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The partisan squabbles that stonewalled congressional efforts to decrease gasoline prices recently have shifted to the airwaves. The conservative advocacy group Freedom's Watch has joined the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in releasing ads in more than a dozen districts -- each aimed at blaming incumbents of the opposite party for skyrocketing gas prices.

The ads that Freedom’s Watch released Tuesday in 16 districts will run through the Independence Day weekend, like the DCCC's 13-district ad buy. In the one-minute spots, an announcer chastises lawmakers for voting against domestic drilling, even though "we have enough untapped oil in the U.S. to fuel 25 million homes and 60 million cars for the next 60 years." In the version (subscription) targeting Rep. Christopher Carney, D-Pa., an announcer contends that "producing our own oil would help lower costs and create more American jobs. But Chris Carney stands in the way while we cut back on gas and groceries, family outings and summer vacations."

Although all the ads send essentially the same message, Freedom's Watch went one step further for Reps. Nick Lampson, D-Texas, Travis Childers, D-Miss., and Don Cazayoux, D-La., citing more specific instances where the lawmakers either voted against or blocked attempts at increasing domestic oil production.

All the ads conclude with the announcer urging listeners to call the lawmaker named in the ad and convince him or her to "support American energy by supporting H.R.3089," which calls for more domestic energy production, including designating federal lands for drilling and building more refineries.

Freedom’s Watch spokesman Tim Pearson said the group did not release the ads in response to the DCCC's spots. He distinguished between the politically charged approach of the committee and the issues-oriented mission of his group.

Pearson cited data showing how energy continues to top the list of concerns for Americans -- and how most support domestic production -- and stressed the importance of resolving high gas prices by supporting candidates who are open to the idea.

"The tragedy is that when oil prices skyrocket, the middle class and underprivileged bear the brunt of the burden, which makes it all the more stunning that the members we’ve targeted aren’t taking on the liberal leadership in Washington and demanding more domestic energy production," Pearson said.

CORRECTION: The original version of this post incorrectly categorized Freedom's Watch. It is a 501(c)(4) group.