Conservatives to begin spending nearly $13M in ads

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Conservative groups have announced nearly $13 million in new ad spending to counter President Barack Obama’s Democratic convention.

American Crossroads says it will spend $6.6 million over the next 10 days airing an ad that criticizes Obama’s handling of the economy. Americans for Prosperity is spending another $6.2 million on ads assailing Democrats’ health care overhaul.

The ads come as Democrats meet in Charlotte, N.C., to nominate Obama for a second term.

Democrats hope for a bounce in the polls after the convention, which ends Thursday night.

But conservative groups, operating independently from Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, are trying to limit any Democratic advantage by flooding the TV airwaves in states where the polls show a close race.