Bilbray targeted in new DCCC ads

Included in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s newest round of radio advertisements targets is Brian Bilbray, a San Diego Republican who is serving his first full term in the House.

The ads, targeting 13 Republican incumbents nationwide and tied to the upcoming July 4 holiday, focus on the issue of gas prices.

“Wanted to thank you for continuing to support the Big Oil Energy Agenda,” a George Bush impersonator says in a mock answering machine message to Bilbray.

“‘Preciate you voting to keep giving billions in tax breaks to the big oil companies. Sure, gasoline is over four bucks a gallon and the oil companies are making record profits, but what’s good for Big Oil is good for America, right? Guess that’s why they call us the Grand OIL Party. Heh, heh, heh. Seriously, Brian, I know I can always count on you.”

Hear the ad here.

Bilbray’s seat falls in a largely conservative district that gave George Bush an 11 percent margin over John Kerry. His Democratic opponent, attorney Nick Leibham, is a political newcomer who is widely seen as having an uphill battle in his campaign for the District 50 seat.

Republicans, for their part, accused Democrats of trying to use the issue for their political gain rather than trying to find solutions.

“This kind of partisan politicking is pathetic given that gas prices are currently over $4 dollars a gallon,” said Julie Shutley, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee. “Democrats oppose expanding drilling for oil in the United States and refuse to vote on solutions to lower gas prices at the pump.”

The DCCC has placed Leibham on its list of “emerging races,” potentially putting the campaign in line to win expanded funding from the committee.