Republican incumbents strike back against Bush impersonator ads

Targeting by ads that seek to paint them as lackies for the oil industry and President Bush, Republican Congressional incumbents on Monday lashed out against the Democratic advertising campaign for making a joking matter of high oil prices.

The advertisements, by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, are targeting Republican incumbents across the country, including three in Pennsylvania. They depict President Bush, whose voice is done by an impersonator, leaving messages for the incumbents thanking them for their support of oil companies and saying "I know I can always count on you" with a chuckle.

In Pennsylvania, the ads are targeting U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach in the 6th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Phil English in the 3rd District and U.S. Rep. Charles Dent in the 15th.

Though English's campaign did not comment Monday, the others criticized Democrats for the attempt at humor. The ad has also spread further the widening gap between parties on whether or not to drill for domestic off-shore oil, leading the GOP again to demand action.

“They think the pain that American families are feeling is funny," Gerlach spokesman Mark Campbell told PolitickerPA.com. "They don’t understand funny. It’s really sad."

"This is a serious issue that deserves serious debate, and Democrats in Congress are the ones who are refusing to do anyone about it," he added.

Dent's campaign manager, Shawn Millan, sounded a similar tone.

"It’s time for the Democrats, especially our opponent, to get serious on this issue," he said, "It’s not a joking issue when gas is at $4 a gallon."