BY WESLEY P. HESTER

Karl Rove-founded conservative group American Crossroads is back on the air in Virginia with another TV ad attacking Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Timothy M. Kaine.

The ad, titled “Behind,” focuses on Kaine’s former role as Democratic National Committee chairman, which overlapped with Kaine’s governorship.

“When Tim Kaine went to Washington, he left Virginia behind. As Virginia lost over 65,000 jobs, Kaine put partisan ambitions first,” the ad’s narrator says.

“Why’d he do it?” the narrator asks as the ad cuts to a clip of Kaine stating: “The answer is to serve the president.” The ad concludes: “What about Virginia?”   

Kaine is facing Republican nominee and former Gov. George Allen in the race to choose a successor for the seat being vacated by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va.

Kaine’s campaign called the latest Crossroads ad “misleading,” pointing to inaccuracies in previous ads.

“Another day, another false attack ad by Karl Rove to help bail out George Allen’s campaign,” said Kaine campaign spokeswoman Brandi Hoffine, touting Kaine’s record as governor.

“As Senator, George Allen toed the party line, turning a record surplus into a massive deficit, voting against pay-as-you-go legislation and supporting the policies that led to near economic collapse,” she said. “So, this is a debate we’re happy to have any day.”

The 30-second spot, backed by a $1.6 million ad buy, will air across the state for two weeks starting today.