Crossroads Grassroots pulls ads supporting Akin

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies said Monday that it has pulled its advertising out of Missouri following Congressman Todd Akin’s remarks on "legitimate rape."

41 Action News reviewed public documents filed with the Federal Communications Commission’s website, revealing that Crossroads spent more than $232,000 in Kansas City in the last two weeks.

The documents indicated the organization spent roughly $98,475 with KSHB-TV, $68,450 with KMBC-TV and $66,450 with WDAF. KCTV-TV had not posted any contracts with Crossroads GPS.

KSHB-TV had a larger amount because of higher advertising rates charged during the Olympics. For instance, one 30-second spot during Closing Ceremonies cost Crossroads $8,500, a contract showed.

The political files are related to a new FCC requirement for broadcasters . Beginning on August 2, broadcasters affiliated with the top four national television broadcast networks in the top 50 DMAs are required to upload their political files. Stations are not required to retroactively submit the political files.

Politico reported Crossroads had originally booked a new round of ads to start Wednesday, but began canceling them in the midst of the “legitimate rape” fallout on Monday morning.

“The act speaks for itself,” a Crossroads spokesman told Politico.

The most recent contracts reviewed by 41 Action News showed ads had been purchased through Tuesday.

Here is one of the ads that had been playing on KC area airwaves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgs06SxqfAw

On its website ,the Washington-based group says this year’s elections are a “watershed moment in American history.”