American Crossroads boasts $13 million haul for week, starts spending on House races
New York (CNN) - American Crossroads, the Republican group backed by GOP consultants Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie, will launch its first television ads supporting GOP House candidates this week, as officials there boast about a fundraising surge in the wake of White House attacks on the organization.
A spokesman for American Crossroads, Jonathan Collegio, says the group, along with its affiliate American Crossroads GPS, will begin airing television ads in eight House districts on Friday, and plans to go into 15 House races by Election Day. So far, the group's focus has been on Senate races.
Separately, Collegio says American Crossroads and American Crossroads GPS have raised $13 million dollars since last Tuesday, when the Obama Administration stepped up its criticism of the organization for its big spending against Democrats without disclosing donors.
"Obama and the Democrats are shining the spotlight on us and a lot of Democrats are going to have to address their thank you notes to the White House and DNC when they lose this November," said Collegio.
Collegio says the new influx of cash brings the total money raised to $56 million so far for both arms of the group. This comes on the same day that Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois becomes the latest Democrat to call for an investigation into the groups' tax status.
American Crossroads plans to spend $2 million dollars on its initial advertisements in House races, which will focus mostly on striking behind what Collegio calls the Democrats "firewall" – competitive seats, but ones Democrats see as safer than others. American Crossroads sources admit they are also hoping to force Democrats to spend money on races where they would not otherwise have invested.
For example, American Crossroads will air ads against Democrat Joe Donnelly in Indiana and Zach Space in Ohio. Democratic party officials have said they are more confident about those candidates, but officials at American Crossroads say their internal polling shows they are beatable.
The group will also air an ad against New York Democrat Maurice Hinchey in his district, which had been considered relatively safe. The American Crossroads source says internal data shows Hinchey is vulnerable, so the group is investing there since the Republican party is not.
In fact, although the group is not legally permitted to coordinate with campaigns or the Republican party, American Crossroads officials say they are closely monitoring where the National Republican Campaign Committee is spending its resources, so that they can help elsewhere.
Another example of that is in Hawaii. Republican Charles Djou won a special election earlier this year in what had been a long time Democratic seat. The NRCC is not investing in Djou's race, so American Crossroads made it one of the eight races where it will air ads starting Friday.
"That is traditionally a Democratic seat, and holding that is just as important as picking up another," said an American Crossroads official.
Other House races where the group will launch ads: races against New York Democrats Dan Maffei and Scott Murphy and Florida's Alan Grayson. It will also air an ad to help Republican Dan Lungren's re-election campaign in California.
American Crossroads is coordinating with other GOP groups also running ads in House races, including American Action Network, and the Commission on Hope, Growth and Opportunity.
The Commission on Hope, Growth and Opportunity was started by veteran Republican strategist Scott Reed.
An official there says the group is already airing ads in 15 House districts, and plans to invest in 27 House races by Election Day, with the goal of raising and spending $25 million.
What gender is Rove? He (?) looks like a plump eunuch.
Yes We Can (Lose)!
Its going to take a lot more than that to pay their legal bills when the truth is out.
I'm no fan of the Dems but I sure as heck won't vote Rep. now. I'm a blue collar worker and the Rove/Gillispie/CC groups are selling us middle class Americans down the river. I hope to God others wake up and realize that their foreign government masters will call in their markers. WE the middle class will pay by having MORE jobs outsourced. I'm sick and tired of this B.S. and I will be at the polls to vote. The GOP and their foreign masters can Kiss this workers arse and go to hades.
THE GREAT FIRE SALE OF AMERICA! EVERYTHING IS ON SALE: SUPREME COURT, SENATE SEATS, HOUSE SEATS, CONGRESS, REGULATION, IMMIGRATION, APPOINTMENTS, LEGISLATION, LAW ENFORCEMENT, JOBS, TAX CODE, ANYTHING OF VALUE.
Maybe the LORD allowed the miners in Chile to be trapped so that the world could see a nation who demonstrates value and concern for human life and how people are treated. The Chileans sparred no expense on the miners and their families. It was wonderful to watch – finally, money wasn't GOD!
If Karl 'the toad' Rove is crying like a little girl, then we are doing something right.
From these posts from the republican hate machine I wonder who they are working for ! Corporate lobbists or International lobbiists. They are not from mainstream Americans who do not want their votes deluted by the corpoate powers. These are the same guys that swift boated us into the Bush years. Do you not think that the corporate moneys are taking our freedoms away ?
Sonny Chapman, How ironic that you quote a highly fictional source for your post! Freaudian slip there or what?
To 21 Days until Socialism dies in the United States, barry, stufit, and Charlie: Be careful what you wish for. All of these "contributors" are going to want something back for their money. That is the reason they turned on Obama; He didn't play along. He didn't give anything back (Newsweek and Time's words, not mine). Oops, sorry, quoting that yellow journalism again! It has to be from Fox News or it just isn't true.
Wait until the Social Security changes, health care changes, tax law changes, subsidy changes, etc. that the tea party candidates that you republicans so welcomed with open arms now try to put into law. You will be just as outraged as the rest of us. How dare they actually do what they campaign on!!!! What did you expect?
This soft money is a very slippery slope. Yep, Obama probably used it. So did Bush. So will the next president. The problem I have is spending so much outside money on local races (both democrat and republican). This really shows how broken our political process has become.
Interesting how now the liberals are complaining. If it wa good enough in 2008, it is good enough now. Besides, whose accounting for all the money for big unions, or does that not count, liberals?
Why do Democrats knock corporate America, but defend unions, when they have shown to be thieves and crooks since the Mafia took them over. Ask JFK!
I wonder why Democrats are griping because the Republicans are getting money from undisclosed donors. The GOP are within their rights to take the money and rejoice. The Dems are equally free to seek their own worldwide donors too (Latin American government proxies supporting immigration rights; moderate Muslims; gays and lesbians worldwide; etc.,). Nobody has to disclose the list of the donors so it's fair game according to the Supreme Court of morons.
Well American.. you wanted it now it looks like you may have it.. Can't wait till Sen. Sharron Angle votes to stop all unemployment insurance, stop funding to the FDA, and EPA and start state run media that in her words " are friendly" and "report what she wants them to report". We will have loads of fun giving our money to the corporations because we have to buy their water because we have no epa to keep our water clean. And if you think Mechanically separated chicken that looks like pink playdough is bad...just wait till we have "chicken like" meat imported from China that is made with Lord knows what. And then Rand Paul can lead the charge to repeal the 1964 Civil rights legislation, because the minority vote is just a nusance anyways. And Congress Person Iott comming to vote (against) on civil rights legislation and foriegn policy bills in his Nazi reinactment uniform... And President Palin declaring we are going to bomb Iran, Russia ( becasue she can see it from her house and they are a threat) and Canada ( because their commie loving socialist with their socialized medicine) Yep.. Can't wait to see that American.. coming at you soon....
@21 day..., stufit, and charlie. After reading so many posts from you three, you will NEVER convince me that you are not on the GOP payroll. You're credibility with me is nill. This is one independent that will not buy into your BS.
This election truly is a choice about our future direction. Unions and liberal groups like Moveon.org have had things to themselves for a long time. I hate how much money is spent on elections – think what could be done in the fight against cancer instead – but let's at least have a level playing field, as "unfair" as the Dems think that is now that the other side has it figured out.
I see that the conservative operatives are out in force – 6 posts in 2 minutes. And nothing new in any of the posts. When certain Americans call their President "snake oil salesman", Obozo and the like, it undermines any point-of-view they may have and puts them in the "fruit-cake" category of People We Should Listen To and Respect.
THANKS OBAMA!!! You've turned into the greatest fundraiser for the Republicans and the Tea Party. It's great to know that most americans are still smart enough to know when they have been sold a bum steer. ELIMINATE LIBERALS AND PROGRESSIVES FOREVER !!!
They can spend money hand over fist but that will not keep me from the polls and voting Dem for the first time in my life. NO WAY am I going to stand still and watch these bozo's sell America AND our jobs to foreign companies/countries. No amount of money can buy this American's vote.
It would be nice if American voters decided elections and not contributions from foreign countries and individuals. I had enough of Karl Rove's America for 8 years and do not want to see his type of America back again.
The Republican party doesn't care where the money comes from. They don't care what they're asked to do for those sources once in power. All the Republican party cares about... the one, sole, single, ONLY thing they are about: gaining political power.
That's it, folks. And anyone who thinks differently has been consuming WAY too much of their propaganda – paid for by God only knows who.
Where have all the cries for transparency in government gone all of a sudden. Republican's prove once again that they are willing to engage in political theater on issues supposedly important to them until the become the benefituary. Like all the cries for the constitution being upheld until they realized it contained certain things they didn't like now they want to amend it. What a bunch of phonies.
When the ignorant and the greedy overtake the country the end is near! My fellow Americans, I beleive the end is near.
How much does it cost to buy my Congressman Eric Cantor of the 7th District of Virginia? Millions and Millions
If you think his concern is your welfare then congratulations on being in the top 2% of Americas Wealthiest.
What is the difference between Unions contributing to a campaign and Forign owned companies contributing to a political campaign? If you don't understand the answer then you deserve a 3.00 an hour job
Unions are evil: They stopped child labor in this country, they were reponsible for the 40 hour work week, they are responsible for ending unsafe working conditions that killed and maimed both children and adults working under sub-human working conditions, they were responsible for a minimum wage as opposed to you having to work for 0.25 an hour. But you people are right lets return to our dark history and child labor and a country of poverty.
Sorry for the rant but the bullsh*t, lies and propaganda get old. This country has 12% of its total workforce in unions, 7% of that total is Govt. employees, that leaves 5% in the private workforce. Will any of you anti-union people please explain to me how 5% can destroy American industry? Answer, it can't. But you can bet that when it is finally gone and you have succeded that you will watch your 40 hours turn into 60 ( oh my thats already occuring) and you will no longer do just your job but 3 peoples jobs( oh my. thats already occuring) and your job will be precarious because the owners may ship it overseas for slave wages ( oh my, thats already occuring) and the only jobs in the help wanted section will be to service the wealthy elite like housekeepers in hotels (oh my, thats already happening too) So keep bashing the Republicans and keep bashing the Democrats because thats how they distract you imbeciles while they sell the country to the highest bidder and make the Communist Country of China the most powerful nation in the world, all for a few gold coins (GREED)
Apologies for any misspellings or typos
Colonel Karl Von Rove is using his foreign donations to buy ads. At least the republicans seem to be happy about selling democracy to the highest bidder, foreign or domestic.
Welcome to the true downfall of democracy, international corporations buying candidates and political parties. It doesn't go out with a bang, it goes out with a Ka-Ching!
Rove is just doing what he and Jack Abramoff have always done – bribery, corruption etc. The fact that many ignorant Americans refuse to see this is astounding.