Freedom's Watch rolls out robo-calls against Giffords and Mitchell

Freedom's Watch, the conservative lobbying group formed in part to counter liberal organizations like MoveOn.org, is targeting U.S. Reps. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) and Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) in a round of robo-calls this week. The freshman Democrats' districts are among 16 nationwide Freedom's Watch has selected for the calls, which blame congressional Democrats for high fuel prices.

According to an accompanying press release put out by Freedom's Watch, the Democrats are being lambasted for "standing between Americans and increased domestic energy production."

"Instead of standing in the way of responsible domestic production," said Foster Morss, communications director of Freedom's Watch, "[Giffords and Mitchell] need to lead the charge to increase American oil to relieve the intense pressure residents are feeling from high gas prices."

Although Morss said it was the group's policy not to reveal the size of their media buys, he told PolitickerAZ.com that the number of residents who will hear the calls is "substantial."

In addition to the 5th and 8th Congressional Districts in Arizona, the calls are also hitting districts in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Here is the transcript of the calls:

Hello, I'm calling from Freedom's Watch with an important message on gas prices...

Earlier this week, the President lifted a nearly 20-year ban on offshore drilling.

And now the only thing standing between us and billions of barrels of American oil are Democrats in Congress.

In the short time she's been in Congress, Gabrielle Giffords opposed efforts to increase domestic production 20 times.

That's right, Gabrielle Giffords sided with Nancy Pelosi and liberals in Congress instead of us 20 times.

Call Gabrielle Giffords at 520-881-3588.

Tell her to stop standing between the American people and American oil.

Paid for by Freedom's Watch, 202-379-3742