Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS Doubles Down On Gas Price Talking Points

onApr 13, 2012 @ 19:18 PDT

The Karl Rove-helmed lobbying group Crossroads GPS (in conjunction with their parent group American Crossroads) has decided to double down on the debunked talking point that President Obama is to blame for the spike in gas prices. Their latest ad, titled “Too Much,” specifically takes aim at the President’s claim (based on facts) that domestic energy production is at a record high.

Take a look:

It is interesting to note that in this ad, when they attempt to “debunk” Obama’s claim about domestic oil production, the source they cite as evidence is actually talking about only the oil production, a fact that they actually left in the ad yet conveniently ignored:

Politifact ranks this statement as “mostly true,” but that’s based on the words used in the ad. Yes, domestic oil production has fallen ever so slightly in the last year, but that’s because energy companies have moved their efforts into other areas – particularly hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and other forms of domestic drilling that doesn’t result in a barrel being filled with crude oil.

But because of Crossroads’ clever language, they aren’t technically lying to the American public.

This isn’t the first time that Crossroads has taken a shot at the President over gas prices. An ad released in late March simply titled “Gas Prices,” tells their untrue story:

Numerous media outlets, including DeSmogBlog, have repeatedly reported on the real cause of the spike in gasoline prices, as well as the increases in domestic energy production. As we’ve pointed out, the causes go far beyond, and are almost completely unrelated, to the President’s policies; having more to do with international markets and practices such as oil speculation.

But it is important to note that American Crossroads, a separate arm of Crossroads GPS, has received millions of dollars from the oil and gas industries in the few short years that it has existed, including $2 million from Chief Oil and Gas, and $1 million from TRT Holdings.

As we inch closer and closer to this year’s elections, ads from groups like Crossroads are only going to get more aggressive, and probably more untrue.

By Farron Cousins

Farron Cousins is the executive editor of The Trial Lawyer magazine, and his articles have appeared on The Huffington Post, Alternet, and The Progressive Magazine. He has worked for the Ring of Fire radio program with hosts Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Mike Papantonio, and Sam Seder since August 2004, and is currently the co-host and producer of the program. He also currently serves as the co-host of Ring of Fire on Free Speech TV, a daily program airing nightly at 8:30pm eastern. Farron received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of West Florida in 2005 and became a member of American MENSA in 2009. Follow him on Twitter @farronbalanced.