers paid 115 million in interest and fees. NOW, Bennet has accepted contributions from the same Wall Street bankers who cost our schools. Michael Bennet should work for US – not Wall Street. American Crossroads is responsible for the content of this advertising.” YouTube http://bit.ly/ca37tV