McCain launches Minn. political battle with new TV ads

McCain in New Hampshire
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee will begin airing TV ads in the Twin Cities on Saturday. Many political pundits expect McCain and his likely opponent Barack Obama to compete heavily in Minnesota.
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

McCain bought nearly $150,000 worth of ads on five Twin Cities TV stations. The 250 spots will run through late June.

It's the Arizona Republican's first ad buy in Minnesota. McCain says in the ad that he's running to keep the country safe, but he also goes through his family's military history and his dislike for war. McCain's campaign said the ad will run in Minnesota and ten other states.

The ad buy is another signal that McCain and likely Democratic nominee Barack Obama will compete heavily to win Minnesota.

Obama visited Minnesota earlier this week as he clinched the Democratic nomination. McCain will be in Minneapolis on June 19th for a fundraiser and may also make a public campaign appearance.

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