Conservative group runs ads against Boucher in the 'fightin' 9th'

Americans for Prosperity, an anti-tax group that supports limited government and free trade, is spending $110,000 on an TV and radio buy against U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher (D) in the final push before the Nov. 2 election.

The ads, which will air through Sunday, accuse Boucher of "turning his back on Virginians by supporting the Pelosi-Obama agenda that's killing jobs" by playing a key role passing the cap-and-trade bill that will likely increase utility rates, raise taxes on businesses and leave people out of work.

"While Virginia businesses struggle to compete, the Boucher-Pelosi-Obama agenda is working against them,'' the ad says. "Call Rick Boucher and tell him his policies are killing Virginia jobs."

The bill passed the House, but not the Senate. The ads will run on network and cable channels.

Boucher faces his toughest opponent -- State House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith -- in two decades as an anti-incumbent mood has settled over the country, giving Republicans a chance to take back the House.

Those who oppose Boucher are trying to make him out to be a career politician who supported Pelosi's unsuccessful government bailouts and emissions limits that would cost Virginia 50,000 jobs.

Republicans across the nation are using similar tactics against vulnerable incumbents, testing whether anti-Washington anger will outweigh long-standing service.

Boucher, who has been in office for 28 years, has survived in a swatch of Virginia dubbed the Fightin' 9th by being an advocate for coal, tourism and gun rights.