Daniels avoids Mourdock endorsement, appears in ad

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - There's a new controversy involving GOP Senate candidate Richard Mourdock Friday.

Democrats say his use of a photo in a TV ad is inappropriate. The photo shows Mourdock alongside Governor Mitch Daniels and it's what Daniels said in an appearance on a national cable TV show that caused Democrats to cry foul.

The ad in question is the endorsement of Mourdock by Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, an ad that hit the air Monday and was changed on Thursday to include a photo of Mitch Daniels.

Then, Thursday night, Daniels was on the Colbert Report where he was asked if he was endorsing Mourdock in the Senate race. "Um, I'm a non-combatant, actually, in deference to my new job at Purdue," said Daniels. "I'm not trying to duck your question."

Daniels said he has taken a vow of political celibacy. And that's what causes the Democrats to question his appearance in the ad.

"We think it's appropriate that the governor, given his standing and the fact that he's becoming the President of Purdue University, to ask the Mourdock campaign to remove his image," said state Democratic Chairman Dan Parker.

State Republican Chairman Eric Holcomb says there is nothing wrong with ad.

"The governor said he was a non-combatant and not actively involved in campaigns," said Holcomb, "but in part of that interview that was edited out the governor actually said he will be voting for Richard Mourdock."

Plus, Holcomb says, there is no need to airbrush the past.