Introduction
Crossroads Grassroots Political Strategies (GPS), a conservative group that has poured millions of dollars into attack ads, is airing a new spot mocking the glut of negative advertising as a way to amplify its own attack on Democrat Harry Reid.
Backed by Republican strategists Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie, Crossroads GPS is tax-exempt 501(c)(4) advocacy group connected to American Crossroads. The group’s new 30-second ad encourages Nevada voters to defeat the Senate Majority Leader, who is currently seeking a fifth six-year term.
The spot begins much like most attack ads, with a narrator’s ominous voice noting Reid’s 27 years in Congress. Images of Reid’s face and the U.S. Capitol suddenly splinter as the camera shifts to the narrator in a recording studio. “Wait a minute,” he asks into a microphone, “Are you tired of all these negative political ads?”
The narrator then looks into the camera, details the problems facing Nevada, and says Reid has made them worse with “ObamaCare, more national debt, [and] Wall Street bailout.” He concludes by telling viewers, “With that record, that’s really all you need to know,” as the words “NO on Harry Reid” appear on a black screen.
Crossroads GPS disclosure forms indicate that the group paid $545,450 to create and air the Reid ad. You Report: Election 2010 previously highlighted the group’s ads in Washington state attacking Democratic Sen. Patty Murray.
Jonathan Collegio, spokesman for Crossroads GPS and American Crossroads, explained the strategy behind the ad. “Toward the end of the election cycle, with increasing advertising by all parties and at all levels of public office, it becomes increasingly difficult to cut through the clutter and communicate a message,” he told You Report: Election 2010, “Which is why we went with an unorthodox approach.”
The ad will air through next Monday and may not be the last Crossroads attack ad against Reid. “As long as the race remains competitive, you can expect to see a presence there,” Collegio said. Reid is running against Republican candidate Sharon Angle.
The Reid campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
(Courtesy of Ben Smith of Politico)
Ad Title: “All You Need to Know”
Paid for By: Crossroads GPS
Cost: $545,450
Disclaimer: Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies (Crossroads GPS) is responsible for the content of this advertising. Paid for by Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. www.crossroadsgps.org
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