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Partisan fighting stymied efforts on the Hill aimed at addressing rising gas prices this month. Now, as lawmakers head home for July 4 recess with nothing to show constituents on the issue that tops most voters' priority lists, politicians are playing the blame game on oil prices.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is hoping to capitalize on what it bills as Republicans' refusal to compromise on energy policy. The DCCC launched radio ads in 13 congressional districts today, targeting GOP incumbents who, according to a release, "stand with George Bush and Big Oil while America's middle class families are being squeezed by the highest gas prices in history." The ads will play throughout the July 4 weekend.

The ads feature a Bush impersonator leaving a message on an answering machine for each of the targeted Republicans, thanking them for cooperating with his "Big Oil energy agenda." "Hayes-ey, Dubya here," begins a North Carolina version (subscription) aimed at Rep. Robin Hayes. "'Preciate you voting to keep giving billions in tax breaks to the big oil companies," the Bush sound-alike says.

Acknowledging that the cost of gas has risen to over $4 per gallon, "Bush" continues, "But what's good for Big Oil is good for America, right?" "I guess that's why they call us the Grand Oil Party," he quips, mocking Bush's trademark laugh, and he signs off by expressing relief that he can "always count on" Hayes.

The DCCC views all thirteen Republicans as vulnerable in their re-election bids. Many are facing challengers whom the DCCC has pledged to support with financial backing as part of its "Red to Blue" campaign, aimed at increasing the Democratic majority. The committee recently added 14 more candidates to the "Red to Blue" list, indicating that it is confident enough to expand its intended battleground for the fall.

DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., has repeatedly vowed to stay on offense, in order to ensure that the party does not see any reversal of its 2006 electoral gains, and his ability to do so is being boosted by a huge fundraising advantage over the DCCC's Republican counterpart. As of the end of May, the DCCC had seven times the amount of cash-on-hand as the National Republican Congressional Committee.