Isn't this lovely: A Republican senator is now using images of the 9/11 attacks in a TV attack ad for re-election.

The Republicans, of course, have just kicked up a huge fuss over the fact that Dems posted an ad with images of flag-draped coffins on the internet. Dems subsequently pulled that ad.

So I guess it's time to ask the National Republican Senatorial Committee: Does it condone or oppose the use of 9/11 imagery for political purposes?

The Senator in question is Mike DeWine of Ohio. In the ad, DeWine is -- and this will no doubt come as a great shock -- questioning Democrat Sherrod Brown's commitment to national security. As per the Toledo Blade:

U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine cues images of 9/11 hijackers, terrorists in training, and a smoldering World Trade Center to question his Democratic opponent's national-security record in a television ad launched statewide yesterday.

 

View the ad below:

The article continues:

Mr. DeWine's ad scolds U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown (D., Avon) for voting against increased intelligence funding, the Patriot Act, the death penalty for some terrorists, and other security measures. It references a Web site, www.brownvotes.com, and flashes between pictures of Mr. Brown; terrorist camps; New York City's burning trade towers on Sept. 11, 2001, and the hijackers who slammed airplanes into those towers, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field. "Sherrod Brown," the announcer concludes. "Weakening America's security. Out of touch with Ohio values."

This news -- which was dug out by TPM intern Michael Powell -- hasn't yet gone national, with the exception of a single Associated Press story. But this is important. Remember, Karl Rove has put the country on notice that he intends -- again -- to use national security issues to win the midterms. Here we have DeWine clearly using the national tragedy for political purposes. There's no other way to see this. And no doubt we're going to see much more of this from other embattled candidates. So again: Does the National Republican Senatorial Committee condone the use of 9/11 for partisan political gain? Maybe it's time for journalists to ask the NRSC that question. UPDATE: Props also to John Aravosis for getting to the story.