Richmond, Va. (AP) - A judge in Virginia has blocked a conservative group's bid to bypass federal regulators and run ads criticizing Barack Obama's support for abortion rights.

U.S. District Judge James Spencer denied a preliminary injunction sought by a group, The Real Truth About Obama Incorporated. The group, formed by anti-abortion activists, sought the injunction against the Federal Election Commission.

The group claimed its Web site and radio ads would amount to "issue advocacy" that is protected by the Constitution's free-speech guarantee. Spencer said Thursday that the group probably couldn't win on that argument, so a preliminary injunction is inappropriate.