Vets for Freedom, a conservative-leaning organization of combat veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, has expanded the ad buy for its TV spot "Skipped" (subscription), putting it on the airwaves in Colorado and Ohio this week. The ad criticizes Barack Obama for holding no oversight hearings on Afghanistan and not spending more time in Iraq.

One of the targeted states -- Colorado -- is among the five that John McCain's campaign is reportedly pulling back from this week. The Politico reported today that the chances of a third-party, Swift-Boat-style attack on Obama are dimming. But there does seem to be a pattern developing of outside groups stepping into battleground states as McCain steps out.