[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/12/steele.abramoff.youtube.jpg caption="A new DNC ad airing in Washington targets Republicans on ethics."]Washington (CNN) - With Democrats like Eric Massa and Charlie Rangel stealing headlines, Republicans want to talk about ethics.
The Democratic National Committee is happy to oblige.
The DNC has launched a new TV ad, airing on cable channels in Washington, D.C., called "GOP: Racked by Scandal." The 30-second spot is a response to an ad launched earlier this week by the Republican National Committee, attacking Democrats over the ethics questions surrounding Massa and Rangel.
The new ad hits back at Republicans, flashing images of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who stepped down in 2005 under a cloud of legal problems.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is presiding over "a caucus racked by scandal," the ad's narrator claims, as viewers are reminded of Louisiana Sen. David Vitter's prostitution scandal and an FBI investigation into Nevada Sen. John Ensign.
"Mitch McConnell and Michael Steele, they have done nothing to hold them accountable," the ad says. "After years of scandal, tell Republicans it's time to clean up their act."
UPDATE: RNC spokesman Doug Heye responded to the new ad.
"At the risk of providing Democrats some advice, the very week the words 'tickle fight' were thrust into the American political lexicon might not be the best time for Democrats to highlight ethics issues," Heye told CNN.