Senate Cat Candidate Hounded by Attack Ad

Me-ouch. Hank the tabby who's running a spoofy campaign for a Virginia Senate seat had no idea politics could be such a catfight. Hank's already being hit with a dog-eat-dog attack ad firing questions off about his birth certificate, tax returns (he hasn't filed any), alleged use of catnip, and whether a Maine coon cat has any business running in Virginia to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Jim Webb. "We need more facts and fewer fat cats in Washington," announces the ad, paid for by "Canines for a Feline Free Tomorrow Super PAC."

So far, Hank's managing to keep his cool and isn't ready to pack in the whole kitten kaboodle. "He's still taking his daily naps, and getting excited about cheese," campaign manager Michael O'Leary tells the Huffington Post. He's chalking up the nasty ad to Washington dirty tricks, O'Leary notes. And Hank wants everyone to know he's not a "fat" cat. (More Hank stories.)