CAMPAIGN AD REALITY CHECK

Friday, Oct. 6, 2006 | 7:42 a.m.

What the ad says

Announcer: Did Congressman Gibbons forget us when he voted to give big oil companies record tax breaks and refused to hold them accountable for gouging us? Did he forget or just sell us out for campaign contributions?

What the ad's trying to do

This spot returns to an issue that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dina Titus has raised before and is frequently used by Democrats against Republican congressional incumbents - the influence of Big Oil. The Democrats have lambasted Republicans for last year's energy bill. They say it was a giveaway to Big Oil; Republicans say it was chock full of incentives and progressive energy policies.

What's accurate

As for not holding oil companies accountable, this is a reference to the congressional response to skyrocketing gas prices last year. Jim Gibbons voted against a measure to authorize the Justice Department to prosecute and fine oil companies for price gouging.

Gibbons has taken tens of thousands in campaign dollars from oil and gas interests. Whether that has influenced his outlook or his outlook has influenced the contributors is always a matter for debate. We know what Titus wants you to think.

What's wrong or misleading

The accountability vote was part of a huge reauthorization bill. This is a frequent tactic used against congressmen - pull out one vote, even if it is procedural, to paint with a broad brush.