W.Va. Gov. Manchin hits Raese in first ad

Gov. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is wasting no time going after his Republican opponent in the state's special election for Senate, taking aim at businessman John Raese with his campaign's first TV ad.

It's a no-frills 30-second spot with Manchin looking straight into the camera and hitting Raese for running a negative campaign.

"This campaign has just begun and John Raese is attacking me just like he attacked Senator Byrd," Manchin says in the ad. "Washington is filled with people like John Raese who tear other people down. No wonder we're in this mess."  

The popular governor was expected to have an easy road in the special election after Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) decided against challenging him. But Raese is largely self-funding his bid and has already spent heavily on TV ads. The latest Rasmussen poll in the race only gave Manchin a six-point lead.

Manchin and Raese are battling for the right serve out the remainder of the term of the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D).