MO-Sen: Fox News sues Carnahan over ad

Nearly a week ago -- on September 10 -- Robin Carnahan started airing an effective ad against Republican Rep. Roy Blunt. You could see that for yourself, except that the ad has been removed (from YouTube -- it is still airing on television). Where it used to be on Carnahan's website, this is now what you see:

The ad was so effective that Fox News has sued to have it taken off the air.

What don't they want you to see?

In the ad, Wallace addresses Blunt and says, "You just said a moment ago that you have to show that you’re the party of reform but some question whether you are the man to do that. In 2002, you tried to insert language into the Homeland Security Act to help Phillip Morris tobacco [company] while you were dating that company’s lobbyist. And your campaign committee’s paid $485,000 to a firm linked to lobbyist Jack Abramoff."

Wallace then asks Blunt, "Are you the one to clean up the house?"

The suit alleges that the ad makes it appear that Fox and Wallace are endorsing Carnahan. It's an absurd claim, since obviously nowhere in the 2006 interview are Carnahan or Blunt's Senate run mentioned. But we know that isn't the real issue; in fact, this isn't the first time they've demanded Democrats pull ads for this reason -- and naturally, they've been fine with Republicans using their footage.

The hilarious thing here is that this was a week-old ad. Just about everyone who was going to see it, already has. And now it's going to pick up some earned media as a result of the lawsuit.