Report: RNC buying ad slots in battleground states

The Republican National Committee may be going on the offensive on behalf of John McCain.

Ben Smith of The Politico reports the RNC has reserved ad slots in four key battleground states:

"Sources familiar with the media buys say the Republican National Committee has reserved advertising slots in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, large buys that could mark the first serious wave of televised attacks on Barack Obama.

Further details of the advertising plans were unavailable and an RNC spokesman said he was unaware of ad plans and of the substance of any planned attacks."

Obama's campaign quickly fired back, saying: "Since these ads will likely be attack ads that contradict McCain's pledge to run a respectful campaign, he can, and should, immediately reverse his plan to air them."