Scooby Doo as political fundraiser

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/09/art.harryreid.0309.gi.jpg caption ="Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid criticized the Republican National Committee Tuesday for likening him to Scooby Doo."]Washington (CNN) - When it comes to raising money, Scooby Doo is on the minds of Republicans and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Reid criticized the Republican National Committee Tuesday for likening him to the cartoon dog, although the Nevada Democrat acknowledged having a soft spot for the dimwitted, four legged detective, in a new email fundraising pitch.

"It's been a long time since I watched cartoons with my kids, but I recall Scooby Doo as a pretty good character," Reid wrote in the note sent to supporters. "He solved mysteries and caught the bad guys, pretty impressive - especially for a dog. But you know, it's true what they say: politics is a very rough business."

Reid is referring to a recent RNC fundraising presentation that compared Reid to Scooby Doo as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to cartoon villain Cruella De Vil and President Obama to Batman's nemesis, the Joker. The presentation came under fire from Democrats and Republicans for being in poor taste and RNC Chairman Michael Steele was forced to distance himself from it.

"I'm making light of this RNC presentation, but it's really not funny," Reid wrote in the email. "Using fear to motivate supporters is cowardly politics. Moreover, it's an admission that Republicans have no platform to run on other than saying 'NO' to just about everything, and obstructing change that Nevadans, and Americans, deserve."

Reid, who public polling shows is fighting for his political life, asks for a "small online contribution" and emphasized that the GOP sees him as a top target to try and defeat in November. He includes the RNC's side-by-side cartoon depictions of himself and Scooby Doo in the fundraising email.