Karl Rove's Crossroads groups announce $65 million ad buys

CBS

(CBS News) The pro-Romney independent political group American Crossroads announced Monday a $40 million ad buy in eight battleground states, CBS News has confirmed, coming on the heels of a $25 million blitz by the group's sister organization, Crossroads GPS.

The American Corssroads ad campaign is for advertisements to run from Labor Day to Election Day with the goal of defeating President Obama.

Residents in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia will see the ads - states American Crossroads considers swing states and thinks will be up for grabs in the fall.

It is not expected to be the only ad buy by American Crossroads in the fall, because as the race progresses, the battleground states could change or become more pronounced. But the ads were purchased now because the rate is cheaper than when air becomes less available, especially as the presidential candidates purchase ads for a cheaper rate and have first priority.

The American Crossroads ad campaign is separate from a $25 million ad buy announced Friday by Crossroads GPS, a tax-exempt 501(c)(4) organization aligned with American Crossroads, but faces different restrictions. Per IRS regulations, Crossroads GPS can engage in political spending and advertising on issues but must also have the primary purpose of social welfare. Also, 501(c)(4) groups, since they file disclosures with the IRS, not with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), are not required to disclose their donors.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) is challenging Crossroads GPS' political activity. In a complaint filed with the FEC, the DSCC takes issue with Crossroads GPS and other tax exempt 501(c)(4)s for violating IRS restrictions and accuses the groups of raising and spending more on political efforts than they are legally allowed.

The complaint also argues that by filing with the IRS as a 501(c)(4) - and not with the Federal Election Commission - groups such as Crossroads GPS, Americans for Prosperity, and the 60 Plus Association are taking advantage of loopholes to bypass requirements to release the name of its donors.

"A Commission review will readily reveal that these 'Stealth PACs,' whose activities dwarf those of nearly all conventional PACs, have long been required to register, report and disclose their donors. Their time in the shadows is over," the complaint reads.

Jonathan Collegio, spokesperson for Crossroads, said "this latest complaint is virtually identical to the complaint filed by the Obama campaign and DNC two weeks ago - it is baseless, completely redundant and serves no purpose other than to generate headlines, as it was distributed to the news media before its recipients. Crossroads takes compliance very seriously."

[ParadoxisOK]

The outrage is as one other poster noted that the filthy rich are spending multi millions of dollars so as to keep their taxes low!!! $10 million from a looney with waaaay to much money in Nevada alone....I wonder what his tax bill is?! Surely it must be well over a 100 million dollars a year, otherwise, he is surely throwing his money down a hole! Or is he trying to buy the government to create his own little kingdom?

The PAC's of the right are trying to buy this government and put a lock on it for the next 25 to 30 years! They are doing their best to keep the minority votes to a minimum, but in time, the USofA will not be so lily white and maybe some equalization might come at some point in the future, but for now, it seems it might be that they, the monied interests are buying with their stolen wealth, the WORST government money can buy!

[Kestrel88]

Remember, Karl Rove is Bush's "brain". And that's not saying much for either one of them.

[lg144]

Ever notice republicans NEVER run budget deficits on spending to help average Americans? They ALWAYS waste taxpayer dollars on things to empty the treasury without helping people. This is strategic by republicans. They do this and then cry the country is broke and we can't afford that! They do this because they NEVER want average americans to thing government can help and enhance them. They ALWAYS use government to help corporations, big oil and the wealthy, not average Americans. This is why republicans ALWAYS speak negatively of government.

Wake up people!

This is why they have been on a 30 plus years crusade against governemnt. To convince average Americans that government is no good and cannot do anything positive for them. They use the term Limited Government" what they really mean is republican we limit governments ability to help and enhance the lives of average Americans while enhusiastically supporting corporations, big oil and the super rich.

Can any republican supporter state any republican bill, policy or current political stance that favors struggling Americans over corporations, big oil and the wealthy? Of course this looong list will justify republicans deserving the votes of struggling Americans over President Obama and Democrats, right? Republicans are using playing on the racism against President Obama of some voters to get them to vote republicans. Which ironically is the very party that has blocked and stopped ever piece of legislation from President Obama that would help average Americans. This election voters will decide whether to reward the republican party which ahs brazenly worked to keep them jobless or reward President Obama for constantly fighting against them on behaf of average Americans.

Wake Up Voters!

[becker333]

they need to go after the Communist Muslim's jugular and show examples of him purposely destroying America and trying to set Israel up for destruction as well.......Call him EVIL Damnit....

[marychgo]

Can ANYBODY enlighten us all as to what "social welfare" purpose Crossroads GPS serves? I've never seen any evidence that it does anything at all except run attack ads against Democrats.

(Of course, it DOES keep Karl Rove off the streets. Perhaps THAT's its "social welfare" purpose....)

[TJphoto]

It's turning from an election into an auction!

[ParadoxisOK]

These creeps are in the process of buying with big bucks the worst government that money can buy!

Is there no shame.