President Obama's campaign released its first TV ad of the 2012 election cycle, and it's a defense of his record on energy. The Huffington Post earlier in the week that the purpose of the ad campaign is to push back against attacks on the president that are being launched by third-party groups, which have been homing in on Obama's energy policies.

The 30-second ad is running in Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, all swing states. There was no immediate word from the campaign as to how much money was behind the spot.

The official said the ads will air in Ohio, Michigan, Virginia, North Carolina and Wisconsin — all states Obama won in 2008.