Sen. Claire McCaskill's (D-Mo.) first TV ad of the campaign attacks her main opponents to date: outside GOP groups like American Crossroads and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which have been spending heavily against her while the GOP candidates focus on their primary.
"They're not from around here, spending millions to attack and attack. But what they're doing to Claire McCaskill is nothing compared to what their special-interest agenda will do to you," the ad's narrator says. "They want to end Medicare as we know it. Claire fights to protect it. They want more tax breaks for multimillionaires and oil companies. Claire cuts taxes for the middle class. They back unfair trade deals for China. Claire says make it in Missouri."
The Chamber, Crossroads and its sister group Crossroads GPS have
spent hundreds of thousands of dollars already against McCaskill. Her
response is significant: a $200,000 statewide ad buy, according to a
Republican ad tracker.
The ad shows the changing dynamics super-PACs and other big-spending outside groups have created in some races. McCaskill has been hammered on TV and radio by these groups, who have been as prominent in attacking her as her actual opponents. Her response indicates she sees the attacks as a threat.
She'd already responded this week by airing radio ads counter-attacking against a Crossroads radio ad buy on the issue of President Obama's requirement that all insurance plans cover contraception.
McCaskill likely faces a tough reelection fight in the Republican-trending state, although her GOP foes have so far failed to impress. Aside from the three in the race, Missouri state Auditor Tom Schweich (R) is also mulling a bid.
