State Senator Andrew Rice and his brother David

State Senator Andrew Rice – who doesn’t miss many chances on the campaign trail to talk about his brother who was killed in the 911 attacks (like here and here) – received another opportunity this week. A self described Republican businessman in Orlando, Florida has put up despicable billboards with the image of the burning World Trade Center towers that implores people not to vote for Democrats.

Universally condemned by both political parties, it is highly offensive to use this tragedy to try and score political points. That being said, it is equally disturbing that Rice has seemed to make his brother’s death the central focus of his campaign. We’ve noted several instances of Rice talking about the tragedy in his campaign material and videos. It’s a fine line and we know this, but has Rice begun to cross it?

From Daily Kos:

My older brother David Rice was a Democrat. He was killed on the 104th floor of the South Tower in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11th, 2001.

David was killed with Republicans, Independents, and Democrats. On that day, they were not members of political parties, they were Americans.

Some Americans and politicans (sic) apparently believe my brother was to blame for his own murder because he voted Democrat, which apparently surrendered our borders to those who want to kill us.

My brother was murdered alongside people who gave money to George W. Bush’s 2000 Campaign and voted for him. He died among others who did the same for Al Gore. He was killed alongside Christians and non-Christians. All of the victims had families who loved them. All of the victims and our families want Americans to be safe and free. All of us. Read more…