Click here to watch "Tougher."

As the North Carolina GOP faces mounting criticism over its inflammatory ad featuring the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the state's Democrats have proven they, too, can use racially charged imagery with the release of a new attack ad from gubernatorial candidate Richard Moore, the state treasurer.

The latest in a series of harsh attack spots, "Tougher" calls out Moore's primary opponent, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, for having voted in 1987 against a bill to widen investigations into "hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan." Both Democrats have worked to court black voters, and "Tougher" seems intended to erode Perdue's support with this group in particular, pointing out that "the entire black legislative caucus" voted for the bill.

Perdue was quick to respond, releasing a radio spot yesterday to stations with primarily black audiences that features former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt touting Perdue's record on civil rights, claiming that she "has always stood up for us." And today, her camp put out a TV spot with Alma Adams, chair of the state's legislative black caucus, defending Perdue and calling Moore's attacks "outrageous."

The North Carolina GOP, facing pressure from Democrats (as well as John McCain) to withdraw its ad, is crying hypocrisy, reported NBC News/National Journal's Carrie Dann. State party chairwoman Linda Daves released a statement telling Democrats to "clean up your own house before you tell us how to run ours."