ACA promise features in another U.S. Senate ad

American Crossroads is spending $3.5 million on commercials critical of U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan's support for the Affordable Care Act.

Posted 2:04 p.m. May 20, 2014 — Updated 3:13 p.m. May 20, 2014

Mark Binker

RALEIGH, N.C. — Crossroads GPS has begun airing an ad critical of U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan's support for the Affordable Care Act, part of a $3.6 million buy that will be on broadcast and cable through most of June and July.

The commercial begins with footage of President Barack Obama and Hagan promising that, under the law, what some call "Obamacare," people would be able to keep their existing health insurance plans and doctors.

Those promises, which were inaccurate, have been the centerpiece of GOP strategy aimed at unseating Democrats like Hagan who are running for re-election this year.

"Thousands of North Carolinians told their policies canceled, Hagan's promise on keeping your doctors, not true either. Typical Washington. Deceiving us, pushing their agenda," the commercial says, winding up by urging viewer to, "Tell Sen. Hagan, keep your word on our health care."

Crossroads GPS is a 501(c)(4) group. Technically speaking, it is a social welfare group whose primary purpose is not to campaign, although its commercial shares many of the hallmarks of a campaign ad. Crossroads GPS is the sister organization of American Crossroads. The independent spending organizations are known for their links to the Republican establishment and Karl Rove, an adviser to former President George W. Bush.

Hagan is running against Thom Tillis, the speaker of the North Carolina state House, who has has also targeted Hagan's support for the Affordable Care Act in his own campaign materials.

“Karl Rove is trying to buy a Senate seat for Thom Tillis because as Speaker, Tillis proved he would put the special interests’ priorities ahead of what’s right for middle class families,” said Hagan spokesman Chris Hayden, as part of a rebuttal to the ad.

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