There's a bit of controversy over a new television ad the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is running against North Carolina Republican Elizabeth Dole.

The ad begins with two old men in rocking chairs debating whether Dole is "93" or "92." It's supposed to be in reference to her "effectiveness" rank in the Senate and her votes with President George W. Bush, but is plainly a dig at the septuagenarian's age. It also stresses her "40 years in Washington."

Dole is actually 72 years-old. Her Democratic opponent, Kay Hagan, is 55.

But DSCC spokesperson Matt Miller pushed back, telling the Raleigh News and Observer in an e-mail, "It's not that Elizabeth Dole is too old, it's that after 40 years in Washington she's too ineffective."

"Dole should remember her own words from two years ago," he continued, "when she said that voters should elect a candidate with 'fresh leadership' over one who'd been in government for 40 years."

Dole was the chairwoman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2006, when she went on Meet the Press to advocate for then-Lieutenant Gov. Michael Steele.

"You look in Maryland and you’ve got a fresh leadership here in Michael Steele in terms of wanting to really shake up Washington. And his opponent, Ben Cardin, has been in government for 40 years."