American Crossroads targeting vulnerable Senate Democrats — and passing the hat

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American Crossroads, the big-spending Republican super PAC that's been relatively quiescent since posting a less-than-impressive return on investment in the last election cycle, has resurfaced with some advertisements targeting some of the Senate's most vulnerable Democrats — and an ask for money.

The ads, which surfaced on Political Ad Hawk, Sunlight's mobile app for linking political advertisements with the sources of their funding, are nearly identical and attempt to discredit three Democrats up for reelection next year — Mark Begich of Alaska, Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana — over the controversial new health care law. All follow the pattern of the Begich ad, seen above, which shows the senator echoing Obama's promise that the legislation would not force Americans to give up health insurance that they like. In fact, some insurance policies that do not meet the requirements of the new law are being cancelled

All 70 seconds in length, the ads end with a request for contributions to American Crossroads, which was a major advertiser in the 2012 elections. The super PAC is connected with Crossroads GPS, a nonprofit that — unlike the super PAC — does not have to disclose donors. Both were founded by two GOP strategists: Ed Gillespie, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Karl Rove, longtime adviser to former President George W. Bush. After the last election, Rove had to defend both groups' performance. 

American Crossroads reported having just under $2.1 million in the bank as of June 30, its most recent filing with the Federal Election Commission.